COULEE REGION COOKS

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 celebrates Puerto Rican baked goods.

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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 intrigued as Sarah discusses her passion fo...

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 will be captivated by Reagan's story of how a...

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 sourdough could be a delicious solution.

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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 how she guides clients on their path to...

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, perfect for kids or those looking for a s...

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...