Some of the new "crop" of Chef's in the community show their stuff. 

Some of the new "crop" of Chef's in the community show their stuff.

Coulee Region Cooks is your guide to discovering the people, businesses, and ideas shaping our local food and wellness community with host, Courtney Vaaler. From hidden-gem restaurants and farmers market vendors to food manufacturers, coffee roasters, and wellness experts, every episode introduces you to something new in the Coulee Region. 

Catch Coulee Region Cooks on the radio Thursday mornings at 10am on WIZM, 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM and 1410 AM.

Coulee Region Cooks is your guide to discovering the people, businesses, and ideas shaping our local food and wellness community with host, Courtney Vaaler. From hidden-gem restaurants and farmers market vendors to food manufacturers, coffee roasters, and wellness experts, every episode introduces you to something new in the Coulee Region.&nbsp;
Catch Coulee Region Cooks on the radio Thursday mornings at 10am on WIZM, 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM and 1410 AM.

COULEE REGION COOKS

Grow cooking contest winners 5-12

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler sits down with Ruth, the passionate owner of Good Granola, LLC. Ruth shares her inspiring journey from a happy accident at a local farmer's market to building a thriving granola business over the past six years. She explains how the Wisconsin cottage food code allowed her to start selling her delicious granola right from her home kitchen and the challenges she faced along the way.

Listeners will be intrigued as Ruth reveals the secrets behind her unique blends, including her top sellers like the coffee chocolate cashew granola and the Midwest Forager's favorite, packed with freeze-dried fruits and nuts. With 11 different flavors to choose from, Ruth discusses how she crafts her granola using quality ingredients like honey and coconut oil, ensuring that her products are both tasty and nutritious.

As the conversation unfolds, Ruth shares her exciting transition from a cottage baker to operating out of a licensed kitchen, highlighting the resources available for budding entrepreneurs in the Coulee region. Tune in to discover how Ruth is expanding her reach through wholesale opportunities and learn about the upcoming holiday markets where you can find her delicious granola. This episode is a delightful exploration of passion, community, and the joy of good food!

In this episode of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CouleeRegionCooks">Coulee Region Cooks</a>, host Courtney Vaaler sits down with Ruth, the passionate owner of <a href="https://good-granola.com/">Good Granola, LLC</a>. Ruth shares her inspiring journey from a happy accident at a local farmer's market to building a thriving granola business over the past six years. She explains how the Wisconsin cottage food code allowed her to start selling her delicious granola right from her home kitchen and the challenges she faced along the way.
Listeners will be intrigued as Ruth reveals the secrets behind her unique blends, including her top sellers like the coffee chocolate cashew granola and the Midwest Forager's favorite, packed with freeze-dried fruits and nuts. With 11 different flavors to choose from, Ruth discusses how she crafts her granola using quality ingredients like honey and coconut oil, ensuring that her products are both tasty and nutritious.
As the conversation unfolds, Ruth shares her exciting transition from a cottage baker to operating out of a licensed kitchen, highlighting the resources available for budding entrepreneurs in the Coulee region. Tune in to discover how Ruth is expanding her reach through wholesale opportunities and learn about the upcoming holiday markets where you can find her delicious granola. This episode is a delightful exploration of passion, community, and the joy of good food!

Crunching the Code: Ruth's Granola Success and Cottage Food Insights

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Chef Jimmy Wilson, a culinary dynamo and recent competitor in the Favorite Chef competition. Chef Jimmy shares his journey from a classically trained chef to a local culinary influencer, highlighting his experiences at Bay Harbor Senior Living and Hy-Vee where he conducts chef demonstrations. Get ready to be inspired as he discusses the challenges and triumphs of competing against over 60,000 contestants, ultimately finishing in an impressive 13th place!

Listeners will be captivated by Chef Jimmy’s passion for cooking, as he dives into his signature dishes, including a delectable salmon with bearnaise sauce and his award-winning chili recipe that has taken home trophies in various cook-offs. Discover how he creatively incorporates different chilies to elevate his chili game and learn about his upcoming participation in the Healthy America competition with Maxim magazine, where he aims to build his culinary presence even further.

