festivalPass Stories

What is happening friends?! Your favorite podcast, festivalPass Stories is back with another high-profile interview. If you haven’t heard, the last couple of weeks have been a great sign for film. This can only mean one thing: the movies are coming back! And we have the perfect guest to break it all down for you. Let’s welcome the founder and CEO of Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, Tim League and Shelli Taylor. 

Since lockdowns and closures began around March of “the year that shall not be named,” our sources of entertainment dwindled to only what can be enjoyed in the comforts of one’s home. The popularity of streaming was already rising, and with Covid-19 shutting down most businesses, these numbers have exploded. Fast forward to present day, and there are “1000 services'' to choose from as our host, Pat Tully puts it. Taking away nothing from sites like HBOMax, Disney+ and Netflix, but the FPS audience is all about live events. Going to the movies will always be a magical experience, and none really do the movies quite like Alamo Brewhouse Cinemas.  

This isn’t your regular multiplex. Alamo is all the things that we sorely miss about going to the movies, but turned all the way up to 11. Tim’s vision started with just one screen. Now, Alamo is one of the best movie theaters in the country according to some of the biggest entertainment news publications. Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas offer a wide variety of local craft beers wherever you visit. Also, their exquisite chefs construct new menus that are influenced by the films that are being shown, like the African cuisine that was served during Marvel’s “Black Panther”. If you’re a movie buff, you will adore this place. Even if you’re not ready to get back to the movies just yet, you can still support the arts by going to their website and checking out Alamo On Demand, and purchasing some of their exclusive merchandise.  

It’s a travesty that theaters aren’t packed for some of the latest blockbusters like “Kong vs. Godzilla'', or the top of Tim’s list, “Barb and Star go to Vista Del Mar”, but that’s just our reality at the moment. With the massive stoppage, you have to think about the people’s lives that have been affected, and that has been Tim and Shelli’s focus. They’ve done so much for their community, their employees, and customers during the pandemic that you can only root for them to get back on top. Their passion for the movies is inspiring, and relatable to all of us here at Festival Pass. 

We’re only a few weeks away until the Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas in Brooklyn reopens its doors for the first time in a long time. This episode will give you a detailed look into the great things being done by Shelli and Tim, including bringing back the cast to a few classics, and FPS’s very first trivia segment. Tune in for more info on the May 7th opening, and to see who takes the movie trivia crown. 

“I’m not out to necessarily reinvent the experience. Bright picture, crisp sound, great stories, the lights go down, and you just lose yourself in the movie. Then you share that experience with your friend, and you get goosebumps after having it wash over you.” - Tim League (Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas)

Catch the interview on Festival Pass Stories! https://festivalpass.com/stories

You can find Tim & Shelli on:

Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas’ Website-https://drafthouse.com/nyc

Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas’ Twitter-https://twitter.com/alamodrafthouse 

Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas’ Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/drafthouse/ 

Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas’ Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/alamodrafthouse/

Connect with Festival Pass!

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/getfestivalpass/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/festival_pass/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/pass_festival

Website - https://festivalpass.com/ 

Welcome back Festival Friends! This week, we have someone who has collaborated with and attended some of the most high-profile festivals during her illustrious career. We give you the queen of fun, Jen Caruso. 

Getting the perspective of a seasoned festival coordinator is a big part of what we do here at festivalPass Stories. For those who see a future for themselves in the business, it’s important to know how live events differ when attending as a contractor, opposed to going as a patron. Luckily, we have one of the very best to break it all down for our wonderful audience. Jen Caruso’s story begins as a lover of music, travel, wine, and excitement. Looking at her work history, you might consider these as prerequisites. 

Jen has experience as a Project Manager and Director for festivals that we long for in this current Covid-19 reality. She’s worked as a stage manager for the behemoth South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, TX, (“Southby” for the cool kids). She was also the Festival Director at the Charleston Beer Fest. These notable events didn’t just fall into her lap, she had to start at the bottom first to earn the respectability of her contemporaries. There’s no telling how many signs you have to hold, or people you have to sign up for promotions. Jen Caruso is living proof that if you love to do something, your hard work will be recognized, and will pay dividends in the long run. 

The pandemic has not slowed Jen’s momentum in the game. Her company Caruso Presents, which focuses on branding and event planning, is still blooming in so many ways. Their clientele list is already impressive, including some of Jen’s personal favorite festivals like Bonnaroo and Life Is Beautiful. Some of Caruso Presents most recent partnerships involved Dreamland in Atlanta, and a live event for DraftKings that was done at Super Bowl LV in Tampa Bay, Florida. 

