Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Wintergerst.
Hi Andrea, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Gosh, where to even begin? It’s funny because even though I chose my major (Tourism Management) like two days before starting college, it shouldn’t have been a surprise. I’ve been cooking up a storm in the kitchen ever since I was a kid, and my childhood home was the designated party and sleepover place. I always loved having people over and catering to their needs.
During and after college, I worked in a lot of different places and sectors of the tourism industry, from Hilton and Disney to a dairy farm in México and developing and tasting small-batch products for The Artisan Cookery (my family’s company). Through it all, I always had a need to create and a strong passion for photography and writing, so in 2019, I finally decided to start my own blog, Two Forks and a Passport.
In 2020 I moved to Spain to study for a master’s degree in Food Tourism, which sort of cemented my path. I’m currently back in Colorado, and food and travel are my entire life. Even my day job is also in the field. I’m very lucky to be able to do what I love both professionally and personally.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Well, financial hardship has always been a part of my life. My parents did the best they could, and I am eternally grateful for that. There have been lots of truly incredible people who have helped us along the way, too.
Regarding Two Forks and a Passport specifically, it’s been crazy and hectic but a lot of fun too. From applying for a trademark to figuring out how web hosts work, there’s certainly been no shortage of learning moments. Setting up an online store to support my writing endeavors was probably the hardest part, as well as deciding what to sell. Hopefully there’s something there for everyone.
During my time in Spain, I struggled a lot with my mental health, which threatened to derail everything. Thankfully that’s over now. Nowadays, I think my biggest struggle is staying motivated. Often, I’ll have no inspiration to keep writing or have trouble deciding which pictures to use. Also separating my job from my blog, since there is considerable crossover between them.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As I mentioned before, food travel is what I do for a living. In a nutshell, analyzing a place’s culture, history, and traditions in relation to gastronomy, and applying that knowledge to plans and strategies. That certainly gives me a solid foundation when it comes to my blog and influences the way I do things. I also think the level of detail that I put into things is… different. I love hiding things in my writings, as well as my photographs and drawings. I think it’s a fun surprise.
I’m very proud that my work in general is starting to get noticed, and a lot of opportunities have opened up recently. And of course, I have a soft spot for the stuff I’ve designed for Two Forks.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Haha! That’s a really excellent question. I’m quite the open book, but maybe it’s the fact that I didn’t always love to travel. I was perfectly happy being at home with my family, and it wasn’t until I was 19 that I traveled overseas for the first time. I haven’t been the same person since. My closest friends could also tell you that despite being extremely outgoing and talkative, I actually keep to myself a lot.
Pricing:
- $5.00 for stickers
- $19.00 for notebooks
- $20.00 for totes
- $35.00 for hoodies
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.twoforksandapassport.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twoforksandapassport/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twoforksandapassport
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/andreawm19/
