After enjoying a backyard campfire, Russ Nelson’s daughter Grace suggested that their family should start a s’mores store. Nelson and his wife’s reactions weren’t “no way,” but “awesome – what would the hook be?”

Their interest was piqued. Nelson had been the general manager at Schwan’s Food Delivery for some time, and, after his experience in the independently operated company, he aspired to run his own business. Plus, the kids wouldn’t give up. “When the kids come up with an idea, we’d play along,” Russ said. “This seemed to not go away.”

Story by Ash Golangco

In 2007, Google needed a butcher for its Mountain View, California, campus’s Café Euro. It turned to Chef Kris Ott, a chef classically trained through work-studies in Paris, France and the California kitchens of Oliveto, The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil, and Black Cat. At Google, Ott taught staff and visiting chefs how to break down and prepare whole animals—a skill that, for him, was a fundamental part of learning to cook.

Aside from supporting local venues and actors after the pandemic, there’s one more reason why Boise residents will be thrilled for Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s reopening – and it’s called Act 3.

The Idaho Shakespeare Festival is known for allowing visitors to bring their own picnics to the show, but plenty of delicious picnic foods will also be available to you at the venue’s own cafe, Act 3! It’s a whole new venture by James Beard Nominee Sarah Kelly and her business partner and husband DK.

I still believe most people do not understand that the effects of the pandemic are still really hurting restaurants and that being open is not the same as being open before restrictions hit restaurants, especially in downtown Boise. We were looking for a lifeline to help us survive the summer months which have been extremely slowed due to the lack of businesspeople going into the office or companies that have still not come back. Another set back is that our landlord did not give us a break on our lease payments only a delay until July 1st, 2021, to repay the last 6 months rent on the space or roughly $24,600.

Just off Bannock Street in downtown Boise a small office is sandwiched between Mad Swede Brew Hall and 10 Barrel Brewing Co. The smell of beer fills the air, but what’s happening inside doesn’t match the atmosphere. There, less than 10 people are working quietly to bring plant-based butter to Idaho and beyond.

Story by Lex Nelson

2020 was a terrible year for restaurant owners and healthcare workers — but how was it for grapes? Wines bottled during the pandemic have started to appear on store shelves in Idaho, and as with every other vintage, the flavors and circumstances they capture are unique.

Ilene Dudunake, the owner of A New Vintage Wine Shop* in Meridian, said she has tasted predominantly roses and whites so far of the 2020 vintage, but already has a few favorites from Caldwell wineries.

Story by Lex Nelson

In case you still need another excuse to sit down with a cold glass of hard cider, we have one for you! June is Idaho Wine and Cider Month, so it’s an ideal time to sip on something delicious and support a local business at the same time. Here are four Idaho cideries to seek out before the month is through.

Story by Lex Nelson

It only takes a few minutes of chatting with Mel and Ryan Heuser to find out they don’t do anything halfway. After moving to Eagle with their three kids in 2018, the couple dove head-first into local-focused entrepreneurship. Mel, a self-proclaimed “serial entrepreneur,” first created the DIY workshop group Gather Idaho. Then she started Frontier Feathers Farm, a hobby farm complete with chickens, goats, an orchard and 18 gardening beds. Finally in August of 2020 the pair embarked on their biggest project yet — Coffee and Supply Co., Eagle’s newest pour-over coffee bar. It combined Mel’s business acumen with Ryan’s love of coffee.

Story by Lex Nelson

After more than a year of eager anticipation, the day has finally arrived: Boise Farmers Market (BFM) is reopening an in-person, walk-around market on Saturday, May 29, just in time for Memorial Day barbecues.

“We can’t wait to see the vendors back in person,” said BFM Market Manager Tamara Cameron. “We’re excited to get everyone back together.”

Story by Lex Nelson

Every year, thousands of people flock to urban and rural wineries in the Treasure Valley, including the 17 outposts on Idaho’s famous Sunny Slope Wine Trail. In 2021, those visits will look a bit different. Due to COVID-19, some tasting rooms are open on a reservation-only basis this summer, and others are enforcing mask wearing and social distancing.

Story by Lex Nelson

On Easter weekend 2021, Michele Bacquet realized her husband Franck’s restaurant was in crisis. It happened in what should have been a pleasant moment. The couple had invited the team from their Eagle eatery, Bacquet’s, over for an Easter meal at their home. Franck was in the kitchen cooking when Michelle sat down to plot the next week’s work schedule — and the numbers didn't add up.

