FoodCrush
196 episodes - English - Latest episode: 12 months ago - ★★★★★ - 26 ratingsGet hungry. On the FoodCrush podcast, OnMilwaukee Dining Editor Lori Fredrich and Culture Editor Matt Mueller tackle the ins and outs of dining, food facts, interesting ingredients and myriad topics related to food and beverage. Expect smart talk, lively debate and plenty of fascinating conversations with some of the scene’s most interesting people.
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Episodes
Wisconsin’s Miijim to contribute to Indigenous food renaissance
May 07, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 52.2 MBAround the country, restaurants led by Native chefs are reimagining what “American” food means. In doing so, they are also reclaiming an important culinary culture that has been long buried and inaccessible, even to Native people. In the Midwest, that includes folks like Sean Sherman, founder of The Sioux Chef, Owamni and the Indigenous Food Lab in Minneapolis. But it also includes up-and-comers like Bryce Stevenson, a native of Red Cliff, Wisconsin who also happens to have deep ties to Milw...
14 seats: The making of 1033
April 30, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 56.2 MBWhat goes into building a restaurant? This week we’re sitting down with hospitality veteran Rob Levin, co-owner of 2A Wine Merchants and the forthcoming 1033 restaurant to find out more about the inspiration behind the 14-seat restaurant. During our chat, Levin shares his vision for 1033, the thinking behind the design of the restaurant and the elements of the restaurant’s menu, created by Chef Justin Carlisle of Ardent. We also delve deeply into the topic of hospitality, answering question...
Behind the scenes with Samantha Mitchell of SamanthaStarr Events
April 23, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 44.3 MBIt was 2016 when Samantha Mitchell took the initiative to plan her first events under the moniker SamanthaStarr Events. At the time, the public relations and marketing graduate was working full time for a local nonprofit and pursuing her passion for events planning on the side. Six years later, Mitchell is taking an entrepreneurial leap and leaving the comfort of her day job to pursue her events company full time. We sat down with Mitchell to chat about her entrepreneurial journey, the win...
A fresh take on Indian fare with author Ruta Kahate of “6 Spices, 60 Dishes”
April 16, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 48.4 MBIndian fare has long been seen as complex and time-consuming. And certainly, there are many dishes that require special techniques, a laundry list of spices and more time than your average American home cook might wish to spend cooking. Fortunately, there are easy ways to create simple, fresh Indian dishes that are also big on taste. This week, we're talking to Chef Ruta Kahate, owner of Ruta's restaurant and author of "6 Spices, 60 Dishes," a brand new cookbook which showcases myriad optio...
Rethinking zero proof at The Counter Day Bar
April 02, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 44.8 MBRecent years have brought forth a shift in the culture surrounding bars, cocktails and attitudes toward drinking (and not drinking). And it has created an increased interest in low-proof and no-proof cocktail options. This week on the podcast, we’re talking with Zoe Lomenzo of The Counter Day Bar, a beverage destination that specializes in zero proof offerings. Not unlike its sister business, Discourse, The Counter Day Bar aspires to break the usual molds and exceed expectations for no-proof...
Popping the cork with Thelma Carol Wine Merchants
March 26, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 59.9 MBFrom its vintage library aesthetic to the selection of wine, spirits and tobacco on the shelves, there’s nothing ordinary about Thelma Carol Wine Merchants, one of the newest retail shops in the Cream City. This week we’re sitting down with proprietors Rebecca Button and Jerel Hall to chat about their journey to wine, the inspiration behind their shop and their perspectives on the ever-evolving world of wine. Along the way, we chat about natural wine, the work being done at American Wine Pr...
How American Wine Project is reframing Wisconsin wine
March 19, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 54.6 MBWisconsin is rarely acknowledged when it comes to serious discussions about wine and wine-making. But all of that is changing thanks to the work of folks including Erin Rasmussen, winemaker and founder of American Wine Project. This week, we’re sitting down with Rasmussen to discuss her journey to the wine world and the impetus for her return to Wisconsin to explore the subtleties of cold-climate winemaking. Along the way we chat about the history of winemaking in the U.S., the challenges R...
