Sarah Masoni, the OSU Food Innovation Center director, famously dubbed the "woman with the million-dollar palate" by the New York Times, and Sarah Marshall, the farm-to-table visionary behind Marshall’s Haute Sauce. Each week, this powerhouse duo sits down with startup founders to explore the grit, innovation, and passion required to turn a kitchen-table dream into reality. Join them as they talk with Chef Carla Briggs of Viola's Heritage Breads.

In this episode of The Meaningful Marketplace, we pull up a chair with Carla Briggs, the founder and culinary force behind Viola’s Heritage Breads. Named in honor of her mentor, Carla’s work is a powerful celebration of ancestral recipes, community foodways, and her rich history.

Carla shares her inspiring journey from home kitchen traditions to building a thriving, mission-driven food brand. We dive deep into what it takes to scale heritage products while keeping integrity at the core and how honoring our roots creates a stronger, more resilient local food economy. Whether you're an aspiring food entrepreneur, a supporter of local makers, or someone who believes in the power of food stories, this conversation is packed with heart, wisdom, and actionable inspiration.

• Viola’s Heritage Breads: Check out their products, catering, and upcoming events at violasheritagebreads.com (or follow on Instagram @violasheritagebreads).
• The Meaningful Marketplace: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Leave us a review to help more people discover local food stories!

Thank you for listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast.

Call our hotline with questions for Sarah and Sarah at 503-395-8858. If you want to support our show, write us a review, share episodes with friends, or subscribe to our Patreon.

Producer: Sarah Marshall of The Joy of Creation Production House
Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers

Restorative Food Practices & Community Healing with Chef Nephi Craig and Danita Macy

Welcome to the Meaningful Marketplace, the podcast that goes behind the scenes to tell the stories of food entrepreneurs. Join hosts Sarah Masoni, the OSU Food Innovation Center director, famously dubbed the "woman with the million-dollar palate" by the New York Times, and Sarah Marshall, the farm-to-table visionary behind Marshall’s Haute Sauce. Each week, this powerhouse duo sits down with startup founders to explore the grit, innovation, and passion required to turn a kitchen-table dream into reality. Join them as we talk with Nephi Craig of Cafe Gozhoo.

In this inspiring episode of The Meaningful Marketplace, we dive deep into the power of food as a vehicle for community wellness, cultural preservation, and ancestral healing. Joined by co-host Danita Macy, we welcome visionary White Mountain Apache chef, author, and advocate Chef Nephi Craig—founder of the Native American Culinary Association (NACA) and Executive Chef at Café Gozhóó.

Joined by co-host Danita Macy we explore how place-based Indigenous foodways serve as a bridge between agriculture, nutritional recovery, and generational restoration. Chef Nephi shares his journey in pioneering Restorative Indigenous Food Practices, building community culinary spaces, and using local food sovereignty to nurture both land and people.

Connect & Resources Mentioned:

• Native American Culinary Association (NACA): Learn more about Indigenous food systems and culinary education.
• Café Gozhóó & Rainbow Treatment Center: Discover Chef Nephi's work in Whiteriver, Arizona.
• Buy Nephi's Book: Our Knives Will Save Us

Thank you for listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast.

Call our hotline with questions for Sarah and Sarah at 503-395-8858. If you want to support our show, write us a review, share episodes with friends, or subscribe to our Patreon.

Producer: Sarah Marshall of The Joy of Creation Production House
Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers

Welcome to the Meaningful Marketplace, the podcast that goes behind the scenes to tell the stories of female food entrepreneurs. Join hosts Sarah Masoni, the OSU Food Innovation Center director, famously dubbed the "woman with the million-dollar palate" by the New York Times, and Sarah Marshall, the farm-to-table visionary behind Marshall’s Haute Sauce. Each week, this powerhouse duo sits down with startup founders to explore the grit, innovation, and passion required to turn a kitchen-table dream into reality. Join them as they talk with Heather Keisler Fornes of Portland Fruit Tree Project.

In this episode of The Meaningful Marketplace, we sit down with Heather Keisler Fornes, Executive Director of the Portland Fruit Tree Project, to explore how urban foraging, community harvesting, and local agriculture can transform food equity. Heather shares the inspiration behind harvesting untended urban fruit trees, reducing local food waste, and building resilient neighborhood food networks across Portland.

Portland Fruit Tree Project

Portland Fruit Tree Project Instagram

Harvester Equity & Urban Bounty: How the Portland Fruit Tree Project connects fruit tree owners with community harvesters to combat local food insecurity.

Beyond the Trees: Community orchards, youth workforce internships, and urban canopy preservation efforts.

Sustainable Food Systems: Practical advice for food producers and community members looking to turn local surpluses into impactful resources.

This episode is brought to you by the Food Innovation Center at Oregon State University, supporting agricultural innovation, product development, and food entrepreneurs across the Pacific Northwest.

Thank you for listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast.

Call our hotline with questions for Sarah and Sarah at 503-395-8858. If you want to support our show, write us a review, share episodes with friends, or subscribe to our Patreon.

