{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Big Orange Business","title":"120 - Italy in Maryville? The Story Behind East Tennessee's Most Authentic Italian Marketplace","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2858,"description":"What happens when a third-generation Italian can't find an authentic Italian market in East Tennessee?\nShe builds one.\nIn this episode of the Big Orange Business Podcast, Haley Jones sits down with Kim Fontinell, founder and chef of The Italian Apron Marketplace in Maryville, Tennessee, to discuss family recipes, handmade pasta, entrepreneurship, farmers markets, catering, and creating a true Italian food experience in East Tennessee.\nKim shares the surprising truth about Italian food, how she turned a food truck into a thriving marketplace, why authenticity matters, and what it takes to build a successful small business while staying true to your roots.\nWhether you're a Knoxville local, a Maryville resident, a food lover, or someone considering a move to East Tennessee, this episode offers a fascinating look at one of the region's most unique businesses.\nIn this episode:\n• The biggest myths about Italian food\n• Why spaghetti and meatballs isn't traditionally Italian\n• Fresh pasta vs. store-bought pasta\n• Building a business from a food truck\n• Farmers markets and local entrepreneurship\n• The Italian Apron Marketplace story\n• Pasta classes, catering, and community building\n• Why East Tennessee embraced authentic Italian food\nLearn more about The Italian Apron:\nhttps://theitalianapron.com\nConnect with Haley Jones:\nhttps://haleyjoneshomes.com\nThe Big Orange Business Podcast highlights the people, businesses, and stories that make Knoxville and East Tennessee such a special place to live, work, and visit.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/rg9q_M1AhIVf91bSSWb9XlJMJxNsoqEQAgZNLQ0crQQ/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzQwMTM3LzE3MDY2/NDQ4NTktYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}