Natalie Pfister Riha

Natalie Pfister Riha, a native of Crested Butte, brings a wealth of diverse experiences back to her hometown, where she now serves as the Director of the Crested Butte Wine + Food Festival and Culinary Programs Manager. Natalie holds both a Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with her work having been exhibited internationally. In Seattle, she spent several years as a tenured professor at Cornish College of the Arts, teaching a range of subjects including sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, social practice, and public art. After leaving academia, Natalie played a key role in managing The Pantry, a bustling cooking school. Natalie’s background in hospitality spans fine dining, event management, and even managing a rooftop farm in Chicago. She’s also a certified Level 2 Sommelier and enjoys a good deck hang with a glass of something special.In addition, Natalie is the founder of Yonderwear, a sports underwear company born out of her search for comfortable activewear. Since moving back to Crested Butte with her family in 2023, Natalie has been dedicated to enriching the local culinary community and cherishes being back in a place she finds magical.