Who is AB?
Anikó Pelikán
I am called many things - Mama, Mom, Aniko, Honeycomb, Ancsa, and by far the most entertaining “Food Fairy” I was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, a diverse, cultural, poutine-loving, maple syrup producing and very often controversial province. I also have Hungarian roots, thanks to my parents who arrived in Quebec, Canada in 1957. This meant growing up in a very european household, where traditions, food, music, church on Sundays, Hungarian scouts on the weekend, folk dancing, community events were essential. However, there was time to ride my bike, play in the park, numerous fishing and camping weekends, and many spur of the moment road trips. My education started in a bilingual school - truly the best of both worlds - and today I am fluent in Hungarian, English, and French. I went on to graduate from Concordia (Go Stingers !) with a Bachelors in Arts Specializing in Translation with a Minor in English studies.
After some life altering events - four kids to be exact, I realized that trying to work on documents at home, while being a full-time mom, was not going to happen. However, my love of working with food, quirky imagination and desire to do something while raising the kids led me to start a small catering business. I am now a Personal Chef by day (hence Food Fairy) and a mother of four the other 24 hours. Over a decade later, my personal life underwent some big changes and in 2012, I reconnected with Bela on Facebook, while searching for some friends to attend the 20th anniversary of a leadership scout camp we had all survived in 1992 (that particular year it rained 11 out of the 14 days). After catching up on 20 years worth and some funny selfies, we both returned to our respective cities as friends - (him in Chicago - me in Montreal) and dating was not on the radar, for the simple fact that, across the border dating, or a 15 hour drive - well, that just seemed crazy. Lo and behold, a year later, we decided to meet up in London, Ontario (that’s halfway folks) a date that lasted four days, which then led to the “Just socks” chapter of our lives.
Fast forward three years, nine months, a lot of going back and forth, travels, social occasions, family events, hundreds of cups of coffee, Skype movie nights, bake nights - we quietly closed our “Just Socks” chapter, when I answered “yes”, to a very simple but life changing question “So…will you?” Our story now continues, with many new and exciting adventures, and if this next chapter is even a mere reflection of our time spent together so far - it promises to be epic.
Some of the other stuff I do:
Béla Kerkay
New Jersey. It’s where my story begins. Born and raised. A Jersey boy. But there is so much more to me… Born to Hungarians parents meant a lot of things, but mostly growing up in a very active and busy childhood. Scouting, folk dancing, attending Hungarian School, going church, Hungarian Museum and lots and lots of yard work. Who says weekends are for relaxing? With all of the above, obviously I was surrounded by creativity, if getting it from family wasn’t enough. From an early age, doing artsy things was the norm and unable to escape it … for… the… rest… of my life. So it was normal to walk around with a tackle box filled with art supplies (even though HS classmates thought otherwise).
I had two options — be an architect, but that involved too many numbers… nah, not for me. So Graphic Design it is!! In college, while I was getting my BFA in Communication Design with a specialization in Advertising, my expression and skills accelerated being among like minded artists (I still keep in touch with many on a regular basis - YAY). As we know, crazy things happen in college, but for me it was in my last year when I had this great idea. “How about I move to Hungary and work there?” Let it be written, let it be done. (name that movie) So after I graduated, I moved to Hungary to be there for 6 months, 12 if I like it. I was there for 5 1/2 years. Kinda got stuck there… oh, but the experiences (incredible)… and the work ethic (unhealthy)… and design skills (career changing) was all worth the extra time. I got to work for a design studio, start my own business and work for a global agency. After a short hurdle, when I came back state side I was back in the agency world, doing what I like doing best, design. And still doing it to this day.
In the mean time, my personal life had its ups and downs…. but ultimately led me to Aniko. A friendship and relationship 25 years in the making (with a big pause in the middle). 3 1/2 years ago, it was “Just Socks!!” But now, it’s so much more. To the point where she said “Yes!” to “Will You?” And so the AB Adventurz begins….