Denver Chef Elise Wiggins Lands National Cooking Show, Showcasing Italian Cuisine and Mile High Flavors
Denver chef Elise Wiggins is taking her passion for cooking to a national stage with her upcoming show, Cattivella Kitchen with Chef Elise Wiggins. Known for her deep love of Italian cuisine, Wiggins has been a staple in Denver’s food scene for decades, most notably as the owner of Cattivella, an acclaimed Italian eatery in Central Park. Her culinary journey began as a child in Louisiana when she discovered the joy of making others happy through food—a passion that led her to a 30-year career in the restaurant industry, including 12 years as the executive chef at Panzano.
Wiggins’ approach to cooking blends storytelling with science, helping people understand why certain ingredients and techniques have stood the test of time. Whether it’s adding carrots to bolognese to balance acidity or learning the history behind pasta shapes, she makes cooking an educational experience. That skill caught the attention of Eat This TV, a lifestyle network reaching 67 million households via Apple TV+, Amazon, Roku, and YouTube. After competing with chefs from across the country, Wiggins was chosen to star in her own 12-episode cooking show, which begins filming in Denver on March 16.
While this isn’t her first time on screen—she previously hosted Roots to Ranches on Rocky Mountain PBS—this show will bring her talents to a much wider audience. Set to premiere in late April or early May, Cattivella Kitchen will highlight Wiggins’ signature blend of classic Italian cooking with a modern twist while shining a spotlight on Denver’s growing culinary reputation. “The talent has been here for a long time,” Wiggins said, “and now it’s finally getting the recognition it deserves.”