Producer: Sarah Marshall of The Joy of Creation Production House
Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers

Welcome to the Meaningful Marketplace, the podcast that goes behind the scenes to tell the stories of female food entrepreneurs. Join hosts Sarah Masoni, the OSU Food Innovation Center director, famously dubbed the "woman with the million-dollar palate" by the New York Times, and Sarah Marshall, the farm-to-table visionary behind Marshall’s Haute Sauce. Each week, this powerhouse duo sits down with startup founders to explore the grit, innovation, and passion required to turn a kitchen-table dream into reality. Join them as they talk with Bonnie Morales of Kachka Restaurant in Portland, Oregon.

In this episode of The Meaningful Marketplace, we pull up a chair with Bonnie Morales, the visionary chef and co-owner behind Portland’s acclaimed Eastern European restaurant, Kachka.

Bonnie breaks down what it truly takes to build a culturally rich food business that honors heritage while continually innovating in a shifting economic landscape. We dive deep into her journey of reimagining post-Soviet cuisine for an American audience, navigating the realities of restaurant ownership, prioritizing equitable workplace culture, and expanding her brand beyond the restaurant walls into retail and consumer packaged goods.

Whether you are a food entrepreneur, a passionate home cook, or someone who loves the stories behind local food ecosystems, this conversation is packed with wisdom on staying true to your roots while building a sustainable, community-first business.

About Our Guest

Bonnie Morales is the chef and co-owner of Kachka in Portland, Oregon. Since opening in 2014, Kachka has earned national acclaim from The New York Times, Bon Appétit, GQ, and the James Beard Foundation for its vibrant, soulful celebration of Eastern European and post-Soviet cuisine. Bonnie is also the author of Kachka: A Return to Russian Cooking and a passionate advocate for food justice and equitable hospitality.

Website: https://www.kachkapdx.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kachkapdx/

This episode of The Meaningful Marketplace is proudly sponsored by Prosper Portland.

Prosper Portland is the city’s economic and urban development agency, committed to growing an equitable economy by supporting local entrepreneurs, small businesses, and community-led marketplace initiatives across Portland. Learn more about their programs, grants, and business resources at prosperportland.us.

Resources & Links Mentioned

Kachka Restaurant & Lavka: https://www.kachkapdx.com/

Kachka Cookbook: Kachka: A Return to Russian Cooking

Prosper Portland Business Resources: prosperportland.us

The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast: meaningfulmarketplace.com

Enjoying the show? Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!

Thank you for listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast.

Call our hotline with questions for Sarah and Sarah at 503-395-8858. If you want to support our show, write us a review, share episodes with friends, or subscribe to our Patreon.

Producer: Sarah Marshall of The Joy of Creation Production House
Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers

Welcome to the Meaningful Marketplace, the podcast that goes behind the scenes to tell the stories of female food entrepreneurs. Join hosts Sarah Masoni, the OSU Food Innovation Center director, famously dubbed the "woman with the million-dollar palate" by the New York Times, and Sarah Marshall, the farm-to-table visionary behind Marshall’s Haute Sauce. Each week, this powerhouse duo sits down with startup founders to explore the grit, innovation, and passion required to turn a kitchen-table dream into reality. Join them as they talk with Laila Ghambari of Guilder Coffee in Portland, Oregon.

In this episode, we are joined by the absolute powerhouse of specialty coffee, Laila Ghambari, the co-owner of Portland’s beloved Guilder Coffee Company and a nationally recognized coffee business consultant.

Laila’s journey in coffee spans more than two decades. Raised in a family of hospitality entrepreneurs, she fell in love with the craft of coffee in her father's Seattle café. After climbing the ranks to win the highly coveted title of U.S. Barista Champion in 2014, Laila spent years guiding multi-unit retail operations and executive-level channels for major national roasters, including leading education and cafes at Stumptown.

In 2024, Laila took the next major leap: purchasing the Portland-based Guilder Cafe and Junior's Roasted Coffee.

Tune in to hear Laila share the practical realities of café ownership, the strategic dance of merging two distinct local brands under the unified Guilder Coffee Company banner, and how she models leading with confidence, empathy, and grace while balancing motherhood and mentorship.

This episode of The Meaningful Marketplace is proudly sponsored by Prosper Portland.

Prosper Portland is committed to building an equitable economy by supporting local small businesses, startups, and creative entrepreneurs. Through their diverse array of financial programs, technical assistance, and community partnerships, they provide the essential resources that help Portland’s food and beverage makers grow from early-stage concepts into thriving, regional brands. Prosper Portland believes that when we invest in our local creators—especially our women-owned, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ founders—we strengthen the entire fabric of our community.

To learn more about how they can support your business journey, visit ProsperPortland.us.

Shop Guilder Coffee Company: GuilderCoffee.com

Follow Guilder on Instagram: @guildercoffee

Learn More About Our Sponsor: Prosper Portland

OSU Food Innovation Center: fic.oregonstate.edu

Thank you for listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast.