“Vision, hustle, heart.” These are the ideals that Caruso Presents is founded upon. There are a lot of hurdles before obtaining a title like Festival Director & Coordinator, and Jen has cleared them all. Listening to the episode to learn more about positions Jen has had in the past, that can also kickstart your career. 

“I am choosey…I don’t want a festival that just wants to do it to make the bottom line. I want a festival that has some backbone and has real things that are important that they get behind.” - Jen Caruso

Catch the interview on Festival Pass Stories! https://festivalpass.com/stories

You can find Jen on: 

Jen Caruso’s LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-caruso/ 

Caruso Present’s Website- https://carusopresents.com 

Caruso Present’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/carusopresents/

Caruso Present’s Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/carusopresents/ 

Connect with Festival Pass!

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/getfestivalpass/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/festival_pass/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/pass_festival

Website - https://festivalpass.com/

Hello festivalPass listeners, welcome back to another episode of festivalPass Stories! This week, our host Pat Tully interviews an insider of an industry that’s taken the live events arena by storm. It’s our honor to introduce President and Co-Founder of Grow uP eSports, Fernando Pereira. 

Video games are no longer the shiny new toy that they used to be. After decades of creating the market, huge strides in graphics, and expanding into cross-platform online play, gaming has moved home entertainment into another realm that many thought was not possible. Yet, if you think there’s no way that video games could get any bigger, think again. Competitive gaming, also known as eSports, has burst onto the scene. No longer is playing a game like Super Smash Bros, a friendly clash between bros. Now, some video games are played in front of thousands of people, millions of viewers online, and for a hefty purse. Fernando Pereira had this vision of a packed arena for a gaming tournament, long before the mainstream did. 

Before Fernando was known internationally as one of the pioneers of eSports, he was just a kid who loved video games. Growing up in Portugal, Fernando saw that video games could transition into a profession, especially in his home country where he noticed the potential growth in the industry. So, 15 years ago, Fernando started the Grow uP eSports gaming association. Today, Grow uP is the largest multi-gaming society in Portugal, and the company continues to expand rapidly. 

It didn’t take long for Grow uP to become a global operation. Now Fernando’s creation has thousands of members and teammates from all over the world. But still, what’s so great about Fernando and Grow uP eSport’s mission, is that it’s not just about dominating the competition and winning championships, it’s more about being ambassadors for the gaming community, and shedding a positive light on a stigmatized profession. They are doing groundbreaking work in this capacity; most recently advocating for diversity in professional gaming through the Girl Gamer Dubai Festival, which is an all-female gaming festival, formed to encourage talented young ladies to join the community. 

eSports isn’t just about competitiveness, it’s about meeting people and having fun. Honestly, there might not be a more entertaining and safe way to communicate in the age of Covid-19, than online gameplay. If you want to get invited to the biggest pro gaming festivals, join the Grow uP community today!

“Brands finally understood, if they want to communicate with a younger audience; it’s not watching tv, it’s not listening to the radio, it’s not reading the newspaper. They’re playing video games.” - Fernando Pereira 

Catch the interview on Festival Pass Stories! https://festivalpass.com/stories

You can find Fernando on: 

Fernando Pereira’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/imissapixel/

Grow uP ESports’ Website-  http://growupesports.com 

GIRLGAMER Festival’s Website- https://girlgamer.gg 

Fernando Pereira’s Twitter- https://twitter.com/imissapixel 

Connect with Festival Pass!

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/getfestivalpass/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/festival_pass/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/pass_festival

Website - https://festivalpass.com/

Hey there festival friends! Festival Pass Stories, the best live events podcast on the planet is back with another awesome episode. Our regular audience should know that we’re the home of artists, executives, and coordinators of live festivals, but we’re also the home of champions. It’s our honor to welcome Stanley Cup champion and Hockey Hall of Famer, Chris Pronger to the show. 

Becoming a professional athlete is no easy feat. Some of the most talented players in the world at their particular sport don’t get the chance to suit up on the biggest stage. That’s what makes Chris’ career a special one. The Canadian defenseman was drafted second by the legendary Hartford Whalers in 1993 and was named to the NHL All-Rookie team. This was the beginning of one of the most decorated careers in the history of the game. Soon, Chris’ talent and work ethic became highly coveted by every championship contending team in the NHL. 

