Sage Restaurant Group, the Denver-based independent restaurant group dedicated to providing innovative, playful and locally focused food and beverage experiences, is bringing its celebrated Departure Restaurant concept to Denver in summer 2016. With the expansion, celebrated chef Gregory Gourdet, the former executive chef of the flagship Departure Restaurant in Portland and a recent runner-up on Bravo’s “Top Chef,” is promoted to culinary director of the Departure Restaurant Brand.

Known for his ability to create highly flavorful, Asian-inspired dishes using minimal ingredients, Gourdet’s culinary finesse has earned Departure Portland several culinary accolades and propelled Gourdet himself to celebrity chef status. In his new role, Gourdet will be responsible for overseeing menu development and implementation as well as upholding brand standards at both Departure Restaurant locations.

“I am so grateful to SRG for always empowering me to create food experiences at Departure that truly reflect who I am as a chef,” Gourdet says. “I cannot wait to broaden the reach of the Departure brand by bringing those same food experiences to Denver.”

With details about the Denver Departure forthcoming, SRG has revealed that the restaurant will serve the same pan-Asian inspired cuisine as the Portland location. Unlike Departure Portland, which interiors are designed to mimic an ocean liner to evoke a sense of exploration, Departure Denver’s design and décor are inspired by luxury air travel.

“SRG continues to grow its portfolio of outstanding, locally-focused restaurants,” says SRG co-founder Peter Karpinski. “Chef Gregory has played a major role in increasing SRG’s popularity and recognition in the industry, allowing for the company’s continued growth, and we are excited for this opportunity to take his incredible talents even further.”