Michael knew at a very young age that he wanted to become a chef someday. He pursued his dream upon graduating from the Academy of Culinary Arts outside of Atlantic City, Jersey and working for several caterers and restaurants.
In 1994, he was offered a partial partnership to relocate from New Jersey to Colorado to open Garlic Mike’s. Soon thereafter he and his wife, Traci purchased the restaurant and successfully built up the business to what it is today. The riverside restaurant has been a fixture in the community and has been a traditional favorite for locals, tourists and part time tourists for many years.
Traci wears many hats. With a degree in fashion merchandising and marketing Traci had to learn the in’s and outs of restaurant accounting many years ago. Traci works closely with our GM Erika on all the financial aspects of the restaurant. The accounting aspect often goes unnoticed, but it is a crucial part of the business. With her knowledge of business finances and an eye for decor Traci was a big part of creating the outdoor piazza and River Bar. She also loves to spend time working on the restaurant’s gardens in the summer.
Traci is also co-owner of Bee’s Vintage Party Rentals. Bee’s allows her to design and execute many unique table settings and events, including the many fundraising events Garlic Mike’s hosts and supports.
In her free time Traci enjoys thrifting for vintage treasures and spending time with her two grown sons. Traci has a special passion for Six Points, a nonprofit organization serving people with intellectual disabilities and traumatic brain injuries.
Erika first moved to the Gunnison Valley in 2002 from New Hampshire as a ski bum for “one winter”. She fell in love with this beautiful place and decided to stay forever. Erika, like many of us in Gunnison, enjoys skiing, rafting, and camping with her husband and their three well-loved dogs. She first started working for Garlic Mike’s in 2007 as a busser.
She has worked in every position in the front of the house, but is best known for being our busy, bubbly, General Manager since 2019. Erika has found a passion for wine through her position with us. She has completed both her Court of Masters Introductory Sommelier Course as well as her WSET Level One in Wine and continues to study for her Certified Sommelier exam in the future.
He is a 2005 graduate of Western State College with a degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in education. Dan joined Garlic Mike’s kitchen staff in 2006 and very quickly moved up the ranks and moved into the chef position where he proudly builds a team of his own. When he’s not creating culinary delights at the restaurant he is a ski bum, mountain biker and most recently holds a black belt title in Jiu-Jitsu.
Tami was born and raised in Crested Butte, Co. After graduating from Western State College, she moved to Columbus, Georgia, where she was a military wife for five years. She then raised a family in Parker, Colorado, until she moved back to Gunnison in 2018. After being gone for some time and wanting to meet new people, she started working at Garlic Mikes as a hostess . Soon, she fell in love with the little Red Restaurant on the river and the close knit family she became a part of.
Nathan is one of our in house Sommelier’s and has been with us for six years. He moved to the valley from Northern Virginia in 2018, and is also a student at Western Colorado University studying Mechanical Engineering with an Aerospace focus. Currently studying for the next level of his Sommelier certification in addition to his schooling, it is his goal to create incredible experiences in and for this world we live in, especially those consisting of great wine and great food! When Nathan is not at work, you can find him watching football (or any sports for that matter), drinking wine, and hanging out with his corgi, Winston!
Jessica moved to the Gunnison Valley in January of 2024 from Colorado Springs to work her event planning business full time. Jess is a Colorado native! She graduated in 2020 from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with her Bachelors in Communications. She has fallen in love with this town, particularly its breathtaking summers, lake days, and river floats. When she’s not putting together incredible events, you can find Jess soaking up the beautiful Colorado mountain sunshine with her friends and family, and her corgi, Winston!