During his pro tenure, Chris played for St. Louis Blues, the Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, and the Philadelphia Flyers; and he was a major contributor to winning where ever he landed. He’s played in the Stanley Cup Finals three times and won the trophy in 2007 with the Ducks. In 2000, Chris was named the recipient of the James Norris Memorial Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy (Top Defenseman and Most Valuable Player) in the same season. He because the first defenseman to win league MVP since Bobby Orr in 1972. The four-time All-Star also won Olympic Gold twice in 2002 and 2010 with Team Canada, becoming one of the few members of the Hockey’s Triple Gold Club. 

Life after the NHL has been even more fulfilling for Chris and his family. After 17 seasons as a player, and a few as front office advisor, Chris shifted his focus to life after hockey, and that plan was Well Inspired Travels. It all started with his wife Lauren, whose father was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. His remaining wish was to travel the world with his family. It’s such a touching story that Chris shared with us, and it’s the foundation of their business. What makes Well Inspired Travels unique from other travel services, is that truly want to get to know who you are, to put together a tailor-made vacation that will change your life. 

We are so lucky to interview a sports hero and family man like Chris Pronger. On and off the ice, he’s shown a passion and tenacity that will make you a winner in any aspect of life. Now, we just need the pandemic to end so we can utilize Well Inspired Travels, and get back to seeing the world. 

“For us, we were able to continue to invest in our business and hire some great people. Overall, we’ve used the time wisely…and worked on building our business from the inside out.” - Chris Pronger 

Catch the interview on Festival Pass Stories! https://festivalpass.com/stories

You can find Chris on:

Chris Pronger’s Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/thechrispronger/ 

Chris Pronger’s LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-pronger-831100b5/

Well Inspired Travels’ Website-https://www.wellinspiredtravels.com  

Well Inspired Travels’ Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/wellinspiredtravels/ 

Connect with Festival Pass!

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/getfestivalpass/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/festival_pass/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/pass_festival

Website - https://festivalpass.com/

What’s going on friends!? We’re wishing everyone a happy and healthy St. Patrick’s Day from the Festival Pass team. In the spirit of the holiday, we are honored to interview a legend of Ireland. A woman with a wealth of experience in the culinary arts, world-renowned chef, Maura O’Connell Foley. 

Maura has been in the industry in one way or another, for over 60 years. It was such a pleasure to watch her reminisce about how her career got started, and all of the lovely people that she had crossed paths with along the way. Most of us can’t remember what we had for lunch 24 hours ago, but Maura easily recalls specific details of her fascinating life, and the names of those special individuals that’s helped her throughout the journey, and a journey it’s been. Cooking is in her blood, and we’re ecstatic that Maura took our host Pat Tully through generations of her family’s history, and how the trade was ultimately passed down to her. Maura has been very blessed in her life, and so are we having the privilege to hear her stories. 

There’s something to be said about Maura’s determination. Dedicating decades to the mastery of her craft, it’s hard to believe that Maura is almost completely self-taught, and has taken only one brief cooking class in the 1960s. The London-born chef took control of her dreams when she would ask restaurants and hotels if she could work in the kitchen to gain live experience; something she believes there’s no replacement for in the business. After learning from chefs like the great Sonia Stevenson, Maura became a chef and owner of many successful establishments in the beloved town of Kenmare. Some of these places included cafes, grocery stores, and of course, the famous Limetree restaurant, and the Shelburne Lodge, which she and her husband, Tom still runs today.  

It’s amazing to listen to someone as revered in her profession as Maura is; especially during Woman’s History Month. What she’s been able to accomplish in one lifetime is astounding. After all the business that have flourished under her care, earning the coveted Michelin Red M, and reviews from the top publications in the world, it still might not be her greatest feat. Maura’s book, “My Wild Atlantic Kitchen” is a culmination of her entire adventure. It’s a recipe book like none you’ve ever seen, with beautiful illustrations and stories. It’s a must-have in every kitchen, so pick one up on Amazon right after you hear this podcast. 

St. Patty’s Day is always a fun and highly celebrated holiday. The Irish exude so much love, pride, and culture, that it’s a shame we can’t experience that energy the way we have in years prior. Nevertheless, chef Maura has us covered with her very own Patty’s Day cocktail. After all, Maura says that whiskey is one of the secrets to a happy life.  

