Missoula’s Tandem Bakery Talks About Working With Guy Fieri

Montana has gotten used to TV shows being filmed here, it almost seems like we have gotten used to seeing some famous faces around. There was one famous face that came through the area last summer that got a lot of people excited. Guy Fieri from the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" filmed an episode in Missoula.

There's a big difference between his show and the others, Guy Fieri's show highlights local eateries that don't normally get the amount of attention that he can bring. There has been talk about what eateries are going to be featured on the Missoula episode. We know for sure one of them that will be on the show. That's the Tandem Bakery and Cafe. I spoke with Beth Gherlein, co-owner of Tandem about her experience with being on the show. For them it was a very positive experience.

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The bakery was contacted about being featured on the show. There is a process about being on the show which includes research about the business and an in-depth interview, ultimately the decision is left to Fieri and his team. All of that is kept quiet. But once Fieri rolls into town, you can't keep it quiet any longer. I spoke with Gherlein about what it was like to work with Fieri, she said:

Amazing. Honestly, the whole process was. I think this sounds kind of corny, but it was just so great. Every single person we interacted with from the show was just, really supportive. I think they're used to working with people aren't TV people. So they do a lot to make sure that you're set up for success.

The producer gives the business information on what to do to prep for the show before the crews show up. When all that is done, the crew shows up and turns the restaurant into a TV set. Then it is show time. Gherlein continues:

Guy shows up and you have to be on camera with this famous person who you've literally just met. So it's definitely a little bit intimidating, but also really fun and exciting, and he was really enthusiastic and kind and it was just so positive.

Tandem Bakery and Cafe is all vegan and gluten free. They started 12 years ago at the Clark Fork Market as a vendor. Over the years they have expanded to add in a wholesale business selling bread in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. They were also able to expand to their current location, in the old Freddy's Feed and Read, at 1221 Helen Avenue. They have a hot food menu serving breakfast and lunch with a full coffee bar, and they continue to be totally vegan.

The Missoula episode of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" will debut on the Food Network on Friday November, 1st. Good luck to all the Missoula establishments that will be featured on the upcoming show and thanks to Guy Fieri for shining a spotlight on some great businesses in our community.