Serving up locally sourced, free-range storytelling.
There's no way around it. The food business sucks.
Eight out of 10 restaurants don’t make it beyond the first 18 months. The profit margins are razor-thin, competition is fierce, and every diner with a Yelp account thinks they’re a food critic.
But here’s the thing—the ones who succeed aren’t just in it for the food—they’re in it for the love of the craft. They’re the bold dreamers who transform simple ingredients into unforgettable experiences that bring people together. They know the odds, and still, they pour everything into making magic happen.
Because the secret ingredient isn’t on the menu. It’s in the people behind it.
In partnership with KRCL 90.9 FM, ”The Utah Foodie Podcast” was a showcase of the Utah food scene where we interviewed the state’s top chefs, restaurateurs, and culinary entrepreneurs.
Although the podcast is no longer active, it is still available on all major podcasting platforms.
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Host: Chase Murdock
Co-Host / Marketing: Keni Nelson
Producer: Ryan Samanka
Sweet Lake Biscuits & Limeade - It's All Gravy (and Limeade)
Like many great food businesses in our state, Sweet Lake Biscuits & Limeade began at the Farmer's Market. But before Sweet Lake opened its doors, owner and founder Hasen Cone was working a corporate job in a cubicle, and he wasn't satisfied with his work.
La Barba Coffee – Good Coffee For Everyone
La Barba got its start selling small-batch coffee in farmers markets and searching for local businesses interested in carrying fair trade, direct trade, and rainforest alliance certified coffee. They were passionate about their roasting technique and had a simple mission that drove what they did: bring good coffee to everyone in Utah.
Meditrina (and Porch) - A Chef/Owner That Does What She Wants
When it comes to personality, Meditrina has it in spades. From its lovely wine menu to its quirky design and deep purple interior, this is a restaurant that does small plates right.
Table X - X Marks the Spot for Thoughtful, Honest Food
Utah has always had its own take on fine dining. Forget white linen and dozens of utensils. Farm-to-table has reigned supreme, and a hyper-detailed commitment to quality has made restaurants like Forage, Pago, and Handle the new standard in the state. And with new restaurants like HSL and Table X joining their ranks, chefs and entrepreneurs are putting Utah on the culinary map.
Fisher Brewing Company - "We're Beer Guys Who Wanted to Make a Beer Place"
A. Fisher Brewing Company’s story began in 1884, named after its entrepreneurial founder, Albert Fisher. But beer and life were different in the late 1800's. Craft beer wasn't yet a twinkle in Salt Lake City's eye, and it was rare for a company to grow beyond a few employees. Fisher Brewing smashed through both norms, employing over 200 employees and producing more than 75,000 barrels per year.
The Rose Establishment - Bloom Where You Are Planted
Coffee shops have taken on a very important social role in communities. They facilitate local art, local food and beverage vendors, and serve as warm and quiet places for people to work, collaborate, and gather. However, the social aspect has lessoned as coffee shops have more and more evolved into places of work. The Rose Establishment, however, wanted to bring the social back to the equation.
Chelsea Nelson and the Craft Cocktail Takeover
We've often talked about the craft cocktail scene in Utah, especially on episodes with Bar X, Handle + HSL, Zest, and Beehive Distilling. The last 10 years has been a craft cocktail renaissance (of sorts), and the emerging popularity of these beverages has taken a firm hold of our quickly growing state.
Argentina's Best Empanadas - Shaping SLC One Empanada At a Time
Ana Valdemoros grew up surrounded by food. Whether it was a family meal, a get-together with friends, or a neighborhood gathering, food was a staple. Ana was raised in Argentina, a country that blends Italian and regional Argentinian cuisines to create simple, hearty, flavorful meals that always draw from local ingredients. When Ana moved to Salt Lake City for college in 2000, it quickly became apparent that Utah was in dire need of an authentic Argentina experience.
Tin Angel Cafe - Where Art Meets Community
There are many motivations to enter the restaurant business. Maybe you love to cook and are looking for a culinary challenge. Or possibly you are a competitive person who is looking for a creative entrepreneurial challenge. But some people just want to create a community. For Kestrel and Jerry K Leidtke Jr., community was the most important part of all.
Pulp Lifestyle Kitchen - The Flavor Is In The Details
Utah is experiencing an influx of food diversification. No longer must we settle for chain restaurants, or the same three cuisines over and over again. With our expanding food scene comes more options for consumers, better quality food, and a large variety of options for those who have specific dietary needs.