“Things have changed so much. Now everything is artisan. Anything that’s good, artisan, and that has good ingredients, has gone full circle and survived. That’s what people want now.” - Maura O’Connell Foley  

Catch the interview on Festival Pass Stories! https://festivalpass.com/stories

You can find Maura on:

My Wild Atlantic Kitchen’s Website-https://www.mywildatlantickitchen.com 

My Wild Atlantic Kitchen’s Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/mywildatlantickitchen/ 

My Wild Atlantic Kitchen’s Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/MyWildAtlanticKitchen/ 

The Shelburne Lodge’s Website-https://www.shelburnelodge.com 

Connect with Festival Pass!

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/getfestivalpass/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/festival_pass/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/pass_festival

Website - https://festivalpass.com/

Welcome back friends, to the festivalPass Stories podcast! This week, Pat Tully sits down with one of the hottest up-and-coming indie filmmakers. So let’s take a deep dive into the independent film circuit with the talented director, Lance Oppenheim. 

Movies have always been a popular source of entertainment. Although the pandemic has halted the production of many film companies and kept us out of the theater, digital streaming platforms have grown exponentially over the last calendar year. For the indie filmmaker, these platforms are crucial in becoming a household name. Lance utilized sites like Vimeo to showcase his short films, and has six Staff Picks under his belt. After showcasing his hard work, Lance began to get the recognition that he deserved as an artist, and he’s been on a tear ever since. 

Using the momentum of his short films, Lance decided to take on the biggest challenge of his young career, making his first feature-length film. Lance had an idea for a short film but quickly realized that in order to tell the story the way he wanted to, he needed more screen time, which meant more resources. Lance tells one of the best “never quit” stories that we’ve heard on the podcast to date. After sending countless emails to Darren Aronofsky, (one of the most popular directors in Hollywood) he finally broke through and got the right eyes on his film catalog. After going through meeting after meeting, he eventually got an audience with Darren himself. Darren was so impressed, he decided to join the project as a producer. 

Lance worked on the film for months and poured everything he had into it. In 2020, “Some Kind of Heaven” premiered at Sundance Film Festival and it was a huge success. It was the first film that was co-produced by The New York Times, and Lance became the youngest filmmaker to contribute to the papers’ “Op-Docs”. The film continued to perform well, and the appreciation from the press and his peers became louder. Lance made the “Power of Young Hollywood” list by Variety in 2020, and Filmmaker Magazine’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film”. Lance used the heat the film created from Sundance to get distributing from Magnolia Pictures, who will be distributing the film this year. 

The Harvard graduate and 2019 Sundance Ignite Fellow winner’s career is just getting started. We’re honored that we got to interview him before the world knows the name, Lance Oppenheim. We’re excited for what the future holds for the film industry, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on Lance’s progression as an artist.  

“Knowing that there were other films submitted…I thought, ‘ok, it seems that people liked this movie.’ I put that in my quiver and kinda continued on, it just made me want to make more of them.” - Lance Oppenheim

Catch the interview on Festival Pass Stories! https://festivalpass.com/stories

You can find Lance on: 

Lance Oppenheim’s Website- https://www.lanceoppenheim.com 

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/lanceopp/ 

Vimeo- https://vimeo.com/lanceoppenheim 

IMDB-  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4565262/ 

Connect with Festival Pass!

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/getfestivalpass/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/festival_pass/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/pass_festival

Website - https://festivalpass.com/

What’s up Festival Pass fans! The hottest live events podcast is back with another episode, and we’re taking you behind the curtains of a prestigious industry. This week, we had the pleasure of speaking with Certified Sommelier and Real Estate Broker, Ellyn Cook. 

For those in our audience who aren’t familiar, a sommelier is someone who is a trained professional in the wine service. Just to put things in perspective for anyone looking to pursue a career in the wine industry, there are only 269 Master Sommeliers in the entire world! Ellyn’s love of wine was almost stumbled upon and wasn’t in her plans from the beginning. However, it took just one day for her to realize that she wanted to work towards education in wine. 

After years of hard work and dedication, Ellyn became a Certified Sommelier; but this was only the beginning of a bright future in the wine business. Inspired by her studies, Ellyn had a vision. She decided to take a six-month sabbatical to travel around Europe, and get even more hands-on experience. She visited Italy, France, and other European wine hotspots. Ellyn describes this time as an amazing experience, different from the lifestyle in her current city of Chicago. She was able to work at a cafe on a beautiful island in Scotland, and at a vineyard in Bordeaux. 