A decade later: Enlightened Brewing Company
March 12, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 47.2 MBA great deal has changed since 2013 when Tommy Vandervort launched the concept for Enlightened Brewing Company, a brewery concept that – a decade later – is part of an engaged community of local breweries, each of which contributes to the ever-growing craft scene in Milwaukee. This week, we sat down with Vandervort and Enlightened Brewing co-owner James Larson to take a look back, not only at the origin of the brewery but the blood sweat and tears that led to the establishment of their cur...
What's a shrub? A chat with the badass women behind Siren Shrub Co.
March 05, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 43.1 MBWhat the heck is a shrub? That's what we're discussing this week on FoodCrush. Fortunately, we've got help from Mindy McCord and Layne Cozzolino of Siren Shrub Co., two Wisconsin-based entrepreneurs who’ve made it their business (literally) to make the vinegar cordials into a must-have beverage for drinkers and non-drinkers alike. Follow along as we chat with McCord and Cozzolino about their backgrounds, their entrepreneurial journey and their infectious passion for a strangely delicious dr...
Building a community hub: Chris Harris Morse of North Avenue Market
February 26, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 56.3 MBThe goal of building community is likely a component of nearly every food hall project. But it’s tough to imagine a food hall for which that tenet is more central than at North Avenue Market, a new Milwaukee area food hall which opened on the West Side of Milwaukee last September. This week on FoodCrush, we’re sitting down with market founder Chris Harris Morse to talk about the community-based mission for the North Avenue Market, how it came about and the challenges which he confronted as h...
Next level vegan fare with Chef Joya
February 12, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 49.1 MBMilwaukee native, Adjoa Courtney, grew up begrudgingly eating the vegan fare her parents cooked for her as she was growing up. Little did she know, she’d eventually build a successful business teaching others how to successfully adopt a plant-based lifestyle. On this week’s podcast, we talk with Chef Joya about her food journey, from cooking with her grandmother in the kitchen to creating meals for celebrities. Along the way, she talks about her move to Charlotte, North Carolina, the positi...
Six grate years: A chat with Chef Aaron Patin of Iron Grate BBQ
February 05, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 54.9 MBWhen Chef Aaron Patin made the announcement that he would be closing Iron Grate BBQ Co. after six successful years in business, the news came as a shock to barbeque lovers across the city of Milwaukee and beyond. The questions came fast and furious: Why would he choose to close? And what would he do next? This week on FoodCrush, we sat down with Chef Aaron Patin, originator of the “Milwaukee Rib” to talk about his experience opening Iron Grate BBQ and the impact he had on the nascent Milwau...
Good sustainable tea: A chat with Aureal Ojeda of Outwoken Tea
January 22, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 56.2 MBDid you know that all tea comes from the same plant? That “herbal tea” really isn’t tea at all? Do you know what gives Tumoi Purple Tea its vibrant color? Or what prompted a local construction worker to leave her job to found a sustainable tea company? We’re answering those questions and more on this week’s podcast with Aureal Ojeda, founder of Outwoken Tea. During our conversation, Ojeda shares her entrepreneurial journey, tells us more about the mission of Outwoken Tea and drops a load of...
What you need to know about EVOO with Josh Saiia of Oro di Oliva
January 15, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 50.2 MBUnlike wine, olive oil does not get better with age. In fact, as the oil gets older, it begins to break down. Its acidity rises and its flavor dissipates. Unfortunately, as it ages, its well-touted health benefits begin to disappear as well. But how do you know how fresh your olive oil is? Most people don’t. But this week on FoodCrush, we’re getting answers to myriad questions about EVOO, from how it’s made to the remarkable flavors it can impart into a dish. Interested? Join us for a fasc...
