Our Friend of the Week - Dave Karraker
Your City: San FranciscoDave’s What –“Since I work for a liquor company, is it wrong for me to pimp one of my own brands??? I really must say my What right now has got to be the Negroni Sbagliato (Italian for “mistake”). Yes, the Aperol Spritz is the drink of Summer, the Sbagliato is perfect for the Negroni-obsessed – drier and less sweet than the Spritz, and simply gorgeous (never forget a cocktail is an accessory). Pour 1 ounce Campari, and 1 ounce Sweet Vermouth over ice in a balloon wine glass. Top with Prosecco and garnish with an orange slice. Sit back on that patio and reflect on why you ever drank a Cosmo."
FRIEND OF THE WEEK: 11 QUESTIONSFACEBOOK: @DAVEKARRAKERINSTAGRAM: @DAVEKARRAKER
- Nickname My current favorite is “The Velvet Hammer,” which my staff coined. It would seem I have an innate ability to put someone in their place in such a delicate way that they don’t realize they have just been smacked down until they walk away with a mild contusion.
- What’s your short story? I was born to two National Park rangers and have been lucky enough to grow up in parks like Olympic, Harper’s Ferry (Civil War battle), Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon. Yes, I went to Grand Canyon High School – 89 total students. After graduation, I drove my rusting 1978 Toyota Celica to California to go to school and become an actor. That didn’t quite pan out (though you can see me in Red Shoe Diaries… bless). From there, I became a television reporter for NBC and CBS, but found tabloid journalism disheartening and moved on to public relations and marketing working on brands like Sony, Virgin, Martha Stewart, and Stoli. And, here we are today at Campari, during the most interesting time ever in the 150 years of the company, as the Negroni and interest in Italian bitters are exploding (we own Aperol, Averna, Cynar and Braulio as well).
- What’s your jam? My go-to shake my ass on the dance floor song has got to be Deborah Cox “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here Hex Hector Remix”. Simply one of the best vocal dance songs ever created. For sure my first-dance wedding song.
- What motivates you? Big thinking and bravery. People who always say “what if?” should be celebrated and rewarded. I get so energized being in a room of people – whether at work or with friends – when really creative ideas are flowing, sometimes with the help of a good Sancerre. We are constantly putting too much energy into worrying about rules or expectations or social mores. I love taking the last 15 minutes of any meeting to say: “OK… if we had no restraints or restrictions, what could we do?”
- Who do you think you’d have great friend chemistry with? One of my absolute favorite things in life is spontaneous comedic verbal ping-pong - a fast-paced, back-and-forth, typically nonsensical, conversation that comes out of nowhere: “Hey girl, you really nailed it in that hemp crocheted kaftan and Navajo turquoise jewelry at your niece’s bat mitzvah. Totally appropriate.” What follows is pure ridiculousness. I think the great director George Cukor was probably a real pro at this (see The Women), so we would have been best chums.
- What qualities do your favorite friends have in common? My best friends have absolutely no fear in being ridiculous or saying completely inappropriate things to get a good laugh. They are not easily offended.
- What’s the smartest, most inspiring, awesome thing you’ve read, watching or listened to? I mean, if you watched Michelle Obama’s speech at the DNC and were not moved, you are probably a zombie and should seek medical treatment. That was the epitome of poise, grace, strength and intelligence. There were a lot of great speeches that week (Joe Biden on FIRE!), but Michelle’s felt like you were wrapped up in a saga, with an empowered heroine proudly fighting for what she knows is right. No shouting needed. No hysterics. Stalwart confidence and resolve in spades. Pure magic.
- What whets your appetite? I currently can’t get Larb, the Thai meat dish, out of my mind. It’s incredibly low fat, high protein, and packs a tangy/spicy flavor punch with fish sauce, fresh lime, chiles, and lemongrass that is a pure knockout.
- What’s next on your To Do List? I know I have a novel in me (plot: marginalized people get super powers, and those who marginalized them now rely on them for their safety). In the meantime, my favorite muse, Brooke Geiger and I have a business concept around bravery, I am excited to explore.
- How are you friends with Gina + Amy? Oh, these girls! Who wouldn’t want to be friends with them? I met Amy through Brooke at Benziger Winery in Sonoma and instantly fell in love over a glass of Viogner. We’ve had so many inspirational, fun conversations in her backyard in wine country. And, of course, with Amy comes Gina, and then the conversation gets even more interesting… as does the wine drinking!
- Who would you nominate for our next Friend of the Week? Jay Jeffers, Nicky Balestrieri, Lauren Rieckhoff and Alan Cumming.