Paul Cullen has his hands in many pots, and he’s using his expertise to give back to those wanting to follow in his footsteps.
A Buffalo, New York, native, Cullen developed a love of Italian cuisine while cooking with his grandmother growing up. That love for fine food and wine expanded when he toured Europe with the classic rock band Bad Company.
After 30 years, he turned in his bass to instead dive into the world of hospitality by creating his own culinary company.
As a certified sommelier since 2018 and passport filled with trips to Italy, Cullen has been cooking and pouring for thousands of clients, while also picking up an acoustic guitar and performing private concerts along the way.
What is Paul Kares?
Aside from his wine venture with Jim Rivette, Paul Cullen Wines, the pair also founded Paul Kares in 2021, a nonprofit to help youth interested in the culinary and musical arts.
Paul Kares recognizes the hardships of being in the entertainment and hospitality industries and wants to assist young people in breaking through in the fields.
The organization offers grants for financial assistance, instruments, kitchen tools and scholarships that cover tuition fees for specialty camps, schools and programs.
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Paul Kares works with schools and other institutions and groups to identify grant candidates, with a focus on children from low-to-moderate-income families.
Cullen also founded Paul’s Kitchen in Lewes, an Italian specialty store and brunch spot, and the adjoining Room at Cedar Grove, an event space featuring entertainment and dinner shows.
Additionally, The Room at Cedar Grove holds cooking and mixology workshops, along with pop-up dinners featuring well-known chefs.
If a night of good music and even better food sounds right up your alley, Paul Kares has two events coming up that you can attend to directly impact future music and culinary professionals.
Rockin’ 6-Pack Dinner
The nonprofit is hosting an event on Thursday, March 9, called the Rockin’ 6-Pack Dinner, which includes six beers presented by Revelation Craft Brewing Co. to be paired with six courses.
Thursday’s event will be held at The Room at Cedar Grove in Lewes at 6:30 p.m. and features music by the Fitzkee Brother, Liam Weidman and Paul Cullen.
Pairings for the evening include:
- Beer cheese soup with pretzel sticks and crispy pancetta. (MIL IPA)
- Spring berry salad (Razz Sour)
- Braised pork sliders with cabbage slaw and lager BBQ sauce (Mexi-Lager)
- Short rib ravioli with mountain gorgonzola cheese (1791 Pilsner)
- Beer brats with fried Brussels sprouts and garlic-chive mashed potatoes (Conan the Juice Man)
- Paul’s Famous bread pudding with bourbon-Cocoa Nut Joe sauce (Cocoa Nut Joe Stout)
Tickets are $85 each and do not include gratuity. All proceeds benefit Paul Kares. Purchase a ticket at paulkaresde.org.
Concert for the Kids
On April 30, Paul Kares will host the second annual Concert for the Kids at the Milton Theater.
The live-music fundraiser for the organization features performances, gourmet fare from local restaurants and Cullen’s Cullen-ary Catering and a live auction.
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All proceeds will aid the nonprofit’s efforts to support young musicians and aspiring culinary professionals.
Performances include appearances by Tony Sciuto of Little River Band, Robbie LeBlanc, Milton Fitzkee, Eliot Lewes and Cape Henlopen High School’s jazz band and orchestra.
Live auction items include:
- A private Beatles tribute concert with Sciuto and LeBlanc for 25 guests in the winner’s home or up to 40 at The Room at Cedar Grove in Lewes. The evening includes wine, charcuterie boards and flatbread pizza.
- A weekend getaway for two at The Quoin, Wilmington’s newest luxury boutique hotel. The prize includes dinner at The Quoin’s restaurant and Snuff Mill Restaurant, Butchery & Wine Bar.
- A private cocktail party for up to 25 guests with catered hors d’oeuvres, wine and live music.
- A low-digit Delaware commercial license plate.
Earlybird tickets are $95 until April 15, when the price increases to $115 each. Purchase tickets at paulkaresde.org.
Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys’tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.
