Leadership Team
Kristin Kennedy
Kristin grew up in metro Detroit where she started “playing restaurant” at her grandparents’ house. Her grandma had a stepstool in the kitchen so she could see over the counter to measure and mix and her grandpa taught her the fine art of pouring a beer and a drink for friends and family in the basement bar. Her love of serving others continued while she studied Studio Art at Michigan State University and truly blossomed when she became lead bartender, mixologist and a sommelier at a fine dining restaurant in Detroit. Kristin moved to Colorado Springs in 2012 where she continued to gain knowledge of the industry. Her love for the outdoors and the call of the mountains moved her to Breckenridge in early 2016 where she has found her home as the general manager for the Hearthstone. When she is not “playing restaurant” you will most likely find Kristin on the slopes, hiking, playing hockey, behind the lens of her camera, or cooking for friends and family.
Michael Halpin
Mike joined the Hearthstone culinary team in 2005, serving as our executive chef until the spring of 2012, at which time he followed his passion for music and spent a year in Steamboat Springs managing a live music venue. In the spring of 2013 Mike and his wife Kristin returned to Breck, and Mike resumed his role as the Hearthstone’s executive chef. Originally from Chicago, Mike attended culinary school at Kendall College, and later worked as chef de cuisine at Merriman’s, on the big island of Hawaii. Mike’s culinary passions center on great taste first and foremost, followed by freshness of ingredients, a belief that simple is often better, and a commitment to using locally sourced and sustainably raised foods whenever possible. Mike is a lifelong and always believing Chicago Cubs fan, and would tele ski right through the summer, if there was only enough snow still left to do it.
Erik Entrada
Erik’s passion for athletics and snowboarding drew him to CO in 2019 from NYC, where he cut his teeth at a Michelin 3 star, Forbes 5 Diamond, and a 4 star NY Times restaurant for over half a decade.
An avid tennis player born and raised in the Garden State, he sidelined his dreams of playing pro tennis and redirected that passion into food & wine. He attained his Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts Management at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) with a “High Impact Leader Scholarship.” His focus in Advanced Wines allowed him to complete his wine training in Italy and became a member of The Court of Master Sommeliers. While pursing his studies, he also was able to continue his competitive tennis career on the CIA Tennis team as a #2 singles/#1 doubles player.
In addition, Erik has a decade of personal chef experience, which he explains “comes naturally to me. I grew up in a house where we frequently entertained large groups, and hospitality is ingrained.”
Erik is living his best life in Breckenridge. Outside of The Hearthstone he is either fine-tuning his tennis game, snowboarding with friends, or curating and aging a large collection of premium cigars.
Whether it’s athletics or fine dining, he enjoys applying the same discipline, creativity, collaboration, attention to detail, and goal setting to all his pursuits.
Benji Farrow
Benji grew up in the mountains of Vermont and Colorado, calling Summit County home since age 14. After a career in snowboarding he joined the Hearthstone Team for the 2015/16 winter as support staff. Since then, he has found a home at our restaurant and a passion for food and wine. When he isn’t working in the wine cellar or behind the bar, Benji can be found in the backcountry on his snowmobile or with his family. With a passion for the outdoors, western culture, and open space, Benji hopes to welcome everyone to the Hearthstone to show that fine wine and food can be enjoyed by all lifestyles.
Kristin Kennedy
Kristin grew up in metro Detroit where she started “playing restaurant” at her grandparents’ house. Her grandma had a stepstool in the kitchen so she could see over the counter to measure and mix and her grandpa taught her the fine art of pouring a beer and a drink for friends and family in the basement bar. Her love of serving others continued while she studied Studio Art at Michigan State University and truly blossomed when she became lead bartender, mixologist and a sommelier at a fine dining restaurant in Detroit. Kristin moved to Colorado Springs in 2012 where she continued to gain knowledge of the industry. Her love for the outdoors and the call of the mountains moved her to Breckenridge in early 2016 where she has found her home as the assistant manager for the Hearthstone. When she is not “playing restaurant” you will most likely find Kristin on the slopes, hiking, playing hockey, behind the lens of her camera, or cooking for friends and family.
Michael Halpin
Mike joined the Hearthstone culinary team in 2005, serving as our executive chef until the spring of 2012, at which time he followed his passion for music and spent a year in Steamboat Springs managing a live music venue. In the spring of 2013 Mike and his wife Kristin returned to Breck, and Mike resumed his role as the Hearthstone’s executive chef. Originally from Chicago, Mike attended culinary school at Kendall college, and later worked as chef de cuisine at Merriman’s, on the big island of Hawaii. Mike’s culinary passions center on great taste first and foremost, followed by freshness of ingredients, a belief that simple is often better, and a commitment to using locally sourced and sustainably raised foods whenever possible. Mike is a lifelong and always believing Chicago cubs fan, and would tele ski right through the summer, if there was only enough snow still left to do it.
Erik Entrada
Erik’s passion for athletics and snowboarding drew him to CO in 2019 from NYC, where he cut his teeth at a Michelin 3 star, Forbes 5 Diamond, and a 4 star NY Times restaurant for over half a decade.
An avid tennis player born and raised in the Garden State, he sidelined his dreams of playing pro tennis and redirected that passion into food & wine. He attained his Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts Management at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) with a “High Impact Leader Scholarship.” His focus in Advanced Wines allowed him to complete his wine training in Italy and became a member of The Court of Master Sommeliers. While pursing his studies, he also was able to continue his competitive tennis career on the CIA Tennis team as a #2 singles/#1 doubles player.
In addition, Erik has a decade of personal chef experience, which he explains “comes naturally to me. I grew up in a house where we frequently entertained large groups, and hospitality is ingrained.”
Erik is living his best life in Breckenridge. Outside of The Hearthstone he is either fine-tuning his tennis game, snowboarding with friends, or curating and aging a large collection of premium cigars.
Whether it’s athletics or fine dining, he enjoys applying the same discipline, creativity, collaboration, attention to detail, and goal setting to all his pursuits.
Benji Farrow
Benji grew up in the mountains of Vermont and Colorado, calling Summit County home since age 14. After a career in snowboarding he joined the Hearthstone Team for the 2015/16 winter as support staff. Since then, he has found a home at our restaurant and a passion for food and wine. When he isn’t working in the wine cellar or behind the bar, Benji can be found in the backcountry on his snowmobile or with his family. With a passion for the outdoors, western culture, and open space, Benji hopes to welcome everyone to the Hearthstone to show that fine wine and food can be enjoyed by all lifestyles.
All Rights Reserved | Denver Crowd