Pour Decision #5: Failing to Introduce Myself

I have a poor habit of diving head first into things without thinking them through.

In previous editions of Pour Decisions, I’ve given you all a peek into who I am through my passion for hospitality and delicious experiences. But I realized I never formally introduced myself.

You probably already know this, but my name is Ellie Scalzo. I was born and raised in Patchogue, New York. I’ll spare you the details of my wonderful childhood, but I will share that I’ve always had an adventurous palate. So much so that I stopped ordering from the children’s menu when I was about 10 years old. I graduated from James Madison University in May 2022 with a degree in Communications (concentration in Public Relations) and a minor in Spanish.

After graduation, I dove into the world of luxury hospitality public relations, where I was introduced to a realm of exciting opportunities, exceptional experiences, and people I continue to admire to this day. I represented world-class bars, restaurants, spirits brands, and organizations across the globe, and was constantly inspired by their passion.

After two years in the industry, I made a significant pivot. I began working at Con Edison, the utility company servicing New York’s five boroughs and Westchester County. In my current role as a specialist within Corporate Affairs on our Advocacy & Planning team, I handle event planning and support on public affairs campaigns. (If you’re reading this and you’re a Con Edison customer, I don’t handle billing, so please don’t come to me with that!)

As I continue to navigate the ever-evolving utility and energy industries while working toward a clean energy future, I must admit I’ve felt a pull back to my hospitality roots. I love my current job, the stability, the opportunities, and the amazing people I’ve met, but there’s always been a soft tug drawing me back to the food and beverage world.

So, I thought, why not have the best of both worlds? I can keep my job, but also indulge my passion for hospitality by sharing my experiences. I'm not into social media or the influencer lifestyle, but I’ve always had a knack for writing. And just like that, Ellie’s Pour Decisions was born. For me, this newsletter is a passion project. Something that keeps me excited and engaged in the hospitality landscape. Plus, it gives me a fantastic excuse to explore bars and restaurants, try new dishes and cocktails, and share those experiences with you!

Since this is an introductory piece, I thought I’d share a few things about me—food and beverage-related, and beyond.

1. When I’m looking for inspiration, I turn to some of my favorite journalists and social media content creators:

   1. Eric Kim (NYT), Kate Krader (Bloomberg), Matthew Schneier (Grub Street), and Elise Taylor (Vogue).

   2. Blake Menard (@blakemenardcooks), Nadia Aidi (@foodmymuse), and Cooking for Levi (@cookingforlevi).

2. One of my dreams is to be a published writer. Whether it's through an online outlet like Food & Wine, Thrillist, or The Infatuation, or my own book, I can’t wait for the day my work is recognized beyond just the people I love most.

3. Cue the world’s smallest violin. I have a gluten allergy. A non-celiac gluten sensitivity, to be exact. It’s awful considering how much I love to cook and eat.

4. As for cocktails, I have a few favorites depending on my mood: a classic margarita with a Tajín rim; an extra dirty martini; a bramble (a refreshing gin cocktail traditionally made with blackberry liqueur, simple syrup and fresh lemon juice); and an old fashioned (a classic cocktail typically made with Bourbon or Rye whiskey, Angostura bitters, a muddled sugar cube (or simple syrup), and garnished with orange peel).

5. My favorite cuisine? It’s not Italian, despite my last name. I LOVE Colombian food. My death row meal would be pechuga marinada with white wine sauce, tostones, and yellow rice and beans (my favorite comes from a spot called Colombian House in White Plains, NY, which my college roommate and best friend Emily introduced me to. If you’re ever in the area, do yourself a favor and go).

6. I am an avid reader. I’ve read 68 books this year, with a goal of reading 70 by December 31. My favorite genres: romance, fantasy, and romantasy. I’m all about happy endings, don’t judge. My all-time favorite book series is Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.

7. Travel is another passion of mine. So far, I’ve explored a few of the Greek Islands, Barcelona, Madrid, Jamaica, and the Galapagos Islands. But my dream destinations? Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, and all of Norway.

Well, I won’t give away too much just yet. After all, this isn’t the first time I’ve thrown myself into something without fully thinking it through. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that sometimes the best decisions come from the most spontaneous ones… usually after a glass of wine and a few too many ideas swirling around in my overactive brain. So, here’s to many more Pour Decisions to come. Cheers!