Chef Laura Bonicelli visits Riverside Farms near Elk River, Minnesota, for a conversation with farmer Dave Nathe about the land, the crops, the family, and the work behind the produce that reaches the Minneapolis Farmers Market.

Dave shares how he got started in farming, what Riverside Farms grows, and how the business developed across three farms. He talks about the knowledge farmers pass from one generation—and one farmer—to another, the people who keep Riverside running, rising costs and changes in agriculture, and what he sees ahead for farming.

Dave’s daughter Ashley Nathe joins the conversation to talk about growing up in a farmers market family and her work with the Minneapolis Farmers Market. You’ll also hear a short farmers-market story from farmer Chris Utecht that says a lot about Dave’s knowledge of sweet corn.

Chapters

0:00 Welcome to Riverside Farms

0:49 Dave’s Farming Roots

7:00 What Riverside Farms Grows

15:47 Farmers Teaching Farmers

17:22 A Farmers Market Family Story

20:56 The People Who Keep Riverside Running

25:16 How Riverside Became Three Farms

31:57 Ashley Nathe: Farm Roots and the Farmers Market

37:01 How Farming Has Changed

40:29 The Future of Farming

43:13 Buy Local: What Consumers Should Know

50:27 What Happens to Riverside Farms Next?

Midwest Meets Mediterranean explores food, cooking, farmers, producers, seasonal ingredients, and the connections between Midwestern food culture and Mediterranean cooking.

Pasta is much more than comfort food—it's a tradition rooted in history, family, and the Mediterranean way of life.

In this solo episode of Midwest Meets Mediterranean, Chef Laura Bonicelli explores the origins of pasta, the differences between fresh and dried pasta, and the simple techniques that can dramatically improve the way you cook at home. Along the way, she shares family stories, practical cooking tips, and the timeless principles that make pasta one of the world's most beloved foods.

Whether you're making a quick weeknight dinner or preparing a special meal from scratch, this episode will help you cook pasta with greater confidence—and more joy.

• The history and evolution of pasta
• Fresh vs. dried pasta
• Why pasta fits into a healthy Mediterranean lifestyle
• Proper cooking techniques
• Common pasta mistakes to avoid
• Why pasta water is "liquid gold"
• Authentic Italian finishing techniques
• Practical tips every home cook can use

00:00 Intro

00:57 Music Intro

01:16 The Origin of Pasta

03:00 Chef Laura's Grandparents

04:04 Pasta Variety

06:24 Midwest Adaptations

07:00 Mac & Cheese

08:05 Why Is Pasta a Staple?

09:01 Fresh vs. Dried

11:43 Pasta Has a Place

12:50 Midroll

13:08 Is Pasta Unhealthy?

14:30 Healthy Ideas

15:59 Portions

17:00 Cooking Pasta Properly

19:03 Holding Pasta Technique

20:49 Rinsing Pasta

21:36 Pasta Water Is Liquid Gold

22:54 Sauce First

24:04 Cooking Like an Italian

25:56 Ingredients

26:38 Other Tips

27:25 Finishing

28:09 Pasta in the Mindful Mediterranean

29:12 A Simple Way

29:22 Pasta Mistakes (Confession)

30:56 Why Pasta Classes

32:13 Wrap-Up

32:32 Outro

Bonicelli Cooking Club

https://bonicellicookingclub.com/

EverSharp is more than a kitchen store. It's a place where craftsmanship, expertise, and community come together around one of the most important tools in any kitchen—a good knife.

In this episode of Midwest Meets Mediterranean, Chef Laura Bonicelli sits down with Maddie of EverSharp to explore the story behind one of the Midwest's most respected kitchen retailers. Together, they discuss how the business has evolved from a knife-sharpening service into a destination for cooks seeking quality knives, cookware, and expert advice.

Laura has worked with EverSharp since the store opened in 2007, making this conversation both personal and practical. Whether you're investing in your first chef's knife, caring for tools you already own, or simply curious about what makes a truly great kitchen store, this episode offers practical insights that will help you become a more confident and informed home cook.

• How EverSharp grew from a knife-sharpening business into one of the country's premier kitchen stores
• Why knowledgeable retailers still play an important role in today's shopping experience
• What makes Wüsthof knives a favorite among professional chefs and serious home cooks
• Maddie's personal recommendations for building a great knife collection
• The biggest mistakes people make when caring for their kitchen knives
• Why repairing a quality knife is often better than replacing it
• How tariffs and global shipping continue to impact the cookware industry
• What makes EverSharp's customer service and product knowledge unique
• What to expect at EverSharp's popular annual Tent Sale

00:00 – Intro

00:19 – Welcome to Maddie

01:04 – The Story Behind EverSharp

05:00 – How the Business Evolved

09:08 – Roles at EverSharp

10:57 – Vendor Tours

13:52 – Why Deep Product Knowledge Matters

14:25 – The Largest Selection of Wüsthof in America

15:48 – Maddie's Favorite Knives

18:27 – Wüsthof Service Center

22:14 – Mistakes Home Cooks Make

23:27 – Repairing Knives

25:41 – Kitchen Gadgets Worth Owning

28:52 – Staying Competitive in Today's Retail Environment

30:43 – Tariffs and Shipping Challenges

34:40 – Beyond Knife Sharpening

37:14 – The EverSharp Tent Sale

39:48 – What's Next for EverSharp

41:44 – What Is a Dull Knife?

45:04 – Finding EverSharp

Maddie has been part of EverSharp since the store opened in 2007, joining the business full-time after graduating from college. Her favorite part of the job is helping customers find the right kitchen tools for the way they cook—and, of course, testing new products before they reach the shelves. Her extensive knowledge of knives, cookware, and kitchen equipment has made her a trusted resource for home cooks and culinary professionals alike.

Bonicelli Cooking Club

https://bonicellicookingclub.com

EverSharp Kitchen Store

https://www.eversharpknives.com

Follow EverSharp on social media for knife care tips, special events, new products, and information about the annual Tent Sale.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Midwest Meets Mediterranean, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves cooking, quality kitchen tools, and discovering the stories behind the people who help us become better cooks.

Every episode explores the people, traditions, and craftsmanship that connect food, culture, and community.