Combined, our management team has nearly a century of experience in fine dining.
Alan Teran, Owner
“The restaurant business is always changing; that’s what makes it challenging and interesting.”
A long-time Boulder resident, Alan has owned the Boulder Cork since 1981. He credits his highly experienced team and their ability to work together as a large reason for the Cork’s continued success throughout the years. With a trusted team in place, Alan is able to pursue one of his biggest passions: travel. By visiting restaurants both nationally and internationally every year, Alan is able to learn from and adapt the ideas of others in order to make the Cork better. “It’s important to understand who you are; you find your niche and you do it well,” Alan says. Alan has always enjoyed working in the full-service restaurant atmosphere and loves to use his experience and travel to continually improve the Cork. He feels the constantly changing restaurant industry forces him and his team to stay on their toes, always looking to improve, and that’s what he loves so much about the restaurant business.
Lucas Gilbreath, Chef
“Food became my form of creative expression, and the ability to share it with others, create smiles, and bring people together over a delicious meal, became my reason for doing it.”
A Colorado native, when Lucas was young his family opened a cafe & pub—it was his first job. It was also the place where he was introduced to the hospitality industry, and he spent his early career years learning as much as he could about it. He was involved in the opening of several restaurants in the Denver area. After making his way to Boulder where he worked with a variety of chefs, Lucas gained a new perspective for fresh food, seasonality, and the nuances of cooking. He says his role at The Boulder Cork “sort of fell into my lap.” He said it’s his dream job. Lucas appreciates the opportunity to provide customers with an elevated dining experience and bring people together with fresh local food. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, son and their dog.
Caitlin Cocco, General Manager
“I love watching multiple generations of Boulder families and friends come here to celebrate special occasions. Amazing memories are made here every day.”
Caitlin joined the Cork in 2012 but has been working in the restaurant business her whole life. Raised in a family of restaurant and hotel managers, Caitlin’s passion for great food and service is in her DNA.
Caitlin loves the family atmosphere and synergy of the Cork team, and with long-time employees and customers who become like family, it often doesn’t feel like a job.
As a Vermont native, Caitlin is passionate about supporting local farmers and small businesses and loves the Cork’s farm-to-table philosophy. As the Cork’s wine buyer, she loves being able to offer customers remarkable wines from across the globe, enjoys interacting with sales reps and wine makers, and hosting staff tastings each week.
When not at the Cork, Caitlin loves entertaining friends and family, trying out new recipes with her husband, a local chef, and raising their two young daughters.
Chris Menke, Assistant General Manager
“The Cork is a special place where people come together for the big celebrations and the little moments, and I’m proud to be a part of that.”
Chris moved to Boulder from Sarasota, Florida in 2016, where he found his place at The Cork. He began as a backwait, quickly moving to server and bartender. Chris has years of experience in service and hospitality, working in restaurants and bars in Florida. The most important restaurant may have been The Serving Spoon, opened by his parents when he was a boy, and where practically grew up. Chris feels most at home taking care of others and loves sharing his passion for good wine and food. With his time off he enjoys hiking, traveling, watching sports and spending time with his loved ones.
Gretchen Laborwit, Assistant Manager
Gretchen is thrilled to be part of The Cork management team, where she’s been establishing her roots for the last 5 years. Gretchen moved to Colorado from Maryland in 2012, and worked at Fate Brewing Co for six years. She returned to school to earn her Master of Fine Arts in Dance at CU Boulder and has performed with numerous local and Denver dance companies. Today she enjoys teaching dance and capturing dance photography. During the day she hits the trails with the dogs from the Boulder Doggie Adventure Program. Gretchen loves all things Boulder and is excited to continue her journey at The Cork.
