When I first met Andrea Cornwell (formerly Hoover), I couldn’t help but smile. Her bubbly personality had me that first second. We talked wine and yoga and so much more. “I believe one day I’d like to own my own yoga studio” she says of one of her dreams. And when I think about her, I always think about the Pharrell Williams song, “Happy.” You’ll rarely see a photo where she is not smiling. And it’s not surprising given her life these days.
“I married my best friend (in January). We bought a cute little house with a pool in the backyard last September. We have our three dogs, amazing friends & family close by in Columbus (Ohio’s capital and the headquarters of Cameron Mitchell) and I am working a job I love next to the man I love. I’d say I’m pretty happy.”After working as Cameron Mitchell’s Beverage Operations Manager for five years, “I supported all of our restaurants from designing cocktails, training bartenders, creating bar layouts/side stands-you name it,” Cornwell was promoted to Director of Beverage/Operating Partner last year. “Opportunity met preparation, I guess you could say. I had the right people behind me and pushing me further in my path.”
Of course, I was wondering where it all began. “My first official job was at a restaurant where my sister was the General Manager. I was a host,” she says adding, “I’ve bartended. I’ve served. I’ve worked in every part of the restaurant.”
Cornwell hasn’t strayed far from home. She grew up in Columbus. “My mom was a Registered Nurse for 35 years and my dad is a Regional Sales Director for an Italian food company based out of Jersey.” Girls and fancy food were a plenty. “I have five older sisters,” she exclaims, “and my parents had a lot of parties with restaurant folk.” The Italian food company connection. “One of my favorite foods as a toddler were olives. Not sure how I maneuvered the pits, but here to tell the tale!” she adds. Truth be told, Cornwell’s first career ambitions were more about girls than food. “Believe it or not, I always wanted to deliver babies. An Obstetrician.” She originally pursued a career in the medicine field. “I studied nursing in Community College” before she caught the restaurant bug and dropped out.” However, wine was definitely in the forefront growing up as she recalls her first taste of the vine. “I was in third grade in front of our fireplace. I was with my sister and my mom and after about 20 minutes I said, “Man, I love my life.”
Cornwell hasn’t strayed far from home. She grew up in Columbus. “My mom was a Registered Nurse for 35 years and my dad is a Regional Sales Director for an Italian food company based out of Jersey.” Girls and fancy food were a plenty. “I have five older sisters,” she exclaims, “and my parents had a lot of parties with restaurant folk.” The Italian food company connection. “One of my favorite foods as a toddler were olives. Not sure how I maneuvered the pits, but here to tell the tale!” she adds. Truth be told, Cornwell’s first career ambitions were more about girls than food. “Believe it or not, I always wanted to deliver babies. An Obstetrician.” She originally pursued a career in the medicine field. “I studied nursing in Community College” before she caught the restaurant bug and dropped out.” However, wine was definitely in the forefront growing up as she recalls her first taste of the vine. “I was in third grade in front of our fireplace. I was with my sister and my mom and after about 20 minutes I said, “Man, I love my life.”
And she still does. There’s the yoga studio (a dream we share) and a few bigger things. “Maybe have a couple of kids at some point. No rushing though, 2019 was a big year and I’m still living in its glory.”
With the new title comes some new perks. “I am excited to travel for work on a global level,” says Cornwell. In her previous role, travel was mostly limited to the Continental U.S. “San Diego is one of my absolute favorites,” she says about her favorite domestic spot to travel for work. Her favorite non-work getaway spot is on the other coast. “My husband and I were married and honeymooned in Islamorada, Florida. This was only our second time there, but I think this will always be one of my favorites. Laid back and easy,” she adds.Outside of America, Cornwell fell hard for a country known best for its beaches, footballers and food. “I have never stopped thinking about Algarve, Portugal. Fabulous food, people and scenery.” And of course, the wine. “I love Vino Verde,” she adds. But like me, her real wine love is from another European country; France. “I’m more of a French wine lover than anything else.” Something I very much relate to. “I even love Champagne with my Ribeye,” she says of one of her go to food and wine pairings. Well, bubbles do go with everything from Cheerios to Chinese food and cheese. And yes, one of Cornwall’s favorite cuisines. “I love some good Mexican.”
As for destinations she dreams of visiting or maybe re-visiting? “Spain. I am supposed to go this fall. I’d love to see more of Asia, head down to South America.” Again, no arguments there.Back to wine, I questioned Cornwell on her interest in wine cocktails and whether it’s a thing at Cameron Mitchell’s. “Making cocktails has always been a big passion of mine. Most recently, we have been making a lot of rosé cocktails. We have a rosé/punch/lemonade and it is pretty delightful,” she adds. And I’m thinking, ooh yeah, something new to try.
“I’m more of a French wine lover than anything else. I even love Champagne with my Ribeyes.”
I was also curious about any special wine memories. “I would say my “aha” moment was early in my career at one of our restaurants, M. We were in a champagne tasting with some of the world’s finest. A Sunday afternoon, no better way spent than with a delicious glass of bubbles.” Yup. Agreed, again. We also have something non-related to wine, travel or yoga in common. “We have 3 dogs, all rescues. Vinny, Charlie who are both male and 11, and our little girl, Mikey-7 months,” says Cornwell. We also have three rescues.Of course, the big question I always wonder about is whether the life one is living is the life they imagined. “For all of the times I played MASH (if you don’t know it, we can play),” Cornwell says, “I never imagined it would be like this. I didn’t realize how nice life would be until I found my partner in crime. It’s been a really cool journey,” she says in that really content, really happy way. “When I’m not working, I’m usually hanging out with my husband, Andrew. We like to go to the park with the dogs, practice yoga, cook, do puzzles. I’m not 80, either,” she adds, in case you were thinking that. Undeniably, one look at her; healthy, young and gorgeous and that number is quickly dispelled.And as for the game she referenced. I actually didn’t know what MASH was but quickly googled it. “MASH is the classic kids fortune-telling, commonly played by children intended to predict one’s future. The name is an acronym of ‘Mansion, Apartment, Shack and House’”. I definitely played a version of that as a kid but did not know it by that name.
Thank you, Andrea Hoover Cornwell for teaching me something new today and always making me smile.
