Heart Mountain Mediterranean brings authentic flavors to Lovell Farmers Market

The Lovell Farmers Market continues to grow in popularity, and one of the newest vendors, Heart Mountain Mediterranean, has quickly become a favorite. Run by husband and wife duo Dali and Rachel Khemiri, this Powell based business offers a delightful blend of Mediterranean flavors and sweet treats, bringing something unique to the local market scene.

Dali, originally from Tunisia, and Rachel, from Olympia, Washington, met in the most fitting of places -- a farmers market in Washington. Both shared a deep passion for food, cooking and travel, and eventually decided to bring their love of Mediterranean cuisine to Wyoming.

“We both love to cook,  eat and travel,” Rachel said.

Their journey to Lovell’s market was a natural extension of their work in Cody and Powell, and they were eager to expand into new communities.

“For the last few years, we’ve been doing markets in Cody and Powell. We heard great things about the Lovell market and wanted to expand to share our food with more people in the area,” Rachel said.

Heart Mountain Mediterranean’s offerings are a true mix of both savory and sweet, reflecting the couple’s culinary backgrounds. Dali, known as the “hummus guy,” brings a variety of homemade Mediterranean delights to the market, including freshly made hummus in nearly 10 flavors, pita bread, pita chips and harissa chili paste. Rachel’s focus is on the sweeter side, where she showcases a beautiful array of French inspired desserts, including gelato, macarons, tarts, cannoli, cupcakes and more.

“Dali is the hummus guy. He makes fresh, homemade hummus, pita bread, pita chips and harissa chili paste,” Rachel said. “I handle the sweet side, including gelato, macarons, tarts, cannoli, cupcakes and more. Everything is made from scratch in our kitchen in Powell.” 

The idea for their business stems from Dali’s Mediterranean heritage and Rachel’s love for baking, particularly French desserts. Together, they’ve created a menu that offers something for everyone, blending both traditional Mediterranean and European inspired sweets.

“Dali borrowed inspiration from his Mediterranean heritage, as well as a passion for healthy eating. I’ve always loved to bake and spent time in France, so we met halfway and did a little bit of both,” she said. 

Dali and Rachel weren’t sure how well Mediterranean cuisine would be received in a rural Wyoming town like Lovell, but they’ve been pleasantly surprised by the response.

“The whole Big Horn Basin has been incredibly welcoming. We weren’t sure how many people would be interested in Mediterranean food, but the response has been incredible,” Rachel said. “Either people are thrilled to have access to a cuisine they love, or they’re willing to try it.  

“The Friday market in Lovell is an awesome community of talented people, farmers, bakers, crafters, canners and artists. ... And customers are always excited to see new vendors and to support local businesses,” Rachel said.

In addition to their regular presence at farmers markets in Lovell, Cody and Powell, Heart Mountain Mediterranean also offers special orders and catering services. Their ability to cater events has helped them expand their reach beyond the markets and into more personalized experiences for their customers.

“We also do special orders, and we’ve done several catering events,” Dali said.

As their business continues to grow, Dali and Rachel remain committed to the community that has embraced them and their Mediterranean offerings. They are grateful for the support they’ve received and look forward to continuing to bring fresh, homemade Mediterranean food to Lovell and beyond.

“Thank you so much for welcoming us and supporting our business. We love what we do, and it isn’t possible without our wonderful customers,” she said.