The co-founder of an influential restaurant group with more than a dozen concepts in metro Denver is stepping down as chief executive officer, a spokesperson for the group said Wednesday.
Juan Padro helped build the company, Culinary Creative Group, into a chef-driven powerhouse featuring concepts like Tap & Burger, Magna Kainan, Kumoya, Señor Bear, Mister Oso, A5 Steakhouse and Bar Dough.
“We’re excited to grow our team as we continue to grow our company,” Padro said in a statement acknowledging his successor, Richard Flaherty, the former CEO of Punch Bowl Social. The change is “designed to position the Culinary Creative Group for thoughtful national expansion while preserving its founding ethos,” the company said.
Padro is staying on at Culinary Creative Group as a consultant and still holds equity in the company. He didn’t respond directly to questions from The Denver Post about the change in leadership on Wednesday.
The shakeup comes during an ongoing lawsuit brought by a former server at Kumoya against Culinary Creative Group and its service charges policy.
In February 2025, Marianna White sued Culinary Creative Group in Denver County District Court. Her original motion alleged the company was keeping employee tips under the guise of a “service charge” and paying a manager with the money.
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District court Judge Sarah Block Wallace responded to the motion on Wednesday in a formal filing, stating she would still schedule a trial date and decide on the pending question over service charges at an upcoming case management conference. One of White’s attorneys, Adam Harrison, did not respond to a request for comment.
Padro and co-founder Katie O’Shea launched Culinary Creative Group in 2010 with their first concept, Highland Tap & Burger, now just called Tap & Burger. His statement on Wednesday referred to the change in executive leadership as a “purposeful evolution” whose planning began three years ago.
Two others are ascending at the Culinary Creative group along with Flaherty. Blake Edmunds, the executive chef of Señor Bear and Mister Oso, is now the group’s chief culinary director. The company also announced its first vice president of marketing, Lauren Barash. Chef Carrie Baird remains with the company.
Culinary Creative Group’s portfolio also includes Ash’Kara, Ay Papi, Sorry Gorgeous, Forget Me Not, Fox and the Hen and the Guest. Several of its restaurants have gone on to be recognized by the James Beard Awards and Michelin Guide. Notable chefs at the company have included Max Mackissock, Carrie Baird and Edmunds.
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