COULEE REGION COOKS

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Mike Hayes welcomes Sadie Goettl, the 2024 Wisconsin Honey Queen. Sadie shares her journey from raising beef cattle to promoting the importance of honeybees. They delve into the fascinating world of bees, discussing their critical role in pollination, the challenges they face, and the different varieties of honey produced in the U.S. Sadie also shares t...

Join us for another mouthwatering episode of Coulee Region Cooks! This week, Mike Hayes is joined by Doug Dahlgren from the Chef's Table food truck. Get ready for a fun and candid conversation about the challenges and joys of running a food truck business with his wife, Rachel. In this episode, Doug shares the hilarious story of forgetting a key ingredient for a gig and how Rachel saved the day. T...

Get ready for a delightful episode of Coulee Region Cooks! This week, we sit down with Chris and Ben from Paulin's Provisions to uncover the magic behind their mouthwatering products. From their production facility, affectionately referred to as "the shop," Chris and Ben share the journey of bringing their delicious pickles, mustards, and marmalades to local retailers and beyond. In this episode,...

Join us for an exciting new episode of Coulee Region Cooks as we sit down with Chef Ray Page from the La Crosse Distilling Co! Ray shares his incredible culinary journey, from his humble beginnings as a dishwasher at the Waterfront to becoming the head chef at the distillery. With a passion for farm-to-table cooking and locally sourced ingredients, Ray brings a unique flair to every dish he create...

Join us for a sizzling new episode of Coulee Region Cooks as we welcome Kaitlyn Kessler from the Wisconsin Beef Council! Kaitlyn shares her passion for cooking and farming, offering insights into the joys of grilling and kitchen fun, no matter the season. Discover how living on a farm influences her menu and the unique ways she incorporates fresh, homegrown ingredients into her meals. In this epis...

Get ready for another fun-filled episode of Coulee Region Cooks! This week, we bring you a delightful conversation with Bill Feehan, a culinary enthusiast with deep family roots in the restaurant industry. Join us as Bill shares his journey from working in his grandpa's restaurant to becoming a food broker and rep, and now, cooking up delicious meals at home. In this episode, Bill takes us through...

Get ready for a delightful episode of Coulee Region Cooks as we welcome Lindsey Moe, the creative force behind the popular blog, The Live-In Kitchen! Join us as we explore Lindsey's 13-year journey in the food blogging world, her passion for vegetarian and vegan recipes, and how she keeps her content fresh and engaging. In this episode, Lindsey shares the ins and outs of running a successful food...

Join us for a deliciously dynamic episode of Coulee Region Cooks as we welcome back Jennifer from Tansy's Traveling Kitchen! This week, we dive into the world of mobile culinary delights, farm-to-fork freshness, and the joys of locally sourced ingredients. Jennifer shares her journey from teaching to running a bustling food trailer, complete with two large greenhouses and a packed event schedule....

Get ready for a mouthwatering episode of Coulee Region Cooks! This week, we welcome back the ever-entertaining Patrick Longmire from Fat Pat's Brewery in Spring Grove. Join us as we dive into the delicious world of barbecue, burgers, and brews, and get an inside look at the grand opening of Fat Pat's new location. Patrick shares the journey of their opening weekend, the serendipitous timing with S...

Get ready for a culinary adventure in this week's episode of Coulee Region Cooks, featuring the dynamic Chef Mitch Weber from Sagra Restaurant in downtown La Crosse. Join us as we dive into Mitch's passion for cooking, his creative process, and the unique challenges and joys of running a top-tier Italian restaurant. In this episode, Mitch shares his journey from dreaming about food to becoming a c...

Heat up your ovens and get ready for a slice of the action with this week's episode of Coulee Region Cooks, featuring the pizza aficionado Tyler from Pizzeria Dolorosa. Join us as we knead through the daily grind of running a bustling pizza joint, where the dough is as fresh as the ideas and the toppings are as unique as the culinary duo behind the counter. Discover the secrets to their mouth-wate...

Join us for a delightful blend of culinary expertise and coffee connoisseurship in this week's episode of Coulee Region Cooks, where we're stirring the pot with Jen Barney of Meringue Bakery and her new partner, the coffee virtuoso Sam Sveum. As they team up, they're brewing a storm in the local food scene, combining world-class baked delights with top-notch coffee creations. Sam, a self-proclaime...

In this savory episode of Coulee Region Cooks, we're spicing things up with Wayne Oliver, a culinary enthusiast whose love for cooking knows no bounds, whether it's in the kitchen, on the deck with the grill, or even in the garage during winter. Wayne's passion for cooking shines as he whips up a delectable seafood feast, proving that the love for seafood extends beyond the annual Lobsterfest. Way...

