COULEE REGION COOKS

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...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler reunites with Kyle from Smokey's Bar and Grill for a lively conversation about the restaurant's mouthwatering menu and the exciting events happening in Holman. With a focus on the delicious offerings at Smokey's, Kyle shares updates on their famous homemade cheesecake and the ever-popular taco and burger specials that keep patrons coming back for more.

Listeners will...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler welcomes back Lindsay Moe from The Live-In Kitchen for an insightful discussion on incorporating vegetarian and vegan meals into your diet as New Year's resolutions approach. Lindsay shares her expertise on how to navigate dietary changes, offering practical tips for those looking to explore new eating habits without feeling overwhelmed.

Listeners will be delighted a...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Deb from Bluff Top Vineyards for a deep dive into the world of winemaking. As the winter months settle in, Deb shares insights into the vineyard's seasonal activities, including the therapeutic process of pruning their 2,500 vines and the preparations they undertake during the quiet months of January.

 Listeners will learn about the exciting upcoming wines, ...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler takes the reins solo, diving into the festive spirit with a focus on homemade Christmas gifts from the kitchen. With the holiday season fast approaching, Courtney reflects on the challenges of adult gift-giving and suggests a delightful alternative: creating heartfelt, edible gifts that are sure to impress loved ones.

Listeners will be introduced to a variety of simp...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler is joined by the beloved Megan Larson, the mastermind behind the soon-to-be-opened The Vintage Kitchen. After years of dreaming, Megan shares the exciting news of her brick-and-mortar restaurant, set to open its doors on December 6th. The duo reflects on Megan's journey from private chef to restaurant owner, discussing the serendipitous path that led her to acquire t...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler reunites with Teri Market, our resident fit foodie and expert personal trainer, fresh from her recent powerlifting competition in York, Pennsylvania. The duo dives deep into the often misunderstood world of protein, discussing why hitting daily protein goals can be more challenging than it seems.

Teri shares her insights on the common pitfalls of protein intake, espe...

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler welcomes back Chef Charlie George from JavaVino, a beloved staple in the La Crosse area. With years of culinary experience and a deep-rooted family history in the food industry, Charlie shares insights into the eclectic menu at JavaVino, which surprises many with its diverse offerings beyond coffee and wine.

Listeners will discover the unique dishes that make up...