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Although the podcast is no longer active, it is still available on all major podcasting platforms.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
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.
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.
Bar X & Beer Bar - Old Bar, New Tricks
Prior to 2010, if you mentioned Bar X to a Salt Lake City resident, a very particular image came to mind: a dive bar, cheap beer, no women allowed (until 1986, that is). It wouldn’t necessarily be considered a downtown hot spot that locals and visitors flocked to. But when Bar X went up for sale, a very ambitious group had a vision for what Downtown Salt Lake City could be and knew that a revamped Bar X was the starting point.
Uinta Brewing Company - It All Comes Back to the Beer
Uinta Brewing Company opened their doors in 1993 with a sole focus on craft brewing -- no pubs or bars, just really great beer. Salt Lake City wasn’t known as a brewing mecca, and previous breweries had all opened with a restaurant attached. So to outsiders, co-founders Will Hamill and Dell Vance were taking a chance, but they had an ace up their sleeve: they knew how to make really, really good beer.
Food Tips With Foodies - An Evening Out in SLC
On this episode of The Utah Foodie Podcast, we bring in two of our state's top food writers and critics to help us craft a perfect night out on the town exploring Salt Lake City's food scene.
This is our third installment in our monthly "Food Tips With Foodies" series where we bring in local food experts and talk food for an hour on a pre-selected topic. Last month, we explored Breakfast & Brunch in Utah with Chris Holifield of I Am Salt Lake and Chelsea Nelson of Heartbeat Nosh. In October, we brought in Amanda Rock of Amanda Eats SLC and Jeffrey Steadman from Yelp.com to talk about Fine Dining options around the state.
Avenues Proper - Craft Beer, Great Patios, and Good Food
Avenues Proper: A staple for those in the Avenues neighborhood, and a worthy destination for those who aren't. Nestled upon 376 8th Ave, it’s quaint, it’s friendly, and they serve up great craft beer with an equally impressive food menu. And in our opinion, they’ve got one of the best patios around in the summertime.
Squatters - A History of Utah’s Purveyor in Craft Brewing
Since quietly opening their doors on Broadway in 1989, Squatters has become a Utah staple in the restaurant and brewing scene. But when co-founders Peter Cole and Jeff Polychronis were getting started, their intentions were simple: they just wanted great beer, a friendly atmosphere, and a culture focused on quality, their community, and the environment.
Whiskey Street - What It’s Like to Run a Bar in Utah
In this episode of The Utah Foodie Podcast, we interview two of the gentlemen behind Whiskey Street, owner and proprietor Jason LeCates, and executive chef Matt Crandall. After launching Bourbon House in 2011, Matt and Jason set out to do it again. But this time they had more funding, a better location, and a drive to create an upscale whiskey bar that boasts a great drink menu and a strong food offering.