COULEE REGION COOKS

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 favorite, leading to wholesale customers acro...

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 caters to every meal of the day.

Listen...

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 delicious food that keeps patrons comin...

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 bagels, and her latest experimental fla...

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 area.

Listeners will be captivated by Mi...

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 unique Itasca, listeners will learn about t...

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 story behind the fish fry's inception...

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 delicious meals.

The duo dives into th...

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 world of pizza, discussing popular t...

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 of the cafe, including handcrafted coff...

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 transformed outdoor cooking.

As they gear up...

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 linings that have emerged from this un...

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 favorites, and the importance of communit...

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, and his favorite cocktail recipes. ...

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 letter to a food truck to becoming a trusted...

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 making beef the star of your holiday table...

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. Discover her exciting fundraiser ini...

Welcome to another heartwarming episode of Coulee Region Cooks, brought to you by Midwest TV and Appliance! This week, Courtney Vaaler fills in for Mike Hayes and welcomes a beloved guest, Bill Feehan, a local culinary enthusiast with deep roots in the food industry. Join us as Bill shares his rich history and passion for cooking, cultivated from his family's long-standing connection to the culinary world.

In this episode, Bill tak...

Welcome to another exciting episode of Coulee Region Cooks, brought to you by Midwest TV and Appliance! This week, Courtney Vaaler fills in for Mike Hayes and welcomes the dynamic duo from Fat Pat's Brewery, Patrick Longmire and Chelsea, to the show. Known for their lively banter and delicious creations, Patrick and Chelsea bring their infectious energy to the studio.

Join us as we dive into the bustling world of Fat Pat's Brewery,...