Call our hotline with questions for Sarah and Sarah at 503-395-8858. If you want to support our show, write us a review, share episodes with friends, or subscribe to our Patreon.

Producer: Sarah Marshall of The Joy of Creation Production House
Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers

Welcome to the Meaningful Marketplace, the podcast that goes behind the scenes to tell the stories of female food entrepreneurs. Join hosts Sarah Masoni, the OSU Food Innovation Center director, famously dubbed the "woman with the million-dollar palate" by the New York Times, and Sarah Marshall, the farm-to-table visionary behind Marshall’s Haute Sauce. Each week, this powerhouse duo sits down with startup founders to explore the grit, innovation, and passion required to turn a kitchen-table dream into reality. Join them as they talk with Michelle Cairo of Olympia Provisions in Portland, Oregon.

In this episode, we sit down with Michelle Cairo, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Olympia Provisions, Oregon’s very first USDA-certified salumeria. What started in 2009 in a modest kitchen in Southeast Portland has grown into a nationally recognized, award-winning powerhouse of dry-cured meats, charcuterie, and beloved neighborhood restaurants.

Michelle took a massive leap from the world of corporate finance to partner with her brother, Elias Cairo, a master charcutier who spent years training in the Swiss Alps. Together, they set out to do something many said was impossible: bring old-world, slow-cured European traditions to the Pacific Northwest under strict USDA regulations.

Tune in to hear Michelle share the grit, heart, and financial choreography required to scale a gourmet food brand nationally while remaining fiercely dedicated to sustainable sourcing, local partnerships, and the Portland community.

This episode of The Meaningful Marketplace is proudly sponsored by Prosper Portland.

Prosper Portland is committed to building an equitable economy by supporting local small businesses, startups, and creative entrepreneurs. Through their diverse array of financial programs, technical assistance, and community partnerships, they provide the essential resources that help Portland’s food and beverage makers grow from early-stage concepts into thriving, regional brands. Prosper Portland believes that when we invest in our local creators—especially our women-owned, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ founders—we strengthen the entire fabric of our community.

To learn more about how they can support your business journey, visit ProsperPortland.us.

Shop Olympia Provisions: OlympiaProvisions.com

Follow Olympia Provisions on Instagram: @olympiaprovisions

Learn More About Our Sponsor: Prosper Portland

OSU Food Innovation Center: fic.oregonstate.edu

Thank you for listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast.

Call our hotline with questions for Sarah and Sarah at 503-395-8858. If you want to support our show, write us a review, share episodes with friends, or subscribe to our Patreon.

Producer: Sarah Marshall of The Joy of Creation Production House
Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers

Welcome to the Meaningful Marketplace, the podcast that goes behind the scenes to tell the stories of female food entrepreneurs. Join hosts Sarah Masoni, the OSU Food Innovation Center director, famously dubbed the "woman with the million-dollar palate" by the New York Times, and Sarah Marshall, the farm-to-table visionary behind Marshall’s Haute Sauce. Each week, this powerhouse duo sits down with startup founders to explore the grit, innovation, and passion required to turn a kitchen-table dream into reality. Join them as they talk with Adriana and Wendy of Three Sisters Nixtamal in Portland, Oregon.

In this episode, we sit down with Adriana Azcárate-Ferbel and Wendy Downing, the incredible co-owners and founders of Three Sisters Nixtamal in Portland, Oregon. What began as a personal quest to find real, traditional corn tortillas in the Pacific Northwest has grown into a beloved regional cornerstone of certified organic, stone-ground masa and fresh tortillas.

Adriana, a native of Mexico City and a practicing naturopathic doctor, teamed up with Wendy, a trained chef with roots in San Francisco's legendary Zuni Cafe, to build a business honoring ancient food traditions. By utilizing the ancestral process of nixtamalization—cooking dry organic corn in water and slaked lime (cal)—they produce nutrient-dense, preservative-free corn products that have completely transformed the local food scene.

Tune in to hear how Adriana and Wendy navigated the shift from home cooks to operating Southeast Portland’s primary community molino, supplying favorite local grocers like New Seasons Market and co-ops across the Northwest.

This episode of The Meaningful Marketplace is proudly sponsored by Prosper Portland.

Prosper Portland is committed to building an equitable economy by supporting local small businesses, startups, and creative entrepreneurs. Through their diverse array of financial programs, technical assistance, and community partnerships, they provide the essential resources that help Portland’s food and beverage makers grow from early-stage concepts into thriving, regional brands. Prosper Portland believes that when we invest in our local creators—especially our women-owned, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ founders—we strengthen the entire fabric of our community.

To learn more about how they can support your business journey, visit ProsperPortland.us.

Shop Three Sisters Nixtamal: ThreeSistersPDX.com

Follow Three Sisters on Instagram: @threesistersnixtamal

Learn More About Our Sponsor: Prosper Portland

Thank you for listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast.

Call our hotline with questions for Sarah and Sarah at 503-395-8858. If you want to support our show, write us a review, share episodes with friends, or subscribe to our Patreon.

Producer: Sarah Marshall of The Joy of Creation Production House
Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers