Inspiring Conversations with Francisco of 30Forth Kitchen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Francisco.

Hi Francisco, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My culinary journey began as a busboy and concessions worker at the Denver Zoo, eventually evolving into a corporate career where I served as Corporate Chef for Lucky Strike Entertainment. In that role, I oversaw eight West Coast locations, developed menus for all 22 venues, managed new openings, and traveled extensively for events.

Following my corporate tenure, I became the Executive Chef at Appaloosa Grill. When the pandemic hit in 2020, I played a key role in helping the restaurant navigate those challenging times. In November 2020, with the encouragement and support of my then-girlfriend (now wife), Monica Ruiz, we began curating meals for pickup and delivery.

Our growth was rapid; we went from selling five meals to 65 within weeks. This momentum led us to secure a commercial space and launch 30Forth Kitchen. The name is a tribute to the neighborhood where I grew up. “30Forth” refers to 34th Avenue (Bruce Randolph), which was the artery of my life connecting my parents’ homes, sports, and community activities. Our mission is a tribute to my community, food, and culture, enriched by Monica’s heritage from Querétaro, Mexico.

Together, we have built 30Forth Kitchen into an award-winning catering company serving both corporate and private events. We recently completed our fifth holiday season as the in-house caterer for Adams Mystery Playhouse in Denver.

As we approach our fifth anniversary in July 2026, we celebrated the August 2025 retail launch of our 30Forth Kitchen Chipotle BBQ Sauce.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey of starting a new business has certainly not been without its challenges. Like many new owners, we have experienced our share of ups and downs, including pivoting from offering an a la carte menu through delivery platforms, lost contracts and hiring difficulties.

However, these situations served as valuable learning experiences that helped us navigate the landscape. We are proud to remain operational and resilient, even as we have seen many other businesses open and close around us.

We’ve been impressed with 30Forth Kitchen , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We originally launched by offering an a la carte menu through delivery apps. As our catering business grew, we pivoted to providing specialized services for both corporate and private clients.

Our farm-to-table approach allows us to partner with small local businesses to source high-quality ingredients. This enables us to curate menus that align with our clients’ visions and elevate their events. Additionally, we are proud to support our community by providing meals for local non-congregate shelters.

We are most proud of our growth, having built this business from selling meals out of Monica’s apartment during the Covid shutdown to the operation we have today. By building strong partnerships, we have consistently become a top-tier vendor. This demand allows us to participate in a wide range of events, from corporate lunches and shelter services to curated four-course dinners with local wineries.

Knowing that the passion we put into our products and relationships has sustained our journey and created new opportunities makes reflecting on our growth truly exciting.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
To me, success is defined not only by what we have gained but by what we have been able to offer to others and our community.

This includes creating employment opportunities, achieving the milestones we set for our business, and the ability to operate on our own terms.

We also take great pride in our recognition within the community, such as being named the back-to-back People’s Choice winners for 2024 and 2025 at KUVO’s Live @ The Vineyards event and other recognition from local magazines & radio shows.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thirtyforthkitchen.com
• Instagram: thirty_forth_kitchen
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/30Forth-Kitchen-100069099938445/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/30forth-kitchen-denver
• Other: https://share.google/oQKWHvDtKbF1OWCYH