This weeks guest is Levi Vixie who currently resides in Moscow, Idaho. For those unfamiliar with Moscow, it is a city in northern Idaho along the Washington State border. Moscow is the home of the University of Idaho. Just across the state border is Pullman Washington, home of Washington State University. Together, the two universities fuel the local economies and provide an endless clientele for the many bars and restaurants.
Levi spent his childhood travelling the US with his parents - his Dad is a mathematician and Mom is a masseuse and food scientist. Both parents are tea-totalers. Levi spent time living in places such as Los Angeles and upstate New York. After high school, he spent two years living and working in Australia. Upon Levi’s return stateside, he settled in Moscow Idaho as his parents were living in Pullman Washington.
Levi started working in the industry in 2016 at Sangria Grille in Moscow Idaho working front of house as a server assistant. Surrounded by a strong and supportive staff that provided him with structure in the workplace, Levi learned to take the job seriously and view it as a viable career. Upon that realization, Levi found himself wanting to be a chef and started studying and working dish prep for about 6 months. This helped him build a solid foundation for his burgeoning cocktail career.
While at Sangria Grille, when Levi was done his shift in back of house, he would volunteer as a bar back in the front of house in order to learn as much as he could about the bar program. After a few months, the majority of the bar staff left and Levi wound up running the bar program himself.
After about 9 months, Levi wound up working another job at Nectar. Several quick months later, he wound up managing the bar program at Nectar as well. While working there, Levi learned a lot about wine from one of the owners - Brett Woodland. Brett had previously managed Noble Rot in Portland, Oregon. While at Nectar, Levi has continued his own wine and spirits self education as well as educating the local area on what’s out there for cocktails.
Currently, Levi is in the process of establishing his own consulting business for bars and restaurants to help with post Covid plans and ideas.
Instagram @levi.k.vixie
Podcast Artwork by Zak Hannah @zak.hannah