Lao food, family and tradition with Victoria Sithy & Alex Hanesakda
January 08, 2023 01:00 - 1 hour - 48.5 MBLao cuisine is definitely having a moment. And when it comes to creative Lao fare in Southeastern Wisconsin, restaurants including Sweet Basil and SapSap are assisting in familiarizing a cuisine which has long taken a backseat to other Southeast Asian fare. This week on FoodCrush, we sat down with Victoria Sithy, co-founder of Sweet Basil and Alex Hanesakda of SapSap to chat about food, family and tradition and how all of the above have shaped the way they approach their work in the restaur...
From Texas to Wisconsin, a chat with Chef Ashley Turner
December 03, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 53.1 MBWhen Ashley Turner accepted the offer to reimagine the menu at Hacienda Taproom & Kitchen, she brought a wealth of experience to the proverbial table. But she also brought a deep cultural knowledge of Texas BBQ and Southwestern fare. This week, we sat down with the native Texan to chat about her experience growing up in a Southern restaurant family, the “secrets” behind great Texas BBQ and the culinary journey that brought her to Wisconsin. Along the way, we chat about her passion for food,...
An intoxicating chat with "Bar Menu" author Andre Darlington
November 20, 2022 02:00 - 1 hour - 43.9 MBAmong the most respected authors in the cocktail realm, André Darlington has built a solid reputation with tomes like “The New Cocktail Hour” and “Booze Cruise.” However, in his latest book, “Bar Menu”, he’s combined two of his long-held passions: cocktails and food. This week on FoodCrush, we sat down with Darlington to discuss his new book, which is filled with 100+ easy-to-prepare globally-inspired dishes, plus over 30 cocktail recipes: a true resource for anyone who’d like to host a mem...
From hobby to pop-up: The story of Sweet Smoke BBQ
November 12, 2022 16:00 - 1 hour - 46.6 MBSometimes, a food experience can be life changing. Such was the case for Adam Bielke whose world was turned upside down by a fateful trip to Austin’s legendary Franklin BBQ. This week on FoodCrush, we’re sitting down with Bielke and his wife Cindi, the owners of Sweet Smoke BBQ, to chat about the meal that changed everything. From the meal that birthed an obsession with Texas style BBQ, to the research that went into trying to recreate the flavors at home, we’re delving deep with this coup...
Chef Adam Siegel reflects on his career & inspiration for Lupi & Iris
October 30, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 47.8 MBAfter 21 years with the Bartolotta Restaurant Group, James Beard Award-winning Chef Adam Siegel has launched his very first solo project, Lupi & Iris. Just five months in, we’re catching up with Siegel to chat about his storied career, how it led him to Milwaukee and the experiences that led to the creation of the new restaurant. Along the way he shares stories of his training with Paul Bartolotta, his travels in Europe and the dishes that inspire him.
Bringing Italy to the Table with the folks from Ca’Lucchenzo
October 23, 2022 03:00 - 1 hour - 54.8 MBLast spring, we sat down with Sarah and Zak Baker, the husband and wife team behind Ca’Lucchenzo Pastificio & Enoteca, a West Side mecca for housemade pasta and regional Italian dishes. Our conversation centered around their culinary backgrounds and the experiences that made opening their own restaurant possible. But we promised to bring them back to chat about the delicious food that they serve. And this week, we did just that. Listen in for the story of how the Bakers fell in love with It...
A curd-filled chat with the Cheese Queen
October 14, 2022 15:00 - 1 hour - 54.2 MBEver wonder what comprises the best fried cheese curds? Is it the cheese? The breading? The sauce? All of the above? This week on FoodCrush we’re getting down to business with cheese curd expert, Sam Buschman (AKA the “Cheese Queen”), the woman behind the brand Wisconsin Cheese Please. During our chat, we’ll discuss how Buschman’s cheese curd obsession began, the criteria she uses to review cheese curds all over the State of Wisconsin and the lessons she’s learned along the way. She also sh...