As COVID-19 vaccinations continue to roll out to the public, restrictions are starting to loosen once again; and hopefully this time for good. So many Americans have had to adjust during the pandemic, but unpredictable times can lead to something new and exciting. Sales is a skill that’s very important as a Sommelier. So, Ellyn decided to put them to use, not only in wine but in real estate as well. Ellyn loves to be busy, but also to have the freedom to explore her passion. Thinking back to her six-month stay in Europe, Ellyn decided to embark on a career as a real estate broker, to be able to live a more relaxed lifestyle in the long run. Wine continues to be her primary fascination.

Watching this episode really makes us miss wine festivals, remember those? Don’t worry, they’ll be back before you know it. Until we all get to raise a glass in person, enjoy being schooled by a professional. It’s funny, Ellyn totally disagrees with the movie, “Sideways”, so Merlot is cool again. 

“That was my favorite part about being in restaurants. Going in, knowing people, trying things off the beaten path, having the chef whip something up for you…it’s an awesome community.” - Ellyn Cook  

Catch the interview on Festival Pass Stories! https://festivalpass.com/stories

You can find Ellyn on: 

Ellyn Cook’s Website- https://ellyncook.com 

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/ellyncook_chicago/ 

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/EllynCookChicagoRealtor/ 

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellyn-cook-26887a10b/ 

Connect with Festival Pass!

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/getfestivalpass/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/festival_pass/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/pass_festival

Website - https://festivalpass.com/

Festival Pass Stories is the only podcast that takes you behind-the-scenes of all types of live entertainment. We have another special guest this week so prepare to be amazed. Host Pat Tully interviews professional magician, and comedian, Hayden Childress. 

In many cases, magic is the type of skill that is handed down to people who have a passion for it. That’s what makes Hayden’s career so impressive, he’s a self-taught magician. Hayden began practicing magic when he was a kid, and by the time he was 14 he was already doing birthday parties. He doesn’t really book children’s parties anymore because as Hayden started to grow as an entertainer, the events he performed at became larger. Now, Hayden has traveled across the country to put on live shows and has even performed for big corporations like Bank of America and Lowe’s. 

Magic is all about a magician’s connection to the audience, and that has always been Hayden’s number one focus. Entertainers and producers working past the hardships of COVID-19 have become an ongoing theme, one that was carried over from the year we shall not name. We can honestly say that putting on a show virtually, doesn’t quite have the same spark as the real thing. However, we have gotten accustomed to them, and virtual shows do have a lot of advantages. In this episode, Hayden gives us insight into what the adjustment was like converting to live stream, as a comedian and as a magician. 

With big-scale festivals being put on hold for now, Hayden has used the time away from touring to fine-tune his magic and his brand. He’s got a bunch of new tricks up his sleeve, and he’s performing them live on Zoom. Watching a live magic show at home sounds pretty cool, right? Not only does Hayden make the “new normal”, socially distanced shows fun, his act really gets the audience involved in ways you wouldn’t think possible. Hayden believes that the lack of live shows opened up new opportunities to meet new fans. 

Magic gives us all a sense of wonder, just like festivals do. It was our pleasure to host comedian, magician, and recent TED talker, Hayden Childress. Listen to his stories in this episode, and make sure that you follow him on social media, as well as Festival Pass.

“I like to challenge the status quo. That to me is what magic is about.” - Hayden Childress  

Catch the interview on Festival Pass Stories! https://festivalpass.com/stories

You can find Hayden on:

His Website- https://haydenismagic.com 

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/haydenismagic/

Twitter- https://twitter.com/haydenismagic 

Hayden Childress’ TED Talk- https://www.ted.com/talks/hayden_childress_the_magic_of_interactivity

Connect with Festival Pass!

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/getfestivalpass/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/festival_pass/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/pass_festival

Website - https://festivalpass.com/

Welcome back friends, to the 30th episode of festivalPass Stories podcast, sponsored by Dos Hombres. We have another famous guest this week, Emmy nominated host of “Bass 2 Billfish”, Peter Miller. 

There was always a connection between Peter and fishing. He learned everything about being a fisherman from his father while growing up in Tappan, New York. He can even remember thinking that he wanted a fishing tv show. But before he was given the keys to his own television program, he had to prove himself as a professional fisherman. After attending the University of Miami and receiving a marketing degree, Peter Miller validated his expert status as a fisherman with three world sailfish championships, along with over 100 prominent swordfish, sailfish, and marlin events. 

