Think you might want to be a chef? One way to find out whether you can stand the heat of the kitchen is to become an apprentice where you work while you learn. The Broadmoor offers a three-year apprentice program that supplies a small salary and some benefits to chefs-in-training as they rotate through the resort’s 18 restaurants.

Chef wannabes also hit the books for practical training and attend classes for certification through Rocky Mountain Chefs of Colorado at the Warren Tech school in Denver. The RMCC, a nonprofit organization, also has an apprenticeship education program. To raise money for the program, The Broadmoor apprentice chefs will cook a seven-course dinner, including wine pairings, in the West Ballroom at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 17. Cost is $75 per person ($50 is tax deductible).

You can take advantage of special room rates of $150 for that evening. Call 1-866-837-9520 and use event code RMC08 for room reservations. Call 577-5733 to make reservations for the dinner only. Call 1-303-709-8494 to learn more about the apprentice program.

More tapas on tap

The Deco Lounge in the Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., has started serving a tapas menu 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Offerings include Peppered Seared Ahi Tuna ($9), Red Wine & Garlic Beef en Brochette ($8), Yucatan Tiger Shrimp Cocktail ($8), Roasted Garlic Hummus & Olive Medley ($6), Harvest Vegetable Salad ($4), Crème Brulée With Fruit Compote ($6.50), and Fresh Berries over Madhava Whipped Creme Fraiche ($6.50).

The food will be prepared by the culinary wizards at the FAC’s Café 36.

Meal deals

The Melting Pot, 30-A E. Pikes Peak Ave., is bringing back its Early Bird Special this month. For $27 per person (plus tax and 18 percent gratuity) you get a cheddar cheese fondue, California salad, an entree and your choice of chocolate fondue. Seating for the special is 4 to 5:30 p.m. Mention the Early Bird Special when making reservations at 385-0300.

There’s also a Late Night Special for $40 per couple, which gets you cheese and chocolate fondues and a select bottle of wine. Hours are 9 to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and 10 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

High country dining

On your next ski trip to Keystone, consider treating yourself to some highly acclaimed high-up dining at the Alpenglow Stube, or lower-altitude noshing at The Keystone Ranch. Both have been AAA Four-Diamond winners for 15 years. Alpenglow Stube, at the top of North Peak, is reached via two gondola rides. Visit KeystoneResort.com and click on “resort activities” to peek at menus for both restaurants. Call 1-970-496-4386 for reservations.

Foodie weekend

The Bon Appetit Culinary & Wine Focus will be held at the Beaver Creek Resort from Jan. 28 to 31. Events include the MasterChef Challenge, in which international and Beaver Creek chefs go whisk-to-whisk; a Grand Tasting; Celebrity Chef Ski Race; cooking classes; and wine and spirits seminars. Prices vary for individual events; a package ticket is $415. Visit www.bonappetitfocus.com or call 1-888-920-2787 to purchase tickets. For lodging visit beavercreek.com or call 1-888-323-7612.

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CONTACT US: Send tips about restaurant openings, closings, menu changes and food specials to teresa.farney@gazette.com or call 636-0271. Do you manage a restaurant? Send us your e-mail address so we can keep in touch.

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