Two Dans, a restaurant and delicious Peking Duck
October 08, 2022 20:00 - 1 hour - 56.9 MBIf you’ve been to Dandan or EsterEv, you’ve likely eaten food prepared by Chefs Daniel Jacobs and Dan Van Rite. And if you have, you know the level at which they’ve worked to bring their takes on Chinese-American and fine dining cuisine to the proverbial table. But how did the two chefs end up working together? What’s the yin and yang that makes them click? What’s the secret behind their fantastic Peking Duck? And what are their favorite dishes at the restaurant? We’ll answer all those que...
Author Jeanette Hurt shares tips, tricks & ideas for dehydrating food
September 24, 2022 19:00 - 1 hour - 47.7 MBDehydration is one of the oldest methods of food preservation. In fact, it’s been used for centuries as an efficient mechanism for safely storing fruits, vegetables, herbs, pasta and even meats. And thanks to the revival of DIY methods like fermentation and canning, dehydrating foods is having a moment. But this time, it’s not just reserved for hippies and backpackers. In her new book, “Dehydrating: Simple Techniques and Over 170 Recipes for Creating and Using Dehydrated Foods,” author Jean...
From friendship to restaurateurship
September 17, 2022 14:00 - 1 hour - 68.8 MBRunning a restaurant takes vision, business acumen, determination and attention to detail. But it also requires adaptability, knowledge of the market and a willingness to work hard and evolve with the times. All of those things came into play for Chef Andrew Miller, Cameron Whyte and Same Emery as they embarked on a collective journey to open Merriment Social, Third Coast Provisions and Flourchild Pizza. During the 150th episode of the FoodCrush Podcast, we’re talking with these longtime fr...
A chat with Food Network baker Kimberly Hall of Signature Sweets
September 11, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 47 MBLast year, when “Buddy vs. Duff” premiered on the Food Network, one of the judges was Milwaukee’s own cake boss Kimberly Hall, a seven-time Food Network baking contender and owner of Signature Sweets. This week, we’re sitting down with Hall to chat about her background and the baking journey that graced her with multiple appearances on Food Network shows, as well as the big win that helped to launch her bakery business. During our conversation, she shares personal stories, highlights from ...
A taste of Italian coffee culture with the owners of Vendetta Coffee Bar
August 28, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 46.1 MBWhen Vendetta Coffee Bar opened in Wauwatosa last July, it marked a first for the Milwaukee area, offering guests a taste of the traditional coffee houses found in cities across Italy. This week, we’re chatting with co-owners Bill Haley and Tommy Orlando of Vendetta Coffee Bar about their backgrounds and introduction to coffee, the inspiration behind their Italian inspired cafes and the Italian influences that make them unique. Along the way, we also discuss the expansion of offerings at t...
Behind the camera with Siege Food Photo
August 14, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 52.3 MBThe COVID-19 pandemic changed everything for Melissa and Marc Tantillo, a husband and wife team who made the decision to channel their passions for food and photography into a business that aims to assist restaurants in telling their stories. Two years later, Siége Food Photo has made their mark on the food scenes in Milwaukee, Chicago and beyond through work with countless restaurants including Birch, Electric Lime, Heaven’s Table BBQ and Heirloom MKE. This week on FoodCrush, we’re sitting...
Paul Hackbarth on Camp Bar at State Fair
July 31, 2022 06:00 - 59 minutes - 41.2 MBWhen Rupena's Fine Foods decided to sell their Wisconsin State Fair pavilion after 49 years, it was a landmark decision. But it also presented an opportunity for a new generation to put its mark on the fair. This week on the podcast, we're talking with Paul Hackbarth of Hackbarth Hospitality about his plans for the new Camp Bar pavilion at the fair. During our conversation, Hackbarth shares the story of the multi-year journey to acquire the pavilion, his family history with the fair and wha...
