The In Good Taste Denver Podcast

This conversation is a real eye-opener about what goes into creating, running, and maintaining a food market. We all shop for groceries but this podcast with Pete Marczyk, co-founder the CEO of Marczyk Fine Foods will make you look at food shopping, starting a business, and nurturing a business, in a whole new way.

Big, good things are happening in Colorado's Town of Silverthorne for locals and visitors. One of those things is the Bluebird Market Hall at Fourth Street Crossing. When we visited Silverthorne, we got to visit the Hall and tour it with Scott Vollmer, director of property operations. We wanted to share some of Scott's insights and information in a podcast, to help you understand what went into the planning of Bluebird Market Hall (it was happening during the worst of the pandemic), what the intentions are, and how to make the most of your visit.

Meet the co-owners of Trellis Wine Bar, a spot in Denver's Park Hill Neighborhood that combines wine, nibbles, education, camaraderie and more. In this podcast, we speak to Alisha Stoltz and Ilona Botton about their friendship, passion for wine and community, and the steps they took to open their small business. Learn more by clicking on our article on the InGoodTasteDenver.com blog.

The desire to bring his family's Korean fried chicken to the general public James Park to found WingWok Korean Wok-Fried Chicken, a fast-casual, carry-out-only restaurant in Centennial, Colorado. But it was his friendship with Partner & Proprietor, Brian Gunning, and Partner & Developer, Zach Frisch, that made starting the new business (during a pandemic) feel really doable and fun. Listen to the three friends, dads, and entrepreneurs talk about what's unique about their food, preparation, business model and intention. And find out what's behind "The Fried Chicken Miracle(TM)!"

Josh Wolkon, owner of Steuben's restaurant in Denver, Colorado, was one of the first, if not THE first, person to bring authentic Maine lobster rolls to landlocked Colorado, nearly a decade ago. Among east coast transplants and visitors, as well as Coloradans, they've been one of the most popular items on the "American classics" restaurant menu. Wolkon talks to us about the styles, which parts of the lobster made the best sandwich, why the pandemic resulted in a boom of lobster roll requests, and more. Turns out, there's a lot more to the lobster roll experience than just a simple and pricey sandwich. Although Steuben's serves lobster rolls in their restaurant, they have also started offering Lobster Roll Kits to make them at home. We talk about those too. Learn more and see photos at www.InGoodTasteDenver.com.

In this episode, we talk with Jessica Benjamin, founder of First Bite: Boulder Restaurant Week and Dakota Soifer, chef and owner of Cafe Aion. The two discuss the foodie event happening October 8-17, 2021, but also the state of the restaurant world in Colorado and the difficult role restaurateurs have to play during the pandemic.

Just as the world, including restaurants, were having to close down for the pandemic, Michael Joseph was opening a new business. The founder of Scratch Kitchen launched a takeout and delivery concept quite unlike any other - seven different restaurant concepts, each with their own name and menus, under one roof and overall name: Scratch Kitchen. Now with two storefronts and 1000 planned, nationwide, Michael is onto something. Hear more about his backstory, the concept, and his big plans for bringing clean-label meals to your home.

Hear "sandwich, soup, salad" and you think basics of a menu. But at Exalted Sandwich, a new company in Colorado, it's so much more. Meet founder and owner, Jennifer Hayes in our podcast conversation about starting a business in a pandemic, following dreams, disrupting and industry, and making a really good meal.

We're checking in again with Bryant Palmer, Chief Storyteller at Stanley Marketplace, a collection of independent restaurants, shops and other businesses. There are always new and fun things going on at the Marketplace and now, with COVID restrictions easing and spring and summer upon us, there's really a lot going on.

Spring is coming, we're just sure of it, and with it comes new opportunities at Stanley Marketplace in Aurora. We visited with Bryant Palmer, Chief Storyteller for Stanley, about a new business, new ways to enjoy their big outdoor area, and more. Now that COVID restrictions are easing a bit, there are many reasons to visit Stanley Marketplace.

Upstairs and downstairs, the independent, Colorado businesses housed inside Stanley Marketplace continue to find creative ways to exist in a pandemic. We join Bryant Palmer, Chief Storyteller at Stanley Marketplace, for our monthly visit to find out what's new. A dramatic, interactive theater experience returns, at-home cooking classes are gearing up, and delivery of goods and food are made easy. Find out what else is happening in January. Learn more about Stanley Marketplace and find out what else we find to be In Good Taste in Colorado on our website, www.InGoodTasteDenver.com.

Every day, nutritious food and beverage is thrown out because it wasn't used or it looked imperfect but was otherwise perfectly good (we're looking at you, crooked carrots and dented cans). Arlan Preblud started the organization We Don't Waste to gather that unused but still fresh and viable food and beverage to provide to those in need of healthy meals and good nutrition. In the process, he's also helping to keep that food out of land fills which helps prevent further deterioration of our planet. Learn more about the program, We Don't Waste, and how it helps thousands of Coloradans, in our podcast conversation on the In Good Taste Denver podcast.

Imagine being responsible for a program that provides free meals to more than 1300 people in need, per week, across Colorado. Owen Ryan does just that, as CEO of Project Angel Heart. Listen to our podcast conversation with Owen who explains more about what the non-profit program is all about, how he, his staff, and many, many volunteers make sure that people with life-threatening illnesses can get high-nutrition meals because food is medicine!

Level Red restrictions are upon us in Colorado, but so are the holidays. We are joined again by Bryant Palmer, Chief Storyteller of Stanley Marketplace to talk about all the creative and convenient ways people can still enjoy the restaurants, shop the merchants, and retain their holiday spirit.

"Live and learn." Sometimes, we just have to do that. But other times, we can avoid some major hassles and a lot of pain if we learned from others who have been there, done that, and learned a better way. What started as a way for Colorado dad, Graham Williams, to gather wisdom from others as his son entered middle school, became a full-fledged business, Impart. Find out what Impart is all about and how it can help a lot of people in your life - and even yourself.

There's always so much going on at the Stanley Marketplace in Aurora, Colorado. In addition to their merchants and restaurants, Stanley Marketplace regularly has really unique special events. Starting this month, we've visiting with Bryant Palmer, Chief Storyteller at Stanley, about all that they have going on in November, 2020. Stay tuned for more podcasts with Bryant.

Our roundup of things we find to be In Good Taste in November is here! Find out which four events and activities we chose as our Hot Picks this month, in and around Denver.

Meet Kari Williams, co-owner of Colorado's Snow Capped Cider. If you've ever visited an orchard or cidery or imagined what it would be like to own and run one, you'll love this podcast. Kari shares her experiences and expertise into the business, especially in the art of cider making.

Get to know the man and the designs! Adrian is new to the fashion world, having pursued this creative and statement-filled outlet thanks to being forced into quarantine during the pandemic. The imposed time allowed him to learn a new skill and let his creativity flow.

Opening a new business is tough enough. Opening it just before the pandemic hit is another story. Learn more about owner, Aaron Kusch, and how he jumped off the corporate hamster wheel to follow his dream of running his own business in Colorado, Infuzed Soda Bar. Find out how he's making it work, despite quarantine obstacles.

Whether you've lived in Denver all your life or are just passing through, you can get to know the city in fun and interesting ways you could never do by just driving around. Join me for my conversation with Chris Englert, Head Motivator at Denver By Foot, a really cool website.

Hello! Welcome to the beginning of the In Good Taste Denver Podcast, where we tell the stories behind area food, arts, culture, and travel.