Mara Welty

TRUE LOVE STORY: Third Culture Bakery co-founders Wenter Shyu (left) and Sam Butarbutar (right). Photo by Paul Miller “The bakery is our love story,” says Wenter Shyu. “It wouldn’t be if we didn’t fall in love.” Shyu and Sam Butarbutar’s confectionery lovechild, Third Culture Bakery, is a union between Indonesian-Taiwanese influences and each of the baker’s third culture upbringing—an identity based in the idea that they were raised in a different culture than their parents.

Photo by Joni Schrantz When did you start bartending? “I started in the industry at a restaurant in Washington D.C as a busser. I eventually moved my way through all the positions until I became a bartender in 2008. I moved to Denver in September 2018 and have been a bartender at FIRE since.” Favorite bar tool? What can’t you mix drinks without? “A sharp knife! If you don’t have a sharp knife, making garnishes can be such a chore.” At the end of your shift what do you pour yourself?