Meet our Makers

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Backstory Coffee

Micah Svejda
Saint Paul

Bootstrap Coffee Roasters was started by industry veteran Micah Svejda in 2014. At the heart of the vision was a focus on sourcing excellent, sustainable and traceable coffees in season, careful roasting and amazing customer support! “We believe that economic and environmental sustainability are inseparable from quality. Therefore, we seek coffees that are both of excellent sensory quality AND that are produced and purchased with deep respect for people and planet. We are happy to share the story and the results of this with you!”

View Micah's Maple Cold Brew recipe here!

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Coccinella Mediterranean Heritage

Suayip and Seher Kaplan
Edina

(Pictured: Seher Kaplan)

Suayip and Seher Kaplan and their two sons came to the Twin Cities from Turkey to share their knowledge of living a healthy Mediterranean lifestyle. Their premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is made from hand-picked olives, harvested using practices designed to maximize polyphenol antioxidants within the final product.

"As a family, we deeply value good nutrition. Extra Virgin Olive Oil, EVOO, is an essential part of our Mediterranean diet and know that not every EVOO is the same. The production process makes all the difference in flavor and quality. Our goal is to work meticulously to preserve the fresh taste of the EVOO and, most importantly, maintain high polyphenol and antioxidants! We are committed to organic farming to positively improve climate change."

Visit their store in Edina, Minnesota to peruse their luxurious textiles handwoven from Turkish cotton, as well as their collection of ceramics and blown glass!

Use Coccinella's premium EVOO in our Mediterranean Tomato Salad and Crusty Bread Dipping Oil recipes!

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Cry Baby Craig's

Craig Kaiser
Faribault

Cry Baby Craig's Pickled Habanero and Garlic Hot Sauce has a loyal fan base that is spreading nationwide! Local Chef Craig Kaiser invented the recipe by accident when he was delivered too many peppers and pickled them to preserve them. This creates a unique, bright and refreshing flavor that pairs with just about anything. Craig recently moved his kitchen to Faribault so he could expand to meet the growing demand for his fantastic product. When he's not in the kitchen, you'll often find Craig helping out on charity causes with other local chefs.

Try Craig's very own Brown Butter Wing Sauce recipe!

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facepunch foods minnesota hot sauce mark petersen

Facepunch Foods

Mark Petersen
Stillwater

Facepunch Hot Sauce will knock your socks off! This local company evolved over many years as a family affair: growing, cultivating, and bonding while making small batch hot sauces for themselves and friends. Finally, in 2017, Mark Petersen launched Facepunch commercially into the fanatical foray of hot sauce. His family of 4 unique hot sauce varieties strike a perfect balance of flavor and heat. Our featured flavor is Hot Banana Pepper. It is relatively mild, but oh so flavorful! We especially love it on salads and sandwiches. Naturally neon yellow in color, it is bright, and tangy with only a pinch of heat.

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Hacienda San Jose

Monica Jimenez
Minneapolis

"If we make the best cacao beans in the world, it’s time to make the best chocolate... And so we did", says Monica Jimenez, founder of Hacienda San Jose Chocolate. This chocolate is sourced from her family's award-winning, 90-year-old cacao plantation, Hacienda San Jose, in Los Rios, Ecuador.

In 2018, Monica introduced her single-origin chocolate bars and baking morsels to her now Twin Cities home market. This is no ordinary chocolate... let a rich smooth square melt in your mouth. Or trying some of their baking chocolate to whip up delectables in your kitchen. As an added bonus, we all know the health benefits of real chocolate right?

Hacienda San Jose chocolate shines in Sarah Beth Tanner's No-Bake Dark Chocolate Pot de Creme!

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david leigh taylor hellraising hot sauce

Hellraising Hot Sauce

David and Leigh Taylor
Minneapolis

Hellraising Hot Sauce was created in Minneapolis in 2013 by husband and wife team David and Leigh Taylor, and their passion for all things spicy. Hellraising Hot Sauces are made from the finest quality ingredients with a goal of striking just the right balance between flavor and heat. Check out their awards and great recipes on their website.

Amaze your brunch guests with the Taylors' Hellraising Hot Sauce Overnight Egg Bake!

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Helstrom Farms

Jason Helstrom
Hibbing

Jason Helstrom runs Helstrom Farms with his family in Hibbing on northern Minnesota’s Iron Range. Their family farm dates back five generations, and in true, rugged "sisu" (Finnish word for hard work) Iron Range spirit, the Helstrom family has persisted through many challenges, working to keep the farm running. Their perseverance paid off - now practicing holistic, sustainable farming - the farm is flourishing with abundant soils, naturally rich in nutrients and minerals, and raising healthy and hearty livestock.

Helstrom Farms has a mission to take care of the environment, raise animals ethically and healthily, and provide clean and nutritious products for their customers. They offer a variety of cut meats, protein packages, and tasty beef sticks.