Story by Lex Nelson

Pure Golden Growth: Hot Eric Honey flourishes in the Treasure Valley

Three years ago, autocorrect changed the course of Molly Munster’s life.

“I’m drinking rum with Hot Eric”

“Who’s Eric!?”

It was no mystery hunk that swept Molly off her feet, but a recipe that became a passion, and ultimately, a business that gained local, regional, and even national attention.

Story by Courtnie Dawson

From Wednesday-Thursday, June 16-17, a first-of-its-kind sustainability event will debut at The College of Idaho in Caldwell: The Carbon Summit. This two-day event is the brainchild of public benefit agency group US Energy. Its main focus will be regenerative sustainable agriculture, but that’s far from the only topic the 20-plus speakers will cover. As US Energy Development Director Jason Marmon put it, “We’re planting seeds and growing communities. The Carbon Summit was built out as a platform for identifying, promoting, and scaling eco solutions.”

Story by Lex Nelson

No passerby, whether local or tourist, has managed to walk down 8th street on City Peanut’s roasting day without commenting to each other, “What’s that? It smells good.”

The pandemic brought fear to City Peanut loyalists that the treasured shop would be forced into closure, that the inviting smell of roasted sweet and savory nuts would dissipate forever in a gloomy post-pandemic Boise. But Dan Balluff, owner of City Peanut, had created a fail-safe insurance policy to rely on during the difficult times: his relationships within Boise’s business community.

Story by Courtnie Dawson

Every 30-minute episode of the “The Table Rock” podcast starts with the hosts biting into a treat. Molly Tevis, the nutritionist from Alberstons, brought crisp firecracker slaw, brisket poutine, and Chilean plums to the Speak Boise podcast studio for her episode. Tara Morgan of Wild Plum Luncheonette arrived with a signature “graze board.” And when it was his turn, Dan Balluff, the owner of City Peanut Shop, offered Carolina reaper pepper peanuts that made host Alexander Milles’ face go numb.

Story by Lex Nelson

Camel’s Crossing hit Boise broadside, one of the first prix fixe dining locations in the city. As the pandemic landed in Ada County, they closed their doors, at first temporarily, then permanently. Suddenly, we have Hyde Park Wine Shop, with the same owners, same staff, even the same chefs, yet a completely different experience lies within those same doors. What happened?

Story by Courtnie Dawson

How much beer, wine, and liquor did you drink in 2020? Was it more or less than 2019? If you answered “more,” you’re solidly in the majority. According to NPR, sales of all alcohol for home consumption spiked 24% during the pandemic, and sales of spirits rose 27%. Two Idaho distilleries, Boise-based 44 North Vodka and Caldwell-based Koenig Distillery, rode the wave to new heights. At Koenig, Founder Andy Koenig saw 20-45% growth in select brands of his vodka, brandy, and whiskey in 2020.

Story by Lex Nelson

You’ve heard of limited-edition beers, action figures, and video game consoles — but what about limited-edition hot sauces? Not only does the concept exist, it’s available right here in Idaho. The Moscow-based company

Irish Spike’s Unique Hot Sauces specializes in short runs of 100–300 bottles of seasonal, local sauce along with year-round offerings. And this summer, owner and flavor mastermind Spike Connelly is bringing a FARE Idaho sauce to market.

Story by Lex Nelson

Idaho has 105 legislators, 82 breweries, and one person trying to get them all on the same page.

Sheila Francis, life-long rule-follower, realized she was in uncharted territory when she arrived on the scene of her brother Mike’s brewery, Payette Brewing Co.. Navigating the highly-regulated and vaguely-understood industry wreaked havoc on her nerves.

Can brewers do this? Is it legal to do that? How can we make this happen? Who knows? Not us.

Story by Courtnie Dawson

How would you like to open your door to a basket of local artisan bread, bagels, raspberry kolaches, and sourdough cinnamon rolls? Not only is that carb-fill fantasy possible, it’s been a reality for households across the Treasure Valley for the last five months. The treats come straight from the ovens of Hudson Baking Co. in Kuna. Twice a week, husband-wife team Anna and Aaron Hudson make the doughy deliveries to their buyers and subscribers.

Story by Lex Nelson