Matt Selby, the acclaimed chef of two of Denver’s finest restaurants, Vesta Dipping Grill and Steuben’s Food Service, was recently honored as the Denver Campus’ latest Distinguished Visiting Chef (DVC). Jorge de la Torre, dean of culinary education, introduced Selby as “a chef who does more than cook: he gives back to the community and comes back to teach students." For his presentation, Selby prepared a recipe from his upcoming cookbook and talked at length about his career, starting with his first interview. Noting that a certain amount of nervousness is to be expected, he added that “a really good interview will end up more like a conversation —one that will naturally ...tell you whether or not the job will be a good fit." When asked about the many tattoos visible through his chef’s whites, he was pragmatic: “If you like showing your tattoos, then work hard enough so that you never have to interview again.” Born and raised in Denver, Selby has dedicated his life to food. He became Vesta’s executive chef at the tender age of 22, and his adventurous dishes quickly put the restaurant on the Denver culinary map. Since he took the helm in 1997, Vesta has been consistently named one of Denver’s ten best restaurants. In 2006, Selby developed the menu for Steuben’s, a retro-hip, upscale diner with a family-friendly menu of classic American comfort food. From Vesta’s eclectic global cuisine to Steuben’s regional American fare, Selby has proven his stylistic versatility. The success of both restaurants has brought numerous top chef accolades to Selby from local publications, as well as the dream opportunity to represent Denver at the James Beard House in 2005. Selby strives to better his community through activism, working with such organizations as Share our Strength, Operation Front Line and Urban Peak. He also teaches in several area schools; his ultimate goal is to inspire, educate, and entertain while exploring bold flavors, respecting ingredients, and honoring technique. Vesta and Steuben’s have set a standard for independent restaurants in Denver, and Selby takes great pride in creating unique dining experiences in his hometown. His view is that, ultimately, “All the success in the world means nothing if you don’t share it with the community that has fed your passions.”