Charisse McGill
Founder, Lokal Artisan Foods & French Toast Bites
Philadelphia, PA
“Local businesses are teaming up for a greater good; introducing each other’s products into other markets, and helping fellow local brands grow, all because the people in our community are doing something cool--that’s what it’s all about.”
Breakfast for dinner? Yes please!
Charisse McGill, owner of Lokal Artisan Foods, is best known for her warm, cinnamon-y french toast bites that have become a staple at open-air markets across the Philadelphia area.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Charisse moved to Philly to study Hospitality at Temple University, and is an exam away from earning her MBA in Food Marketing at Saint Joseph’s University, while teaching classes at Montgomery County Community College on becoming a food vendor.
--Food Marketing and education are kind of her thing.--
Charisse began her career as the longtime manager of the Landsdale Farmer’s Market, where her entrepreneurial daughter started selling lemonade made from the fruits and flavors of the local farmers at the market.
Now that Landsdale was drinking Lokal, the mother/daughter duo tested out a new recipe to help visitors snack Lokal.
In 2018, the French Toast Bites made their debut at the Christmas Village, and have been a hot commodity ever since. Warm, crispy, bite-sized treats made with locally sourced bread from Horsham, these Bites are covered in an abundance of french toast seasoning and can be topped with any of your favorites, including fruit, whipped cream, and Charisse’s famous bacon on a stick.
Charisse was overwhelmed with the success of French Toast Bites’ and lemonade that she quit her full-time job to focus on the sweet treats that her customers crave, and pivoted to offering them at night, when we're feeling the munchies the most.
Before COVID, Charisse became a ground-breaking vendor at Cherry Street Pier, Spruce Street Harbor Park, Made in America, The Piazza, and too many grocery and delivery vendors to list.
But without open air markets, how can we get our hands on French Toast Bites and Bacon? Charisse took her bubbly personality and let it guide her to some powerful pandemic-born partnerships to bring us french toast everywhere.
With this in mind, Lokal Artisan Foods now offers The Only French Toast Seasoning You’ll Ever Need, and even teamed up with Yards Brewery for a French Toast Bites beer.
“Local businesses are teaming up for a greater good; introducing each other’s products into other markets, and helping fellow local brands grow, all because the people in our community are doing something cool--that’s what it’s all about.”
We're pretty flattered Charisse deemed us cool enough to reach out about teaming up; cinnamon french toast and a smooth cup of coffee sounds like a match made in heaven.
Stay tuned for our sweet collab with Charisse and French Toast Bites.