Chef Michael Gerhardt, originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin started cooking at a young age and quickly developed a love for working with food. Michael completed his culinary arts degree at Madison Area Technical College in 2004.

After moving to Boulder, Colorado in 2007 his passion and career took off as he worked in various upscale restaurants, including The Sunflower, Centro Latin Kitchen and Sushi Sasa. Most recently Michael worked as the Chef de Cuisine at Spice of Life Catering in Boulder and later as the Executive Chef and Culinary Director for Choice Markets. 

Chef Michael’s love of food and culture inspired him to travel the world in 2017 to explore cuisines from 15 countries spanning 4 continents. His travels further invigorated him in the kitchen and inspired him to cultivate unique recipes and culinary experiences for others.

Chef Merlin grew up in the laid back town of Santa Cruz, California. A first generation child to an Indonesian mother, Chef Merlin was exposed to a wide variety of food at a young age. In 1997, he graduated from Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon.

Chef Merlin’s concert cooking is extensive and impressive. Serving as the Culinary Director for Lollapalooza in Chicago for 10 years, Chef Merlin curated meals for headliners at the 100,000 person festival. Artists such as Eminem, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sound Garden, Radiohead, Arcade Fire, LCD Soundsystem, Chance the Rapper, Blink 182, Florence and the Machine and Metallica have all raved about his offerings. He’s also curated meals for headliners at Okiechobee and Hulaween in Florida.

Chef Merlin’s accomplishments are not only in the music festival world but at restaurants as well. Serving as the Executive chef for Graham Elliot in Chicago, Chef Merlin led the team to their first and second Michelin stars, and prepared a birthday dinner for President Obama while in office.