O. Siegfried (Sigi) Krauss, Colorado Springs’ legendary, longtime chef, has been honored with the American Culinary Federation’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the ACF annual educational convention held at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, July 25-31.

The award recognizes an academy fellow who has shown outstanding dedication to the culinary profession. According to the organization’s website, “This individual is regarded as an industry trendsetter and possesses a commitment to excellence, providing leadership, motivation, and inspiration to colleagues and the youth of the culinary industry.” It goes without saying, Krauss has been the leader and shining light for the excellence of the ACF — Pikes Peak Chapter. For many, chef Sigi is known for his world-class culinary creations, and the warm ambience of his Briarhurst Manor Inn, which he opened in 1974 and sold in 2006. Many more in the industry will know him for his culinary apprenticeship program at Pikes Peak State College under the ACF, which many of the cities’ chefs attended. Or you may have attended the annual culinary shows in venues across the region that Sigi and the ACF hosted.

Krauss can be credited as an avid curator of the history of Pikes Peak Chapter. Krauss and members of the Pikes Peak American Culinary Federation gave seven scrapbooks to the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum’s Starsmore Center for Local History, the home of the CSPM Archives and Special Collections. The scrapbooks, ranging in date from 1959 to 2022, document the rich culinary history with photographs, newspaper clippings and ephemera.

Vegan grill open

Santana’s Vegan Grill has officially opened for takeout at 5609 N. Academy Blvd. There are many new menu options available with more on the way, namely bigger pizzas and combo meal deals. The menu has you covered for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pre-order at Doordash, Grubhub and Uber eats. Hours are 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays. Details: 719-368-6484, facebook.com/ santanasvegangrill.

Taste of Asia

The Japan-American Society of Southern Colorado will have the annual Japanese Cultural Festival and Bazaar at the Pikes Peak United Way Family Success Center, 1520 Verde St., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 25. Free admission and parking to the event, which offers authentic Japanese goods to purchase; enjoy kids activities, learn at workshops, view performances and buy food from vendors. Registration is encouraged but not required. jascolorado.org

Wine and dine at the Gorge

The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey kicks off the Harvest Festival with a wine dinner at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park’s Cafe 1230, 4218 County Road 3A, Cañon City, on Friday at 6 p.m. For $150 per guest, you get a nine-course progressive gourmet food and wine tour by executive chef James Miller with Innovative Colorado Cuisine and wines from award-winning Holly Cross Abbey winemaker, Jeff Stultz. There is free transportation to the park from Cañon City and back. Call 877-422-9463, or email info@abbeywinery.com for tickets. The Harvest Festival continues from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday on the winery grounds at 3011 E. Colorado 50. The fest is free to the public with plenty of parking, and features wine, live music, food, chile roasting and freshly harvested produce.