Community & Competition: Rapid Growth, Rising Tensions, & Food Identity

In the last year, Boise was featured in two vastly different pieces of food news. First Chef Kris Komori of KIN brought home the first Boise James Beard Award. This same year, In N Out opened its first of four locations in the Boise area. 

In this episode, Katy discusses the rapidly changing restaurant industry in Boise, Idaho, recorded live at the Treefort Music Fest in March 2024. Katy and a panel of expert guests explore how the city's food identity has evolved with an influx of new residents and rising tensions over real estate and cultural shifts. The panel included local restaurateurs and industry advocates, who share their insights on the current state of Boise’s food scene, the workforce challenges, and the potential implications of Boise’s rapid growth. The episode also addresses the difficult questions raised by a local restaurateur about fostering true community and supporting independent restaurants amidst increasing competition from larger hospitality groups and real estate investors.

Guests:

Remi McManus from KIN Restaurant

Katie Baker from FARE Idaho

Dr. Amanda Ashley from Boise State University

Reno Rodriguez from the Hotel Renegade/Geronimo Hospitality Group

Audience question from Cal Elliot of Little Pearl and The Avery