The origin and evolution of Hue Vietnamese Restaurant
July 24, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 47.1 MBWhen Cat Tran and Mark Nielsen started Hue Vietnamese Restaurant in 2010, their goal was to create a restaurant that introduced the cuisine to customers in the most accessible way possible. Not everyone understood their mission, but by and by they created a brand that became a staple in the community. On this week’s podcast, we’re discussing the origins of the restaurant and the evolution of the brand over the past 12 years. Along the way, we also delve into Tran and Nielsen’s decision to b...
The world of non-dairy ice cream with Olivia Menzia of Liv a Little
July 12, 2022 15:00 - 1 hour - 51.1 MBOlivia Menzia has always loved ice cream. But when she started her own ice cream brand, she decided to not only tackle the growing demand for plant-based ice cream while producing a product that’s just as delicious as any dairy-based treat. On this week’s podcast, we’re chatting with Menzia about the origin of her business (which hearkens back to her college days), why she chose to tackle dairy-free ice cream and the inspiration behind her cleverly named ice cream flavors. We also chat abou...
The world of non-dairy ice cream with Olivia Menzia of Liv a Little
July 12, 2022 15:00 - 1 hour - 51.1 MBOlivia Menzia has always loved ice cream. But when she started her own ice cream brand, she decided to not only tackle the growing demand for plant-based ice cream while producing a product that’s just as delicious as any dairy-based treat. On this week’s podcast, we’re chatting with Menzia about the origin of her business (which hearkens back to her college days), why she chose to tackle dairy-free ice cream and the inspiration behind her cleverly named ice cream flavors. We also chat abou...
A look at modern Indian dining with the owners of Saffron
July 10, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 59 MBOver the past decade, the U.S. has seen a food revolution in terms of Indian dining. The once rustic heritage Indian fare traditionally served in restaurants has begun to take on new forms, with a growing number of young chefs offering modern takes on dishes like chicken tikka, tandoori chicken, as well as adding new Indian-inspired fare to their menus. Among the changes brought on by more modern Indian fare is an emphasis on carefully chosen, often local, ingredients, which are presented i...
A look at modern Indian dining with the owners of Saffron
July 10, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 59 MBOver the past decade, the U.S. has seen a food revolution in terms of Indian dining. The once rustic heritage Indian fare traditionally served in restaurants has begun to take on new forms, with a growing number of young chefs offering modern takes on dishes like chicken tikka, tandoori chicken, as well as adding new Indian-inspired fare to their menus. Among the changes brought on by more modern Indian fare is an emphasis on carefully chosen, often local, ingredients, which are presented i...
Heirloom MKE owners harness community with food truck
June 25, 2022 14:00 - 1 hour - 51.3 MBIf you’d have told Jess and Pete Ignatiev of Heirloom MKE two years ago that owning a food truck would be just as gratifying as opening their own restaurant, there’s a better-than-average chance they wouldn’t have believed you. But much has changed. With the launch of a successful mobile food operation under their belts and the freedom to pave their own way forward, the couple has created not only a popular destination for ordering restaurant-worthy fare – from housemade burrata to steamed...
Behind the buzz with Ryan Castelaz of Discourse Coffee
June 04, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBNeed a pick me up? Join us as we delve into the caffeinated world of third (and maybe even fourth) wave coffee with Ryan Castelaz, the founder of Discourse Coffee. During our chat, Castelaz dives into his journey to coffee, the origins of Discourse and the evolution of the brand which began in Door County, Wisconsin but which has now carved out a niche in the Milwaukee beverage scene. Along the way, he shares not only his personal passion for the craft, but the inspiration behind a brand wh...
From pizza rolls to chopped cheese: A chat with the folks behind Gavilán
May 14, 2022 13:00 - 1 hour - 45.5 MBOn this week’s podcast, we’re heading behind the scenes with Ryan Hoffman, Patrice Gentile and Ricky Ramirez, the folks behind one of the most unique food truck concepts to hit the streets in the Cream City. Unlike most trucks, Gavilán operates without a particular theme, serving up an inventive, ever-changing menu of eccentric, bar-worthy fare. But where does the inspiration for the truck come from? What’s the synergy between Gavilan and its homebase bar, The Mothership? And how do they ke...
