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Although the podcast is no longer active, it is still available on all major podcasting platforms.

•••

Host: Chase Murdock
Co-Host / Marketing: Keni Nelson
Producer: Ryan Samanka

Epic Brewing Company - Packaging Experiences In a Bottle
restaurants, bars, beer, breweries, food trucks Ry Samanka restaurants, bars, beer, breweries, food trucks Ry Samanka

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.

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Bruges Waffles and Frites - Share the Fun, Waffles, and Frites

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.

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Project Pineapple - Vacation in a Pineapple
farmers market, food trucks, sweets Ry Samanka farmers market, food trucks, sweets Ry Samanka

Project Pineapple - Vacation in a Pineapple

Adam Malmborg was destined to be an entrepreneur. His mind was always running with ideas, and his creativity and problem solving needed to be free from the confines of the 9-5 grind. One day while wandering at a market he stumbled upon a lemonade stand that had a long, winding line. Adam was blown away by people’s commitment to buy a $7 lemonade in the summer sun, and his mind began to race. What other cold, delicious treats could be provided?

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Chedda Burger - Give It Your All, or Don’t Even Try
restaurants, food trucks Ry Samanka restaurants, food trucks Ry Samanka

Chedda Burger - Give It Your All, or Don’t Even Try

When Nick Watts founded Chedda Truck, it was more of an online concept than a real company. Working multiple jobs and needing a creative outlet, Nick would stop by the farmers market during his free time to find the perfect ingredients for his homemade grilled cheese creations. His Chedda Truck Twitter account began to grow, and in a moment of generosity, a friend who owned a tattoo parlor offered him an evening to bring his grilled cheese out into the world for some of his customers.

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