Love of motorcycles and food, bring Keanu Reeves, Curtis Duffy together in Greenville

It wasn’t too long ago that Keanu Reeves and Curtis Duffy were supposed to meet in Palm Springs in January. The award-winning actor and three-starred Michelin chef were both there for the launch of Michelin's Pilot Sport 4S tire, and they missed each other by a day.

Eight months later, Greenville has offered a backdrop for the two, who share an enthusiasm for motorcycles and food, to meet, talk shop and maybe even ride together.

On Thursday, Duffy, Reeves and their teams, took the stage at Michelin North America’s headquarters in Greenville to talk about their shared passions and their mutual admiration for the international tire brand.

“I think with food and design and being in a restaurant all feed into the experience,” Reeves told The Greenville News during a post-panel interview. “Taking in nourishment and experiencing taste and conviviality and friendship.

“And with a motorcycle, there are many dialogues that go along that are the same. What is that experience, what does it feel like, smell like. And then how are you moving through space?”

Acting aside, Reeves has had a long love affair with motorcycles. That love led to a partnership with Gard Hollinger in 2012, and the creation of ARCH Motorcycle, a custom motorcycle company that has been recognized as producing one of the finest riding and looking bikes out there. Each is customized by Hollinger, tested by Reeves and perfected by the team. No two bikes are alike.

The same could be said for Duffy’s craft. His restaurant, Grace, in Chicago produces something new every night, inspired by the chef’s own palate and fierce commitment to finding the best ingredients to reflect that.

And that’s where the connection lies. Both teams are in town for euphoria, which kicked off Thursday and continues through Sunday evening. The food, wine and music festival has come to represent a cultural and gastronomic symbol of Greenville’s growth, and the presence of the men on stage Thursday captured that well.

For Duffy, this trip is his third to the city to participate in euphoria. This year, as he has in the past, he will cook as part of the prestigious Michelin star dinner and act as dutiful sous chef during the kids cooking competition, the Healthy Lunchtime Throwdown.

This year, as last year, he rode his motorcycle down from Chicago.

“Coming down here every year, one of my greatest joys is being around these amazing roads,” Duffy said.

And of Greenville, he said.

“For me, I love how quaint it is, that small town feel; I feel very safe,” Duffy said. “I just love how everybody is nice and friendly, the food scene seems to be growing and maturing from the first time I was here.”

If Reeves, Hollinger and their partner, Heath Cofran, also in town for euphoria, have their way, Duffy might ride back on an Arch.

Duffy appeared to have little issue with that at the event Thursday.

“We’re gonna trade,” he said with a laugh. “I’m taking one back.

The teams from Grace and Arch will spend the next few days riding, eating and getting a hefty dose of Greenville. Duffy will get his premier Arch experience during a joint ride through the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Reeves, Hollinger and Cofran will get their first chance to taste Duffy’s food during euphoria’s Michelin Stars dinner Saturday evening.

“When you share an experience with someone, it heightens it to a whole new level,” Cothran said of the local activities. “The communication, the connection between those two things, it makes it even better.”