By now you guys know that I am absolutely obsessed with great food and great drinks. Whether I'm stopping in at a local dive bar with an amazing bar burger and sipping on a killer old fashioned, or cozying up at a corner table at a total foodie hotspot, exploring the food and beverage scene of the world is one of my favorite pastimes. There is something so special about the chefs and cooks who are passionate about serving their community and the food that feeds that community. The people in the food and drink industry are some of the hardest working people I've ever met. The hours are long, which can be exhausting, but the rewards are great. I worked in the hospitality industry for almost a decade, and there are times that I miss that atmosphere. 

Before my own career working in restaurants, I grew up in my family's fine dining supper club along the river in Green Bay. The Mariner Motel and Supper Club was our family business for 40 years. My grandparents bought it and operated it with their six children helping out, and my dad took over management shortly after I was born. My earliest memories are of being at the Mariner, back in the kitchen talking with the staff or propped up at the bar while my grandma and dad talked to the regulars that would come in each week. The Mariner wasn't just your average supper club, it was an institution; to this day, I’ll mention the Mariner to locals and they fondly remember being there. The Mariner specialized in seafood, amazing entrees, and their famous pressed toast appetizer. They were ahead of their time and had some of the first craft beers in the area available, like Lakefront Brewing Company. They also helped pioneer the wine scene in Green Bay and hosted some of the very first wine dinners in our community. 

This was definitely a nature vs nurture in action for me because I know that this upbringing paired with the fact that my parents love to travel and enjoy eating and drinking well while we travel is why I am such a foodie and drink aficionado today.  Some of my fondest memories and the best experiences that I've had have happened around the dinner table, sharing incredible food and drinks with amazing people. New friends have turned into lifelong friends after simply sharing a great bottle of beer or wine. Restaurants have invited us back into their kitchen, bringing us behind the scenes for quaint but unforgettable experiences like singing Happy Birthday to their chef. 

The hospitality industry is also one of the most generous industries I've ever encountered. By genuinely complimenting someone and their craft, and showing that you truly appreciate what they do and that you're “in the know” with what they're creating can open so many doors and conversations. So many times, I’ve used the small gesture of stocking up on some New Glarus  brews before I head out of state so that I can share these coveted beers with the breweries that I visit during my travels (New Glarus is only available in WI, in case you didn’t know). These breweries are so stoked to get these gifts, and more often than not, they return the favor by loading us up with WAY more beers than we brought them. It’s an act of spreading love and kindness as we go, and the rewards have been far greater than the gifts we’ve given. 

It's been so fun to watch the Northeast Wisconsin food scene grow over the past decade. There are so many places that we haven't even been to yet that we're hoping to hit this summer, knowing that we're going to find some incredibly talented people dishing up some delicious delights. My invitation for you this month is to grab your sweetie, a friend, or head out solo and explore your town. There are awesome people just waiting to create something that’s going to open your eyes and tantalize your taste buds. Eat slowly, savoring each bite and recognizing the love that was poured into the food. Drink curiously, noticing the different flavors at play and how they work (or don’t work) with your food. Finally, live intentionally. Eat and drink at places and with people that light you up. Having great food and drink doesn’t need to be saved for a special occasion, every day that we get to be here exploring this world is worth celebrating.

Cheers friends!

Kate

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