The Co-op believes in “Building Community Through Food” and actively supports local food and producers. This month, we’re excited to introduce you to Melinda Vue, the culinary force behind One Love sourdough bread and Dog Dig Khao Piak rice noodles.
Melinda, a Hmong American, began her culinary journey when she and her family opened the Pickled Gill restaurant in Ladysmith, WI, in 2020. The restaurant featured a fusion of American and Asian cuisine. It was here that Melinda introduced Khao Piak (“ka pia”) soup, a Laotian chicken noodle soup made with a rich chicken broth and gluten-free rice noodles. The soup quickly became a favorite among patrons, leading Melinda to launch her own line of noodles under the brand name Dog Dig, which is Hmong and translates to “simplicity” in English. “I’m just a simple person who likes to make simple things happen,” Melinda explains, capturing the essence of her brand name.
In late 2022, Melinda sold her restaurant and relocated her noodle production to a new facility in Deer Park, WI, just northeast of New Richmond. There, Dog Dig was officially established, producing Khao Piak noodles, crab rangoons, pork egg rolls, and indulgent deep-fried cheesecake.
In October 2023, Melinda met Cal Kalmon, the founder of One Love Bread. Cal’s family had been baking sourdough bread since 2010, initially selling it at farmers’ markets and later supplying retail stores from their old milkhouse near Withee, WI. When the Kalmons closed their business in July 2022, it left a void in the hearts of their loyal customers. Inspired by Cal’s mastery of sourdough baking, Melinda knew her next culinary adventure was set. She acquired the business and spent six months mastering sourdough production under Cal’s guidance. This past May 2024, One Love Bread was reborn in Deer Park, now available at retail locations, including the Hudson Grocery Co-op. Melinda is proud to continue the tradition of handcrafted sourdough bread made with high-quality ingredients, honoring the simplicity of traditional baking. “Food is a bridge that connects cultures and communities,” she says. “It’s rewarding to see my creations bring joy to so many.”
One Love Bread has been a hit on our shelves for several months, and we recently started carrying Melinda’s Khao Piak noodles. These fresh, gluten-free noodles are in the refrigerated section near our sauerkraut. They are a delicious substitute for wheat-based noodles in soups and are essential for Khao Piak Sen soup. Here’s a link to a recipe for this delightful Asian soup. We have all the ingredients you need to make it right here at the Co-op.
Melinda and her family want to express their heartfelt gratitude to their loyal customers for their unwavering support and trust. This support fuels their passion, motivating them to rise early and stay late, ensuring every loaf of bread and every package of noodles meets their high standards. We invite you to visit the Co-op and taste that dedication and passion in every bite of their delicious bread and noodles.
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