Now, with the victories under his belt at the top of fishing, Peter was ready to step into the spotlight as the star of his own show; fulfilling a childhood dream. NBC Sports launched “Bass 2 Billfish with Peter Miller”, and the show gained early momentum. It wasn’t long before Peter became a nature celebrity, and “Bass 2 Billfish” started to get a huge following. With multiple Emmy nominations, the Discovery Channel decided to double down on the brand, and started “Uncharted Waters with Peter Miller”. And once again, Peter has proven to be a skilled angler and a charismatic television host that the fans love to follow. 

One of the better perks about being a celebrity is the endorsements, and Peter Miller has his fair share if we’re being honest. Some of the top names in the sport like Bass Pro Shops, Invincible Boats, and Mercury Marine have sponsored Peter, and have built long-term relationships. Other big-name brands like Yeti Coolers, Citizen Watch, and Salt Life have also jumped into the Peter Miller business. Peter and his platforms on social media and television have millions of followers and viewers, allowing the partnerships between companies to flourish throughout his career. 

Not only is Peter Miller an exceptional fisherman, and a powerful brand ambassador, he is also a giving philanthropist and thoughtful environmentalist. Learn more about the charities and organizations that Peter has worked with in this milestone episode of festivalPass Stories.  

“My dad took me on a charter boat…and I caught a hammerhead shark when I was like 10. That was it, that’s when it really kicked in. I though I was going to have a fishing tv show one day.” - Peter Miller  

Catch the interview on Festival Pass Stories! https://festivalpass.com/stories

Resources:

“Uncharted Waters” Website- https://www.unchartedwaterstv.com 

“Bass 2 Billfish” Website- http://www.bass2billfish.com 

Peter Miller’s YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/user/PeterMillerFishing 

Peter Miller’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/petermillerfishing/ 

Connect with Festival Pass!

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/getfestivalpass/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/festival_pass/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/pass_festival

Website - https://festivalpass.com/

Welcome back friends, to another episode of festivalPass Stories podcast. This week, our host Pat Tully interviews the highly-acclaimed, chef Erwin Schrottner. 

Chef Erwin grew up in Ligist, a small town in Austria, right outside of Graz. This is where he found his love for food and cooking. As a young boy in the southern part of central Europe, Erwin got acquainted with live stock, fruits, vegetables, and the importance of fresh food on his family’s farm. Just about every ingredient that they needed was grown on their farm; he even recalls the farm having beehives for fresh honey. When Erwin was 15, he decided to begin his journey towards becoming a chef. Starting out as an apprentice in kitchens, hotels, and restaurants, Erwin learned the ins and outs of the culinary business by starting from the bottom. 

Fast forward to 1998, Erwin decided to take his talents to New York City after working on his craft in Germany and Switzerland. He started to make a name for himself in the states by playing major roles at high-end hotels and restaurants, not to mention some excellent connections that would continue to accelerate his culinary career. Eventually, Erwin and his business partner, Andrew Chase, would open a restaurant of their own, Cafe Katja. Cafe Katja specializes in traditional Austrian cooking with a great craft beer selection. If you are ever in New York City, you have to visit Cafe Katja and try their famous wiener schnitzel. 

Chef Erwin isn’t just acknowledged for knowing his way around the kitchen, he also has a wealth of experience in the business side of restaurants. After the success of starting his own restaurant, Chef Erwin has been asked to help other businesses behind-the-scenes. Another impressive feat is that he was approached to do a cooking show, and after interviewing, the program ErwinCooks was born. In this show, chef Erwin takes us through the history of Central European cuisine, and the influence it’s had on American culture. Erwin cooks up some delicious, traditional Austrian comfort foods on ErwinCooks. The food and the show are so good that he won an Emmy!

The easiest way to put a smile on someone’s face is with good food. As much as we love entertainers and festivals, chefs can make live events just as enjoyable. 

“What is so ‘in’ now, the organic farming; this was done hundreds of years ago because there was no mass production. All of it was organic farming. We just got away from it, but now we’re going back to it.” - Erwin Schrottner 

Catch the interview on Festival Pass Stories! https://festivalpass.com/stories

You can find Chef Erwin on:

Cafe Katja’s Website- https://www.cafekatja.com/ 

ErwinCooks Website- https://www.erwincooks.com/ 

Cafe Katja’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/cafekatja/ 

Erwin Schrottner’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/schrottner/ 

Connect with Festival Pass!

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/getfestivalpass/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/festival_pass/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/pass_festival

Website - https://festivalpass.com/