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Hippy Feet

Hippy Feet

Michael Mader
Minneapolis

Hippy Feet is a Minneapolis based socks and apparel company dedicated to providing resources and opportunities to young people affected by homelessness. Hippy Feet is committed to donating 50% of their net profits to charities that are working to end youth homelessness. Donations fund initiatives such as transitional housing programs, employment and job readiness training, and mental health services like mental health or substance abuse counseling.

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International Gourmet

Csilla Grauzer
Saint Paul

Csilla Grauzer has been baking and cooking for over 30 years. Her mother, a Hungarian immigrant, was recruited to become the lead master baker for St. Paul Grand Avenue's famed restaurant and bakery, Cafe Latte when it opened in 1984. Csilla was also hired to help bake as well as translate for her mother.

Over the years Csilla has honed her exceptional baking technique. She has developed an extensive line of more healthful alternatives to traditional baked goods that can be enjoyed by everyone. Csilla develops recipes professionally and is inspired by an international palette of flavors. International Gourmet offers homemade sweet and savory baked goods and granola for a health-conscious diet. Their snacks are full of flavor and free from gluten, grains, sugar, yeast, and GMOs.

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Janet's Finest Compotes

Jessica Amel and Angela Kmeck
Minneapolis

Janet’s Finest Compotes is a family owned and operated business, started by our mom, Janet, in our home kitchen in the 1990s.  Produced in Northeast Minneapolis, our eight berry and jalapeño compote flavors are all natural with no artificial preservatives.  Our compotes offer food enthusiasts fruit preserves made with the finest of berries accented with a jalapeño kick perfect for the entertaining table.  Enjoyed by the ultimate cheese lovers, our compotes pair well with a variety of cheeses and are a great complement to cheese boards. All of us at Janet’s Finest delight in gathering and sharing a good meal with friends!

Jessica's Baked Brie recipe will bring your charcuterie boards and grazing tables to the next level!

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K-Mama Korean Hot Sauce

K.C. Kye
Minneapolis

Initially sweet with a rich and buttery middle and a spicy tang at the end, K-Mama Sauce adds an authentic, delicious kick to appetizers, salads, soups, and entrees of any style. K-Mama is 100% vegan, non-GMO, and MSG-free. It comes in Mild, Hot, and Gluten-Free too!

"My mother made sauce that was a bit sweet, complex, spicy, and went on a variety of Korean dishes. Once I moved to Minnesota I felt a bit empty. I soon realized it was because I missed my mom's home-cooked meals. That is how I came up with K-Mama Sauce." says Founder, K.C. Kye. After you try the delicious flavor K-Mama imparts, you will never want to go without a bottle in the fridge.

K.C. has provided us with his very own recipe for Korean Chicken Tacos, guaranteed to please all palates!

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Kobi Co.

Kobi Co.

Kobi & Tasha
Minneapolis

Kobi Co. is a candle company that sits at the intersection of scent, sound and self-care, pairing hand-poured luxury candles with dope playlists to help you set your vibe. We're a mother-daughter duo who believe self care is non-negotiable, and we want our candles & music to help you be your best self. We believe businesses bear a responsibility to take care of their customers, to be stewards of the planet, and to do their part to create a more just and equitable world. We believe in Black Girl Magic. We believe mental health, especially Black mental health, is paramount. We believe music has the power to heal. (Especially Prince's music.)

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Legendary Mr. B's

Curt Bradley
Apple Valley

About 40 years ago, the Legendary Mr. B (and his sauces) floated upstream from the Mississippi Delta to Minneapolis. As spoken by Curt Bradley (Mr. B) himself, “This ain’t just another sauce.” You may recognize him from his BBQ Stand at Minnesota Wild hockey games where he enjoys a legendary reputuation with the team as well as the fans. The Legendary Mr. B’s BBQ Sauce is the right kinda slather for what’s on the grill, what’s on the bun, or what you are dipping or mixing. Mr. B’s Chili Sauce is the perfect and easy starter base for any style chili. Amp up your food game because Mr. B's is the bees knees.

Bring a little Mr. B's to your next potluck with Curt's Legendary Baked Beans.

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Muddle and Mint

Muddle and Mint

Hally Turner
Saint Paul

At Muddle and Mint, we craft sophisticated alcohol free drinks that invite you to slow down, sip, and savor. Our drinks use familiar ingredients and elevated flavor combinations to offer an uncompromising choice for any drinking occasion.

Hally was inspired to start this company when she developed an alcohol sensitivity. Wanting more and better options, Hally created a line of full flavored, non-carbonated alcohol free cocktails. Though we make beverages, we are helping create a world where everyone belongs.

Enjoy Muddle and Mint on its own with a splash of sparkling water, or mixed with your favorite spirit!

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