As a special treat, Chef Jimmy reveals his exciting collaboration with Chef Kelly Snyder Zufelt on a new cookbook titled "A Table Between Us," which aims to bridge the gap between classical techniques and home cooking flexibility. This cookbook promises to be a delightful resource for anyone looking to enhance their culinary skills, featuring budget-friendly recipes and tips for making delicious meals with what you have on hand. Tune in for a fun and informative episode that will leave you eager to cook!

In this episode of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CouleeRegionCooks">Coulee Region Cooks</a>, host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Chef Jimmy Wilson, a culinary dynamo and recent competitor in the Favorite Chef competition. Chef Jimmy shares his journey from a classically trained chef to a local culinary influencer, highlighting his experiences at Bay Harbor Senior Living and Hy-Vee where he conducts chef demonstrations. Get ready to be inspired as he discusses the challenges and triumphs of competing against over 60,000 contestants, ultimately finishing in an impressive 13th place!
Listeners will be captivated by Chef Jimmy&rsquo;s passion for cooking, as he dives into his signature dishes, including a delectable salmon with bearnaise sauce and his award-winning chili recipe that has taken home trophies in various cook-offs. Discover how he creatively incorporates different chilies to elevate his chili game and learn about his upcoming participation in the Healthy America competition with Maxim magazine, where he aims to build his culinary presence even further.
As a special treat, Chef Jimmy reveals his exciting collaboration with Chef Kelly Snyder Zufelt on a new cookbook titled "A Table Between Us," which aims to bridge the gap between classical techniques and home cooking flexibility. This cookbook promises to be a delightful resource for anyone looking to enhance their culinary skills, featuring budget-friendly recipes and tips for making delicious meals with what you have on hand. Tune in for a fun and informative episode that will leave you eager to cook!

From Competition to Collaboration: Chef Jimmy Wilson's Culinary Journey

In this episode of Coulee Region Cooks, host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Lindsay Moe, the creative force behind The Live-In Kitchen, a vibrant food blog that goes beyond recipes to explore the art of vegetarian and vegan cooking. Lindsay shares her journey as a food photographer and the challenges she faces in the ever-evolving digital landscape, particularly with the rise of AI-generated content. Together, they delve into the importance of maintaining the integrity of original recipes and the impact of AI on content creators.

Listeners will be intrigued as Lindsay discusses her recent transition from blogging to working as a cupcake decorator at Meringue Bakery, where she brings her unique flair to sweet treats. She shares tips for decorating cupcakes and the creative process behind her delicious recipes, including a delightful apple appetizer and her take on fall flavors with pumpkin and apple dishes. From savory pumpkin pizza to a refreshing apple cider cocktail, this episode is packed with inspiration for the upcoming season.

Join Courtney and Lindsay as they explore the nuances of vegetarian cooking, share practical tips for home cooks, and discuss exciting new recipes, including a creamy wild rice and mushroom soup and a decadent pumpkin seed butter treat. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, this episode is sure to spark your creativity in the kitchen!

In this episode of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CouleeRegionCooks">Coulee Region Cooks</a>, host Courtney Vaaler welcomes Lindsay Moe, the creative force behind&nbsp;<a href="https://theliveinkitchen.com/">The Live-In Kitchen</a>, a vibrant food blog that goes beyond recipes to explore the art of vegetarian and vegan cooking. Lindsay shares her journey as a food photographer and the challenges she faces in the ever-evolving digital landscape, particularly with the rise of AI-generated content. Together, they delve into the importance of maintaining the integrity of original recipes and the impact of AI on content creators.
Listeners will be intrigued as Lindsay discusses her recent transition from blogging to working as a cupcake decorator at Meringue Bakery, where she brings her unique flair to sweet treats. She shares tips for decorating cupcakes and the creative process behind her delicious recipes, including a delightful apple appetizer and her take on fall flavors with pumpkin and apple dishes. From savory pumpkin pizza to a refreshing apple cider cocktail, this episode is packed with inspiration for the upcoming season.
Join Courtney and Lindsay as they explore the nuances of vegetarian cooking, share practical tips for home cooks, and discuss exciting new recipes, including a creamy wild rice and mushroom soup and a decadent pumpkin seed butter treat. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, this episode is sure to spark your creativity in the kitchen!

Grow cooking contest winners 5-12

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