COULEE REGION COOKS

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 be fascinated as Olivia discusses the ...

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 paired with mushy peas.

Listeners wil...

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 pursued his dream of bringing specialty co...

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 delighted as Gail and Michaela discuss their u...

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 quality and safety, as she discusses her me...

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, Megan reveals her approach to season...

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, Charlie discusses the importance of using fr...

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, including the decadent Oreo rolls that ...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler reconnects with the delightful Jen Barney, owner of Meringue Bakery in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Jen shares her journey of expanding her bakery while also launching the Better Baker Academy, a digital platform aimed at helping fellow bakers and restaurant owners efficiently train their staff. With a focus on creating a positive work environment, Jen discusses h...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler sits down with Dylan, the manager of the Kane Street Community Garden, part of the Hunger Task Force of La Crosse. Dylan shares the inspiring mission behind the garden, which aims to combat food insecurity by growing fresh produce for the community. With a target of 40,000 pounds this season, Dylan discusses the innovative strategies they’re employing to maximize th...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler is joined by the ever-enthusiastic Justin, owner of Corbin's Chill-N-Grill Food Trailer and the Spice Rack. Justin shares his culinary journey, revealing the secrets behind his delicious cheese curds and mouthwatering sauces that have become local favorites. With a playful nod to their last conversation, they revisit the amusing backstory of how Justin acquired his f...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Elsie and Lee from Elsie's Bar and Grill in Caledonia, where they dive into the exciting world of catering and food truck cuisine. The duo shares their journey of launching a food trailer, detailing the mouthwatering options available, from smoked brisket to delicious wraps that leave customers craving more.

Listeners will get the inside scoop on E...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler welcomes back Clara from Clara Bakes, diving deep into the delightful world of baking. Clara shares her journey from baking with her grandmother to running her own baking business, where she specializes in macarons and intricate cakes that tell a story.

The conversation flows as Clara reveals the secrets behind her stunning macarons, from the precise techniques of me...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler welcomes a lively group of senior nutrition and dietetics majors from Viterbo University, along with their instructor, Tiffany Lein. The students share their journey toward becoming registered dietitians, explaining the importance of their degree in debunking nutrition myths and providing science-backed dietary advice.

The conversation flows into practical cooking ti...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler is joined by her husband, Barry, as they prepare for a festive Easter celebration. With Barry's expertise in holiday menu planning, the couple dives into the perfect Easter menu, discussing proteins like smoked prime rib, ham with bourbon and maple syrup glaze, and the crowd-pleasing turkey. They also share tips for delicious sides, including homemade creamed corn an...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler is joined by the dynamic duo, Mad Dog and Merrill from Midwest Grillin, as they gear up for the highly anticipated La Crosse Sports Show. With a decade of experience at the show, the grillologists share their excitement for this year's event and what's in store for attendees.

Listeners will be treated to a sneak peek of the innovative grilling techniques and rec...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler welcomes back Emily and Hannah from Hunt and Gather Grazing Boards. The duo dives into the art of charcuterie and grazing boards, discussing their unique offerings that go beyond traditional meat and cheese arrangements. From brunch boards to dessert boards, they share how their catering business has evolved since its inception on Valentine's Day 2021.

Listeners...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Angie Horkan, known as the Beef Lady from the Wisconsin Beef Council. Together, they dive into the world of beef, exploring its nutritional benefits and sharing some of the most popular recipes from the past year. Angie shares insights from her extensive experience in beef marketing and cooking, including tips for making delicious beef dishes at home.

Listen...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Jennifer from Tansy's Traveling Kitchen and Sabrina from Wilma's Cakes for an exciting discussion about their new collaboration. With a shared passion for gluten-free and nut-free baking, Sabrina introduces listeners to her bakery's offerings, which include a variety of delicious cakes, cookies, and even savory items—all made withou...