Amanda Rock and the Vegan Takeover
There’s been a re-veganing. Our podcast serves many purposes, but our biggest priority is to educate and surprise Utahns with our growing and diverse food scene. And nowhere is that more apparent than this episode where we not only surprise you with the bountiful vegan and vegetarian options in our community but also surprise you with super special guest host, Amanda Rock.
Epic Brewing Company - Packaging Experiences In a Bottle
When Epic Brewing Company opened its doors in 2010, they offered a unique craft beer that was a little hard to find in other areas of the state. They sold a high alcohol content beer in 22oz bottles and were empowered by new liquor laws that allowed them to sell their beer products directly from the brewery. Their goal then, and still today, was to turn craft brewing on its head. And indeed they have.
Pig & a Jelly Jar - Southern Charm Served Up Hot and Fresh
There’s something about Southern cooking that evokes the memories of warm feelings, lazy afternoons, and cool summer nights. Southern cuisine is all about sharing and comfort, and the focus on family is dominant. While Utah doesn’t necessarily have the same kind of charm as the South, we definitely have the same love for family and large, traditional meals. For Amy Britt, the desire to bring her childhood experience to Utah complimented our community perfectly.
Bruges Waffles and Frites - Share the Fun, Waffles, and Frites
Pierre Vandamme was born in Brugge, Belgium, and grew up with frites and waffle stands serving as the go-to hangout spot for him and his friends. Food mainly served as a social element for Pierre, but deep family traditions and an immense variety of food in Belgian cuisine always kept his mind and stomach intrigued. When the opportunity to move to the United States arrived, Pierre and his wife made the jump to Salt Lake City.
Penny Ann's Cafe - From New York With Love (and Pancakes)
Paul, Warren, Penny Ann, and Cindy are all members of the close-knit Willey family and moved to Utah by way of New York. They grew up around food and were more than familiar with the important role a family-style, comfortable, relaxing restaurant has in a community. After relocating to Utah and gaining experience in the Utah food scene, the Willey team knew that a family establishment serving delicious, consistent, mouth-watering food was desperately needed. From there, Penny Ann's Cafe was born.
Scott Evans - Pago, Finca, East Liberty Tap House, Hub & Spoke, and Trestle Tavern
Let us make a bold statement: Scott Evans is the personification of what we stand for as a podcast. In 2009, Scott saw the potential of Utah’s food scene, the cuisine and concept gaps in the area, and decided he was ready to do something about it.
R&R BBQ - Competitive Fire to Smoke Your Brisket
When you think about BBQ, the South immediately comes to mind. It’s the birthplace of BBQ, and opinions are strong. But for Rod and Roger Livingston, the founders of R&R BBQ, BBQ was a fond memory from their childhood family reunions and a fun hobby in their adulthood. After prompting from a friend, Rod and Roger entered a backyard BBQ competition, and before they knew it, they were on the competitive BBQ circuit. And they were good. Really good.
Alamexo Mexican Kitchen - Acclaimed Chef Shows Victory is Spicy
Some people spend their whole lives chasing their dreams. For Matt Lake, his life path became clear at the young age of 11. His parents took over a general store and began a small deli catering business, and Matt quickly dove into the family business. Whether helping run an event, putting together deli trays, or interacting with customers, Matt fell in love with the food industry. And he fell hard. So hard, in fact, that at the ripe age of 18 he enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America. And he’s been on the food path ever since.
PJK's Creamery - A Flavorful, Fresh Take on Ice Cream Rolls Into Town
On this episode of The Utah Foodie, we sit down with Peter Korth, the founder of PJK Creamery, your new favorite ice cream supplier. With 16 playful flavors and seasonal flavors appearing monthly, Peter has accomplished something that many in Utah have not: he’s made ice cream an experience.
The Utah Foodie Reheated - The Future of Chocolate Is in… Utah?
On this episode of The Utah Foodie, we dive into the blossoming craft chocolate scene that can be found in Utah. We’ll explore why chocolate in Utah is gaining such popularity, the process of how a simple cacao bean can turn into delicious chocolate, and what artisan chocolatiers have learned through their wild and delicious chocolate journey. With insight from the founders of The Chocolate Conspiracy, Millcreek Cacao, Solstice Chocolate, and Caputo’s Market, we receive a Master Class on what chocolate means for Utah.