In this appetizing episode of Coulee Region Cooks, we're breaking bread with Katie Glaze of Wild Child Homemade, the local sourdough sensation that's making waves in the Coulee Region with her handcrafted loaves. Katie shares her story of how a sourdough starter, born from a low point in her life, blossomed into a thriving business fueled by community support and a passion for the craft. With a no...

In this flavorful episode of Coulee Region Cooks, we hit the road with Megan Larson and the vibrant Apothik food truck team, where the kitchen is as mobile as their culinary creativity. Megan takes us on an exhilarating ride through the bustling life of food truck service, from the bustling parks to the late-night brewery stops. Megan dishes out the details on how the Apothik food truck spices up...

In this delectable episode of Coulee Region Cooks, we're rolling out the dough with Sarah Burns, the mastermind behind the freshly minted Omega Bakery in Holman. Sarah kneads her way through her journey from home-based baker to storefront sensation, sharing how her gluten intolerance shaped a dream into a reality. From her humble beginnings selling at local farmers markets to the leap of faith int...

In this healthful and heartwarming episode of Coulee Region Cooks, we're stirring the pot with Dr. Cheng Her from Telos Functional Medicine, where the waiting room is a kitchen and food is the medicine. Dr. Her shares his passion for helping people eat better, not just for their bodies, but for their souls too. With a philosophy deeply rooted in purpose, Telos aims to bring people back to the kitc...

In this savory episode of Coulee Region Cooks, we're firing up the smoker with Lee from Bubba's Meats. Join us as we delve into the art of traditional smoking methods that set Bubba's apart from the rest. Discover the secrets behind their heavier, open-pit hickory wood smoking that gives their meats an authentic, robust flavor loved by many. Lee gives us a slice of history, sharing how Bubba's Mea...

Dive into Hayden's journey from washing dishes at 14 to managing high-end restaurants and how his self-taught skills, paired with professional mentorship, have shaped his approach to cooking. We'll explore the adrenaline rush of serving thousands on a bustling island, the finesse of fine dining, and how Hayden's passion for seafood translates into mouthwatering dishes. Hayden and Mike chew over th...

In this delectable episode of Coulee Region Cooks, we're spicing things up with the multi-talented chef Doug Dahlgren, whose culinary expertise spans the realms of restaurant kitchens, food trucks, and the home hearth. Join us as Doug dishes out his experiences and the joy of cooking for a bustling household where even Mac and cheese gets a gourmet twist. From planning Waffle Wednesdays to tacklin...

In this sizzling episode of Coulee Region Cooks, Mike sits down with the culinary innovator behind Kwik Trip's mouthwatering menu, R&D Chef Isaac Wilde. Discover the journey from simple convenience store snacks to gourmet grab-and-go meals that have transformed Kwik Trip into a foodie's paradise. Isaac shares the inside scoop on how Kwik Trip's test kitchen turns creative sparks into delectabl...

In this heartwarming episode of Coulee Region Cooks, join Mike and the inventive Chris Wysong, founder of Bucket of Bread, as they knead their way through Chris's journey from military fuel truck driver to the creator of a bread revolution. Discover how childhood kitchen escapades and an unexpected tandoori oven encounter in northern Iraq baked the foundation for Chris's bucket-based bread venture...

In this flavorful installment of Coulee Region Cooks, we're whisking you away to a world where mustard and marmalade reign supreme. Join Mike as he welcomes the dynamic duo from Paulin's Provisions, Chris Barton and Ben Skinner, back to the kitchen table. Dive into a tangy discussion about their journey from mustard mavens to pickle pioneers, and how they've turned a passion for exceptional condim...

In this delectable episode, Mike is joined by the culinary mastermind, Sy Fix from Saxon Hall, who brings a slice of innovation to the Coulee Region Cooks kitchen. Prepare to be tantalized as they discuss the creation of the Chicago Dog Pizza—a concoction so unique it could only be born from a "hold my beer" moment of genius. Sy shares the mouthwatering toppings that make up this pizza pie, from p...

In this sizzling episode, Mike welcomes Kaitlyn Riley from the Wisconsin Beef Council to the Coulee Region Cooks kitchen. Dive into a meaty discussion about the surprising versatility of dairy cattle in beef production, the traceability of our meat supply, and the nuances that influence the taste and tenderness of beef. Kaitlyn also debunks common beef myths and offers practical tips for choosing...