Behind the Scenes with Paul Cullen of the Inaugural SoDelFest
[x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 150 0px 0px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/3″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_image type=”none” src=”http://gcfl.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/virginia-beach-9799.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/x_column][x_column bg_color=”” type=”2/3″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_text]At GCFL, we are all about that good.clean.fun.life, which more often than not includes sampling and enjoying some of the best cuisine that our local restaurants have to offer, discovering local music, and partaking in a few beverages now and then. When our good friend Paul Cullen told us about his vision for a wine, food, and music festival, we were instantly hooked, drooling (literally in fact) at the chance to attend what would undoubtedly be a kick-a*# inaugural event. Tickets now in hand, we are itching to get to the venue on October 17 to video, photograph, and of course partake in, the festivities. But before we actually attend the event (and enter into our first full-on food coma of the fall season) we decided to catch up with event host, Paul Cullen.
We first met Paul last year and were subsequently wined and dined by him at the GCFL headquarters last fall. ‘Amazing’ barely scratches the surface on that experience, which was made even better by the fact that the former Bad Company bassist serenaded our way through dinner. True story. So how did the personal chef, wine enthusiast, and renowned musician come to host the 1st Annual Southern Delaware Wine, Food & Music Festival? We’ll let him explain…[/x_text][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section][x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/3″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_image type=”none” src=”http://gcfl.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/virginia-beach-9772.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/x_column][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/3″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_image type=”none” src=”http://gcfl.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/cropped-paul.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/x_column][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/3″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_image type=”none” src=”http://gcfl.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/virginia-beach-9808.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section][x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_text]
This is the inaugural event, so we have to ask, where did the idea for the festival come from?
Stacey LaMotta (activity director for Schell Bros at Independence Community) and Carlene Roche (resident of Independence) approached me about putting the ultimate Wine, Food and Music Festival together because of the need to do that in our area. Of course I said yes and we were off and running.
Did you think it would ever grow beyond your own vision and what did your vision encompass?
For sure…we didn’t really know what the end product was going to be. We just had a bunch of cool ideas and it turned out to be a massive event with something for everyone!! Wine, beer, spirits, food, music…even a Man Cave with mixologist and cigars.
The event features the holy trinity of entertainment – food, drink and music – how do these three entities factor into your life and why do you think they resonate so strongly for community events?
For me it’s what I do everyday “Cucino Suono la chitarra, verso vino tutti e giorni.” I cook, play guitar, pour wine for everyone. Our area isn’t called “The Culinary Coast” for nothing, but they spelled it wrong…it’s Cullen-ary Coast.
We are extremely lucky to have so many amazing chefs, artists and musicians all in the same area.
The lineup is incredible, what are you looking forward to the most (yes, you have to choose).
Of course me!! The jam at the end with Erin Dickins of Manhattan Transfer and myself with Vinyl Shockley.
For the person that sighs and says, “ugh, $75, that’s pretty steep” what is your counter argument, i.e. hit me with the main selling points.
Steep!! Not enough money [in my opinion]. You get to taste over 45 wines, food from 14 restaurants, live music all day, a Man Cave with bourbon, oysters, Bloody Mary’s and Cigars…
I see that the festival proceeds will be benefiting End Polio Now and the Lewes-Rehoboth Meals on Wheels. Any particular reason you chose these?
We love to support Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth because they provide such a great service for our area. Carlene is the president of The Georgetown-Millsboro Rotary Club. Their mission, along with Bill and Melinda Gates, is working to eradicate Polio worldwide.
Final thoughts?
There has been nothing like this on Delmarva…the quality of the food, wine, music, beer, and liquor is unmatched..
Event Details:
When: Saturday, October 17, noon-4:30pm
Where: Independence Clubhouse – 23767 Samuel Adams Circle, Millsboro, DE
Tickets: General Admission, $75; VIP Ticket, $160
What: Food, wine, and music of course! Over 40 wines will be paired with the following restaurants: Abbot’s Grille, Bramble & Brine, Grandpa Mac’s, Lupo Italian Kitchen, Nage, Semra’s, Touch of Italy, Blue Coast, Cultured Pearl, JD Shuckers, Michy’s, Palate, and Summerhouse.
Musicians include Erin Dickins, Lower Case Blues, Paul Cullen, Bryan Russo, Vinyl Shockley, and Bruce Anthony.
Big Names: Neil Fuentes (Food Network’s 2014 REWRAPPED champion), Hari Cameron (James Beard nominated chef), Lion Gardner (Cornerstone Award Winner), and Mike Zygmonski (Level II Sommelier & Wine Director).[/x_text][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section]