THE VANDELS
high school sweet hearts, best friends, dog parents, workout partners, band-mates, drunchies co-founders. these two do everything together and love every second of it.
they started dating during their freshman year at west platte high school, continued through college at kansas state university. after college, they TIED THE KNOT AND RAN AWAY TOGETHER TO WESTERN MICHIGAN TO START THEIR LIVES TOGETHER.
an important part of the couple’s lives is the crossfit community. starting together at great lakes fittness co. in holland, michigan and continuing back home in kansas city at crossfit 816, fitness is crucial to their well being. working out also gives them a good excuse to eat more good food! CROSSFIT IS ESPECIALLY NEAR AND DEAR TO DRUNCHIES’ HEART BECAUSE THIS WHOLE THING SPROUTED BECAUSE OF THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT OF OUR CROSSFIT FAMILY IN HOLLAND.
WHEN THEY’RE NOT WORKING THEIR FULL-TIME JOBS, YOU CAN FIND THE PAIR IN THE GYM, THE KITCHEN, TRAVELING THE WORLD, OR CURLED UP ON THE COUCH WITH THEIR MINIATURE DACHSHUNDS, BONNIE AND BEANS.
jonah vandel
owner & chef
jonah is the head honcho of drunchies. all of this started because of his obsession with good food and his drive to constantly improve his skills in the kitchen.
as the dreamer of the buisiness, he is constantly looking for ways to push himself creatively on the plate and in the buisiness as a whole.
although jonah has no formal education in the culinary arts, he has taught himself through the school of youtube, netflix, and the wonderful women cooks in his family (mom and granny).
when he isn’t cooking, jonah is a lighting designer at lightworks inc. in kansas city. he also leads worship at the weston united methodist church in weston, missouri on sunday mornings.
alexa vandel
sous chef & co-founder
alexa is the first mate of the drunchies vessel. she mainly works behind the scenes to make sure everything stays organized.
she is the realist of the partnership. she listen’s to jonah’s dreams and brings a practical perspective to help and make those dreams a reality.
alexa has the most experience in a professional kitchen of the pair. she worked, mainly as an expeditor, at tin kitchen (a barbecue restaurant in weston, missouri) for four college summer breaks. alexa’s sweet tooth makes her a passionate baker. she also attributes her love of food to her mom and grandmas.
when alexa isn’t cooking, she works full time as a middle school english teacher and coach in the west platte school district. she also plays the bass guitar in the worship band at the weston united methodist church in weston, missouri.