Ca'Lucchenzo: The origins of an Italian restaurant
May 07, 2022 15:00 - 1 hour - 59.2 MBOn this week’s podcast, we’re sitting down with Sarah and Zak Baker, the husband and wife team behind Ca’Lucchenzo Pastificio & Enoteca, a West Side mecca for housemade pasta and regional Italian dishes. During our chat, they share their culinary journeys, from inaugural jobs like Starbucks barista and Door County busser to their current roles as restaurateurs. Along the way, they share stories from their time with the Bartolotta Restaurant Group where they met, trained and fell in love; th...
15 years of French fare with Chef Andrew Schneider of Le Reve Patisserie & Cafe
April 30, 2022 13:00 - 1 hour - 47 MBBiting into a crisp, buttery croissant is an experience that has the potential to incite a sigh of gustatory satisfaction. But it takes skill and perseverance to create a well executed pastry that keeps customers coming back time and time again. Among the places in Milwaukee which have done so is Le Reve Patisserie & Cafe, which has been gleaned accolades for its French bistro fare and well executed pastries for 15 years. This week, we’re sitting down with Chef Andrew Schneider, who found...
Behind the waffle iron with the Belgian liege waffle experts at Press
April 23, 2022 14:00 - 1 hour - 46.9 MBFew people love waffles more than Leslie Knope of “Parks and Rec,” who spent seven seasons of the popular television series finding new ways to express her love for the popular breakfast food. But if we had to pick two other people whose love for waffles transcends most other things, it would be Aaron Rosko and Emily Thomas of Press, who single-handedly championed the Belgian liege waffle and made it an indelible part of the Milwaukee food scene. This week on the podcast, we’re sitting dow...
Behind the waffle iron with the Belgian liege waffle experts at Press
April 23, 2022 14:00 - 1 hour - 46.9 MBFew people love waffles more than Leslie Knope of “Parks and Rec,” who spent seven seasons of the popular television series finding new ways to express her love for the popular breakfast food. But if we had to pick two other people whose love for waffles transcends most other things, it would be Aaron Rosko and Emily Thomas of Press, who single-handedly championed the Belgian liege waffle and made it an indelible part of the Milwaukee food scene. This week on the podcast, we’re sitting dow...
Burgers, community & commitment collide at Crafty Cow
April 09, 2022 14:00 - 1 hour - 56.4 MBIt was 2014 when Devin Eichler opened the first location for Crafty Cow in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Since then, the craft beer and burger bar has evolved, adding two additional locations in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa and upping its game in terms of its sourcing for ingredients, its commitment to eco-friendly practices and the benefits it offers for employees. This week on the FoodCrush Podcast, we’re sitting down with Eichler to talk about the lessons he’s learned over the past eight years, the ...
From pierogi to hot dish, a chat with Hot Dish Pantry
April 02, 2022 14:00 - 1 hour - 42.7 MBThis week on the FoodCrush podcast, we’re talking to comfort food aficionados Laura Maigatter and Nathan Heck of Hot Dish Pantry, a brand which recently launched a brick and mortar location in the 3rd Street Market Hall. Join us for a fun, insightful discussion about the origins of their business, the yin and yang that makes their partnership work, the infamous Minnesota hot dish and the secrets behind the creatively filled pierogi that have made Hot Dish Pantry such a popular stop at the n...
Behind the bar with Miles Patzer of Station No. 6
March 26, 2022 17:00 - 1 hour - 45.8 MBWhen Station No. 6 opened in 2019, the four seasons outdoor beer garden aimed to fill a void on the West Allis scene. But just a few years later, most of which transpired during the COVID-19 pandemic, the venue has evolved into a popular hang-out for craft beer and cocktail enthusiasts alike. This week, we sat down with Miles Patzer, operator for the indoor/outdoor venue to chat about his beer background, his growing passion for cocktails and the programming he’s put in place to make Stati...
