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Although the podcast is no longer active, it is still available on all major podcasting platforms.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
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.
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.
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.
The Utah Foodie Reheated - Utah's Coffee Journey
Join us as we hear from the experts at Blue Copper, Publik Coffee, 3 Cups Coffee, Three Pines Coffee, and Watchtower Cafe. While all of these businesses are connected by a common thread, they all offer their own unique and personalized touch, philosophy, and feel to a coffee experience.
Publik Coffee Roasters - Good Coffee, Great Community
One of the most prominent leaders for the third wave coffee revolution is Publik Coffee. The word “Publik” is derived from the Dutch word “Community,” and the feeling of community can be found in every chair, barista, and warm piece of toast. Publik’s dedication to creating a community for coffee lovers of all backgrounds has led to an accelerated expansion into The Avenues and Ninth & Ninth.
Watchtower Cafe - The Idea That Never Went Away
For Cori Hoekstra and Mike Tuiasoa, geekdom wasn’t a trend. It was a lifestyle. With strong roots in the Salt Lake City geek community, Cori and Mike were more than aware of the community's needs. With Cori’s background in coffee houses and restaurant management, and Mike’s desire to have ownership of a project, their shared dream of having the freedom to create something on their own motivated them to look for opportunities.
Millcreek Cacao Roasters - Love Is in the Heirloom
Mark DelVecchio and Dana Brewster have always been curious. With Mark's background as an educator and Dana's career as the owner of Millcreek Coffee Roasters, curiosity about the world around them and the food we consume has driven their careers and passions.
Three Pines Coffee - "This Is What Coffee Can Be, and You Should Enjoy It"
We bring in Three Pines Coffee’s founders to talk about their inspiration for their coffee shop and what they feel they have to offer to Salt Lake City’s coffee scene. We also learn about Nick Price’s rich experience as a barista, starting humbly at Beans & Brews before working at one of LA’s most respected coffee shops, Handsome Coffee. Last year, he competed in the US Barista Championship, and on the program, he shares stories from that competition and insight on what makes a great barista and how to brew the perfect cup of coffee.
Karma Cafe - Good Karma, Good Food, Good People
Growing up in Southern India, Venkat was all too familiar with the power of a home-cooked meal. It was what brought the family together, and was a detailed process that delivered high-quality, flavorful food that warmed the soul.
When Venkat moved to the United States to pursue graduate school, the thought of opening his own restaurant was always in the back of his mind. Though the local Utah Indian food scene was slowly growing, he felt it was missing truly authentic Southern Indian cuisine. But with an established career in the chemistry field, the timing never felt quite right.
Food Tips With Foodies - Breakfast and Brunch in Utah
On this episode of The Utah Foodie, we sit down with some movers and shakers in Utah who know a thing or two about the best breakfast and brunch spots throughout the state! This episode is the second installment of our monthly series, "Food Tips From Foodies," where we bring in some of Utah's best food critics, chefs, podcasters, and food enthusiasts to talk about everything and anything in the Utah food scene.
Dolcetti Gelato - Finding Love Through Gelato
Founded by Elizabeth and Mark England over ten years ago, this neighborhood staple specializes in homemade, locally flavored Italian delicacies that will take your mouth on a scenic tour of the Italian countryside. When Elizabeth and Mark began their endeavor into the food scene, Mark wanted an excuse to spend more time with Elizabeth. What better way to spend time with someone than through launching a gelato business together?
3 Cups Coffee - What it Takes to Open a Coffee Shop
Derek Belnap had been a barista at the Coffee Garden on 9th and 9th for almost a decade when he was approached about starting his own coffee shop. And just six short months later, he unveiled 3 Cups in Holladay with his pastry chef Amber Billingsley.
Blue Copper Coffee - A Conversation About Coffee With Patrick Andrews
In this episode of The Utah Foodie Podcast, we talk with Patrick Andrews, the man behind Blue Copper Roasters, a coffee roasting company that supplies the coffee and espresso beans to many high-end “third wave” coffee houses in Utah. In 2014, Blue Copper merged with No Brow Coffee and launched their new and improved Coffee Room on 179 West 900 South that offers tasting classes and a full offering of espresso and coffee drinks and baked goods.