Ep. 60 - The Cherry On Top of the Budget

What does it take to cement a region as a premier culinary destination? This week, Justin and Emily sit down for an exclusive interview exploring the upcoming Traverse City Food & Wine Festival, unpacking the community partnerships and creative culinary forces driving northern Michigan's booming tourism scene.



Plus, a marathon overnight session in Lansing results in a massive $75.2 billion state budget—we’re breaking down what a split Legislature's eleventh-hour deal means for local operators. We also dive into new data on how shifting American social habits are fast-tracking emerging trends in dining and look at the unexpected sporting event fueling late-night traffic surges for local bars.

Bid on Michigan Hospitality Foundation auction here: https://www.mihf.org/summerauction.html

Find out more about the Traverse City Food & Wine Festival here: https://www.traversecity.com/food-wine/