CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — “Boring as plain white bread” is a phrase on which James Thelin and his wife Karen have built a business! They first crafted their locally celebrated sourdough bread in the fall of 2022. Using their knowledge of what makes a good sourdough starter, his newly gained culinary experience and a “gut instinct” for the need of a healthier bread alternative, Mega Loaf Sourdough was baked into fruition.
Promotional image courtesy of Mega Loaf Sourdough, St. George News / Cedar City News
The Thelin bunch is a big family with seven busy kids, so it made sense to use a larger hotel pan to shape their loaves. Also, they understood how the bread size needed to be fit for making sandwiches and popping into toasters. This ingenuity is one of the many perks of their award-winning bread.
Made using simple ingredients and live active cultures, their sourdough is easy to digest and tends to not cause stomach issues even for consumers with gluten sensitivities. Plus, the tangy flavor and health benefits of their unique proprietary recipe keep regulars coming back for more.
“When it was selling out really quick and our customers started becoming return customers, we knew we had something good,” Thelin said.
Thelin had always loved to cook and felt skilled in the kitchen, which led him to attend the culinary program at Southwest Technical College in Cedar City. It was an entirely positive experience for him where he learned a ton.
“It was adventurous to be in a commercial kitchen and learn the ins and outs of it all,” he said.
It was in school where he met the man whose vision led to opening a storefront. The culinary program he attended was entirely created and run by executive chef Drew Nehrenz. Thelin said a business partnership was a “no-brainer” for the duo, who already knew they worked well in a kitchen together.
Click to enlarge | Promotional image courtesy of Mega Loaf Sourdough, St. George News / Cedar City News
Recently, they opened Fyre Wings in partnership with Mega Loaf Sourdough and under the culinary direction of Nehrenz. They have also had a bright yellow food truck selling out at farmers markets and events all over town since last summer.
Nehrenz has quite a resume as well, having attended Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Portland. This specific concept has held a special place in his heart ever since traveling around Southeast Asia early in his career.
The Fyre Wings menu showcases sauces inspired by exotic flavor combos and made with traditional spices and herbs. Diners are falling in love with a taste bud sensation that can only described as “umami.”
“I joke that we’re multiplying the loaves and fishes … we’re on an honest mission to nourish our community,” Nehrenz said.
They offer much more than chicken wings, however! Fried rice, spring rolls, slow-cooked soy pulled pork and “nuggies” are a few menu items. Using only high-quality ingredients and delicious flavors, complemented by Mega Loaf’s artisanal sourdough, this joint is quickly gaining a favorable reputation as a restaurant and as a culinary experience.
Energetic, dynamic and diligent are a few words to describe this fast-casual eatery. And the excitement will continue on with plans for collaborations with local food suppliers, the possibility of multiple locations and more food trucks in their future.
Join Thelin, Nehrenz and their entire crew for the grand opening of Fyre Wings on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Stop by between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to get a taste of Cedar City’s hottest new restaurant – and grab a Mega Loaf while you’re there!
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Mega Loaf Sourdough & Fyre Wings | Address: 1075 W. 200 North, Suite 3, Cedar City | Telephone: 435-238-6667 | Website.
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