Nelson Kunkel

Updated: May 26
I (Nelson) am a designer, entrepreneur and investor currently based in Vail, CO and can be found at Ingredient, the rolling vineyards of Santa Barbara and Larkburger - among other places.

Work

Currently the CEO of Ingredient, Inc., an innovation firm with offices in NY and CO that has a focus on creating cross-global and cultural customer experiences for visionary brands.

Also, currently a managing partner of K.Furtado Wines, a winery based in Santa Barbara County that specializes in hand-crafted wines that are high-acid, food friendly and designed for those who enjoy good food, good friends and good wine.

Investor in Larkburger — a CO-based chain of natural burger restaurants with locations currently in Edwards, Boulder and Denver (more to come) — and in Clickable, a NY-based search engine marketing platform that simplifies search management.

Read

Currently reading (or listening to) Ratio, by Michael Ruhlman, Team of Rivals, by Doris Kearns Goodwin, The Wilderness Warrior, by Douglas Brinkley, Legacy of Ashes, by Tim Weiner, and Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, by John Perkins. Subscribed to PodCasts for No Agenda, This Week in Tech, Macbreak Weekly and NPR’s Fresh Air.

Most Recent Reads:

Plug

Living an Apple lifestyle with the iPhone, Apple TV, a 17” MacBook Pro and a 30” Apple Cinema Display. Organized with BlueLounge’s Sanctuary and Rain Design’s mStand. Nike+ is connected to 4th gen. iPod Nano with a Garmin 405 that never survives 3+ hour runs in the backcountry. Have pre-ordered the iPad (3G) and await delivery “late April.”

Recently received a FitBit: Half pedometer, half wireless industrial design beauty and TechCrunch50 runner-up in 2008 (just released in December of 2009). Using it with limited success (already lost one of them).

Wearable Technology Reviews:

Play

In the process of rebuilding a 1970 Toyota FJ-40 Land Cruiser:
  • JAN 10: Purchased Hi-Lift jack (all-cast)
  • JAN 10: Created ceiing mount for hard top
  • AUG 09: Purchased custom Baja RS seats
  • AUG 09: Updated / cleaned wiring harness

Traveled recently to Tokyo for a sushi breakfast within the depths of the Tokyo Fish Market at Sushizanmai. Shopped at Omotesando, overwhelmed by Shibuya, dinned in Ginza and rode a ferry up to Asakusa. Slept and spa’d at The Peninsula. Watched a traditional wedding at the Meiji Jingu Shrine.

Eat

With an undying passion for food, flavor, and the creative process of cooking, this past summer was spent working through Alice Waters, Jamie Oliver, and Jose Andres. In awe of and humbled by the Roasted Carrot and Avocado Salad. Simply brilliant. Recommended pairing with 2008 Chateau Guiot Rosé.

Latest Cocktail Creation:

  • - 2 jig. Bombay Sapphire Gin
  • - 1 jig. Lavendar infused simple syrup
  • - 1/2 jig. Lemon juice (fresh sqeezed)
  • - Sprig fresh mint garnish
  • Serve shaken, with lemon twist.

Latest Culinary Discovery: