Coffee Chronicles: Unpacking the Science and Passion Behind MF Coffee Roastery with Efer Christopherson

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 …

Squeezing Success: Crafting Unique Lemonade Experiences with Coulee Lemon 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 …

Sweet Success: Allergy-Friendly Treats and Market Adventures with Sarah Burns of Omega Bakery

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 t…

Vintage Vibes: Culinary Journeys, Seasonal Menus, and Nostalgic Flavors with Chef Megan Larson

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…

Savoring Summer: Fresh Ingredients, New Creations, and Seasonal Events with Chef Charlie from Java Vino

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 summ…

Fired Up: Pizza Innovations and Tasty Adventures with Tom from Woodshed Mobile Wood-Fire Pizza

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. Wit…

Flour Power: Desserts, Training, and Mother’s Day Magic with Jen Barney

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 a…

Harvesting Hope: Community Gardening, Volunteering, and Sustainable Living with Dylan

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…

Spice It Up: Culinary Adventures and Saucy Innovations with Justin from Corbin's Chill-N-Grill

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 bec…

Taste of Caledonia: Catering, Karaoke, and Comfort Food with Elsie's

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 avai…