COULEE REGION COOKS

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Eric Mora, one of the brothers behind Taco Broz . Eric shares how the family’s love of cooking—first inspired by his father’s meals around the family table—grew into a food truck bringing Mexican street-food flavors to the La Crosse area. He reflects on the early learning curve, the brothers’ first...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler sits down with Ruth, the passionate owner of Good Granola, LLC . Ruth shares her inspiring journey from a happy accident at a local farmer's market to building a thriving granola business over the past six years. She explains how the Wisconsin cottage food code allowed her to start selling her delicious granola right from her home kitch...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Chef Jimmy Wilson, a culinary dynamo and recent competitor in the Favorite Chef competition. Chef Jimmy shares his journey from a classically trained chef to a local culinary influencer, highlighting his experiences at Bay Harbor Senior Living and Hy-Vee where he conducts chef demonstrations. Get ready to be inspired as he disc...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Lindsay Moe, the creative force behind  The Live-In Kitchen , a vibrant food blog that goes beyond recipes to explore the art of vegetarian and vegan cooking. Lindsay shares her journey as a food photographer and the challenges she faces in the ever-evolving digital landscape, particularly with the rise of AI-generated con...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Scott and Stacy Kring, the co-owners of Birch Point Distillery located in Westby, Wisconsin. This innovative distillery is making waves in the spirits world by utilizing milk sugars from local creameries to produce their unique vodka and gin. Join Courtney as she dives into the fascinating story behind Birch Point, exploring ho...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler is joined by the dynamic duo Chef Poe and Dr. Alvie Ernest, the faces behind the innovative lifestyle brand known as "The Chef and the Foodie." With a unique blend of culinary expertise and holistic health knowledge, they share their journey from San Diego to Wisconsin, highlighting their mission to promote plant-based eating and wellne...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Shayla, the passionate owner of The Crafted Crust, a cottage bakery specializing in high hydration sourdough. Shayla shares her inspiring journey into the world of baking, which began as a personal escape during challenging times, including her mother's Alzheimer's diagnosis. With a background in food from her years at Quick Tri...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Ryan, the fourth-generation owner of  Augie's Bar and Grill  in Bangor, Wisconsin. Ryan shares his family’s rich history in the bar and restaurant industry, detailing how he took the reins from his father and transformed Augie's into a local favorite known for its delicious bar food. Listeners will be deli...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler is joined by Kristine Schwertel from Schwertel Family Farms in Trempealeau, Wisconsin. As the first farm to grace the show, Kristina shares the rich history of the farm, which began with her husband's grandmother, Grandma Millie, who started a roadside produce stand in the 1950s. Kristina recounts their journey from helping on the...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Esther, the General Manager and Production Assistant at Turtle Stack Brewery  in La Crosse, Wisconsin. As the first brewery to join the show, Esther shares the story behind Turtle Stack, which has been crafting quality beers for over a decade. She discusses her journey from a small brewery in Eau Claire to becoming a...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Derek, the co-owner of  Cain's Orchard  in Hixon, Wisconsin. Derek shares the fascinating story of how he and his wife took over the family-owned orchard, which has been growing blueberries since 1981, and how they are dedicated to producing high-quality fruit in the Coulee Region. Listeners will be intrigued as...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Jennifer, the passionate owner and baker of  El Coqui's Kitchen , a delightful venture bringing the flavors of Puerto Rican cuisine to the Coulee Region. Jennifer shares her journey from New York City to La Crosse, revealing how her love for her culture and culinary traditions inspired her to start a business that ce...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler sits down with Sarah, the enthusiastic owner and head chef of Patty Smashers and Shakes , a vibrant food trailer serving up delicious burgers and shakes in the Coulee Region. Sarah shares her journey from working in commercial kitchens to launching her food trailer, which officially opened in December 2022. Listeners will be intri...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Reagan, the passionate owner and manager of Milk and Honey Espresso Bar in Westby, Wisconsin. As the first business from Westby featured on the show, Reagan shares his inspiring journey from aspiring chef to coffee shop owner, revealing how a love for coffee and community shaped his vision for the café. Listeners w...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Daisy from  Daisy's Corner , a charming cottage bakery specializing in sourdough bread. Daisy shares her inspiring journey from Vietnam to the Coulee Region, detailing how her personal health challenges led her to explore the world of sourdough. With a unique perspective on gluten sensitivity, she discovered that sou...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler sits down with Dr. Patty Bartsch, a traditional naturopath from Naturally Unbridled Wellness . Dr. Bartsch shares her fascinating journey from the biotechnology industry to holistic health, emphasizing the importance of nutrition in achieving overall wellness. With a wealth of knowledge in natural health modalities, she explains h...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes back Sy Fix, the owner and pizza expert at  Saxon Hall in Brownsville, Minnesota. Sy shares exciting updates about the menu, including the addition of the Mc Saxon pizza, a unique Thousand Island-based creation that has quickly gained popularity. Listeners will also learn about the new 8-inch personal pan pizzas, per...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Olivia Jones, the talented owner and baker behind Heritage Bakes , a delightful micro bakery specializing in sourdough. Olivia shares her journey into baking, which began just before the pandemic, and how her passion for natural ingredients led her to create a thriving business right from her home kitchen. Listeners will...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler sits down with Kevin Millard, the news director for WISM News, who has recently returned from an exciting trip to London. Kevin shares his culinary adventures, debunking the myths surrounding British cuisine and highlighting the delightful dishes he discovered, from traditional full English breakfasts to the iconic fish and chips...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler chats with Efer Christopherson, the passionate owner of MF Coffee Roastery in La Crosse. Efer shares his incredible journey from Peru, where his family are coffee farmers, to becoming a coffee roaster in the Coulee Region. Listeners will be captivated by Efer’s story of resilience, as he navigated health challenges and pursu...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler sits down with the dynamic duo behind the  Coulee Lemon Co. , Gail and Michaela. Celebrating nearly a year in business, these two entrepreneurial moms share their journey from a TikTok-inspired idea to a thriving lemonade stand that offers fresh, dye-free drinks made from locally sourced ingredients. Listeners will be delight...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes the talented Sarah Burns, owner of  Omega Bakery  in Holman. Sarah shares her inspiring journey of transforming her passion for baking into a thriving dedicated gluten-free bakery, where she specializes in allergy-friendly treats that everyone can enjoy. Listeners will be captivated by Sarah's commitment to qual...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler reunites with the ever-enthusiastic Chef Megan Larson, owner of The Vintage Kitchen . Megan shares her journey since opening her cozy restaurant in December, and the heartfelt connection she has with the space, filled with family heirlooms and nostalgic decor that makes guests feel at home. As they delve into the restaurant's menu...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes back Chef Charlie from JavaVino . With summer just around the corner, Charlie shares exciting updates about the restaurant's new dinner menu, featuring fresh, seasonal dishes like Caribbean-style shrimp stir fry and a vibrant summertime linguine packed with local vegetables. As they dive into the flavors of summer, Charli...

In this episode of  Coulee Region Cooks , host Courtney Vaaler welcomes back Tom "the Babs Babbler," the owner and pizza master of  Woodshed Mobile Wood-Fired Pizza . Tom shares his exciting journey as he gears up for a bustling season filled with events, catering, and mouthwatering new menu items. With a focus on community and quality, Tom reveals the story behind his latest creations,...