COULEE REGION COOKS

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Clara from  Clara Bakes  to explore the delightful world of macarons and cakes. Clara shares her unique journey from baking as a child to becoming a successful cottage baker, revealing how a simple request from a colleague sparked her passion for creating beautiful confections. With a focus on macarons, Clara explains...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler sits down with Mitch Weber, the owner and chef of  Sagra , to discuss exciting changes and the evolution of his culinary journey. Mitch shares the thrilling news of welcoming a new Chef de Cuisine, Quinn Schrader, who will help take Sagra's kitchen to new heights. As they delve into the dynamics of running a restaurant, Mitch...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Dylan from the Kane Street Community Garden , part of the Hunger Task Force , to share insights on community gardening and food security. As a newcomer to La Crosse, Dylan brings a wealth of experience from his previous work in New Mexico, where he managed a nonprofit garden aimed at feeding the community. Together, they...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler invites her father, Terry Schallert, to celebrate Father's Day with a heartwarming discussion about their shared culinary memories. As they take a stroll down memory lane, Terry reflects on his role in the kitchen while raising Courtney and her siblings, revealing how his creativity and love for cooking shaped her passion for baki...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler is joined by Megan and Austin from Le Chateau to discuss the exciting changes and culinary innovations happening at this upscale dining destination. Megan shares her transition from food truck and catering to the world of fine dining, revealing her multifaceted role in the kitchen and front of house. Meanwhile, Austin, the bar man...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler is joined by Micah Rupprecht and Isaac Wilde from Kwik Trip to explore the exciting new food offerings hitting their stores this summer. As the R&D chef, Isaac reveals the latest creations, including two new frozen pizzas—“Queued Up” BBQ Chicken and “Giddy Up” Chicken Bacon Ranch—set to tantalize...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler sits down with her husband, Barry Vaaler, to kick off grilling season just in time for Mother's Day! As the weather warms up, Barry shares his grilling expertise, discussing the best equipment, flavor combinations, and techniques to elevate your outdoor cooking experience. Listeners will learn about the benefits of using a wood pe...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Teri Market, a personal trainer and competitive powerlifter, to discuss the intricate relationship between food, fitness, and moderation. Teri, a self-proclaimed "fit foodie," shares her journey of navigating the balance between enjoying food and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Together, they explore the challenges of st...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler chats with Linda from the Valley Fudge and Candy Company  in Coon Valley, where sweet dreams are made. Linda shares her delightful journey from planning retirement to becoming a fudge-making sensation after a chance encounter at a craft show. With over 200 packages sold in one weekend, her fudge quickly became a local favorit...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Elsie and Lee from  Elsie's Bar and Grill  in Caledonia for a deliciously engaging conversation about their beloved local eatery. With nearly 18 years of experience, Elsie shares the journey of transforming the bar and grill into a community staple known for its hearty home-style cooking and a diverse menu that...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Kyle from  Smokey's Bar and Grill  in Holman for a lively discussion about the beloved local eatery. Kyle shares his unique journey growing up in the restaurant, where his mother has been the owner for nearly two decades. The duo dives into the history of Smokey's, the community's connection to the bar, and the...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler catches up with Katie Glaze, the creative force behind  Wild Child Homemade . Join them as they dive into the world of sourdough, exploring Katie's journey from baking at home to running a successful cottage bakery. With a focus on all things sourdough, Katie shares the story behind her popular cinnamon rolls, New York-style...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler sits down with the inspiring Mia from Mia's Kitchen , a vibrant food truck and catering business that Mia started at just 15 years old. Mia shares her journey of discovering her passion for cooking during the pandemic and how she transformed her love for food into a thriving business that brings diverse flavors to the La Crosse ar...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Deb from Bluff Top Vineyards  in Winona County for a delightful exploration of the world of wine. Deb shares the journey of starting the vineyard in 2018, from growing grapes to opening a tasting room, and the inspiration that led them to make their own wines. With three different grape varieties, including the uniqu...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler dives into the beloved tradition of fish fries with the dedicated volunteer committee from St. Patrick's Church . Join Courtney as she chats with Jerry, Mary Jo, and Tim about the history and growth of their famous fish fry, which has been delighting the community for over 40 years, especially during Lent. The committee shares the...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler is joined by the talented Jena McGathy, a project manager and food enthusiast, who shares her culinary journey inspired by her mother and grandmother. As they chat about the joys of cooking and the importance of family meals, Jena reveals how cooking has become her love language, a way to show care for friends and family through d...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler is joined by the one and only Sy Fix from Saxon Hall in Brownsville, Wisconsin, who proudly embraces his new title as the "Pizza Emperor." Sy shares the exciting developments at Saxon Hall, including a brand-new beer garden and plans for live music events that promise to elevate the summer dining experience. The duo dives into the...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Sherilyn Knoll, co-owner of the delightful Cookies and Cream Cafe  in Melrose, Wisconsin. Just a few months into their journey, Sherilyn shares the inspiring story behind the cafe's inception, highlighting how a cottage food business blossomed into a beloved local coffee shop. The duo discusses the unique offerings o...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler invites the dynamic duo, Mad Dog and Merrill, from Midwest Grilling , to share their passion for grilling and their extensive journey in the grilling industry. With over 45 years of experience, they reminisce about their early days with charcoal grills and the evolution to modern pellet grills, discussing how technology has transf...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes back the Paulin's boys, Chris and Ben, from Paulin's Provisions . Join them as they share their incredible journey following a devastating building fire that forced them to rebuild their business from the ground up. The duo discusses the emotional impact of the fire, the challenges of navigating insurance, and the silver...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler sits down with Mandi and Justin Lenser from The Butcher Shoppe in Hokah. Discover their journey from processing wild game to opening a beloved local butcher shop in October 2022, filling a vital gap in the community. Mandi and Justin share their experiences in the meat industry, the creative products that have become customer favo...

Join host Courtney Vaaler on this episode of Coulee Region Cooks as she chats with Tim Vodak, a passionate home cook with a rich background in the fast food industry and bartending. Discover Tim's journey from working at Culver's to hosting memorable anniversary dinners, and his love for breakfast and Greek cuisine. Learn about his bartending adventures, including the infamous Martini Wednesdays,...

Welcome to the first new episode of 2025 on Coulee Region Cooks , proudly sponsored by  Midwest TV and Appliance ! This week, join host Courtney Vaaler as she welcomes Abe from Abe's Raves , a local food enthusiast with a passion for discovering hidden culinary gems. Dive into a lively discussion about the vibrant food scene in La Crosse, where Abe shares his journey from writing a love lette...

Welcome to another delightful episode of Coulee Region Cooks , sponsored by  Midwest TV and Appliance ! Join host Courtney Vaaler as she welcomes Kaitlyn Kessler from the Wisconsin Beef Council to the show. Together, they explore the joys of holiday cooking with a beefy twist, just in time for Christmas and New Year's celebrations. In this festive episode, Kaitlyn shares her expertise on maki...

Join us for a festive episode of Coulee Region Cooks , proudly sponsored by  Midwest TV and Appliance ! This week, Courtney Vaaler welcomes Lindsay Mo, the creative mind behind the Live in Kitchen food blog, to share her culinary insights and holiday traditions. In this Thanksgiving special, Lindsay discusses her unique approach to cooking, balancing family meals with her passion for food blogging...