Mike Thelin is an industry leader who harnesses the power of culture and storytelling to create real-world entrepreneurial impact. As the co-founder and owner of two of America's most acclaimed culinary festivals—Feast Portland and Hot Luck in Austin, Texas—Mike has built platforms that not only celebrate food but also drive economic opportunities and meaningful outcomes. Through Bolted Consulting, Mike partners with organizations to uncover their core narratives, guiding leadership through strategic planning, large-scale initiatives, and thoughtful partnerships. A respected voice in the culinary world, Mike's expertise spans across media and industry. He has served as a food critic and columnist for Portland Monthly Magazine, appeared as a national television commentator on the Cooking Channel's Unique Eats and Netflix's Street Food, authored the Oregon chapter of Phaidon's America cookbook, and was the founding editor of Eater Portland. He served as a judge for the prestigious James Beard Foundation Chef and Restaurant Awards and was named one of the 55 most influential people in food and beverage by Observer in 2019.Committed to giving back, Mike’s events have raised over $600,000 for local and national charities. Based in Portland, he remains an engaged community leader and active civic volunteer.