On location in Mexico: Demystifying mezcal
March 20, 2022 02:00 - 1 hour - 41.8 MBIf you’ve ever wanted to know more about mezcal and its more popular sister spirit tequila, this episode is for you. In fact, we traveled all the way to Mexico to get the skinny on these agave-based spirits. This week we’re talking with Edgar Portilla, the head sommelier for the El Dorado Resorts in Riviera Maya, Mexico, about Mexico’s most famous export, mezcal. During our conversation, Portilla covers all the basics (all tequilas are mezcals, but not all mezcals are tequilas); but he als...
Wine O'Clock with Ty McNulty of Third Coast Provisions
March 06, 2022 01:00 - 1 hour - 55.9 MBThe wine industry is always evolving, and that means there’s ways something new to explore. This week on FoodCrush, we’re sitting down with Ty McNulty, beverage director at Third Coast Provisions to discuss all things wine. During our chat, we discuss where his interest in wine began, how it’s developed over the years and how he shares his knowledge with diners. Along the way, he shares his experiences with wine education, as well as his recommendations for great wines to drink right now. S...
Valeri Lucks on big moves, fair wages & revitalizing Comet Cafe
February 27, 2022 03:00 - 1 hour - 42.9 MBThis week on the FoodCrush podcast, we caught up with Valeri Lucks, co-owner of Honeypie Cafe, SmallPie, Palomino and Comet Cafe about industry life, her career and exciting things on the horizon. During our chat, we discuss Honeypie Cafe’s big move, the way Lucks is working toward fair compensation for both front and back of house employees and her full circle decision to re-assume ownership for Comet Cafe, a restaurant she and her brother Adam Lucks helped to transform in 2005 (and operat...
David Marcus talks Marc’s Big Boy to Benson’s Restaurant Group
February 13, 2022 14:00 - 1 hour - 58.8 MBMilwaukee is home to numerous family-owned businesses. Among them is the multifaceted Marcus Corporation, which was founded by Ben Marcus in 1935, and which now comprises a collection of movie theaters, restaurants and hotels across the country. This week, we’re sitting down with David Marcus, CEO of Marcus Investment Group, the parent company of Benson’s Restaurant Group to talk about his experience as a third generation operator. During our conversation, we discuss the legacy of the Marc...
Life, lard & living the pie life with Allison Cebulla of Hatched
January 30, 2022 14:00 - 1 hour - 56.3 MBPie or cake? That’s the big question on today’s podcast. But regardless of where you stand on the matter, you’ll love our conversation with pastry chef and entrepreneur, Allison Cebulla, who has made a career out of her love for pie. During our chat, we trace Cebulla’s culinary journey from the days she spent in the kitchen with her parents to the moment she decided to take a leap and start her own business. Along the way, she shares baking tips, opinions on what makes the best pie, stories...
A chat with Milwaukee's tostada queen
January 23, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 48.5 MBIn December of 2021, we sat down with the owners of Maranta Plant Shop to talk about how they’ve built community in the Bronzeville Neighborhood through both their retail shop and mobile food trailer, Tostada by Maranta. This week we’re talking with the woman behind those delicious tostadas: Chef Dominique Alvarado-Gonzalez. During our conversation, she talks about her culinary journey, the experiences that have influenced her career and her approach to making some of Milwaukee’s best tos...
A chat with 16 year old food reviewer Dominic Dean
December 19, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 45 MBDominic Dean (aka Dominic the Food Reviewer) is a teenage writer and student at St. Francis High School who began sharing his passion for food by posting positively-focused restaurant reviews on Facebook. Since he created his page in 2019, he has been featured by multiple media outlets including Fox6, CBS58 and TMJ4. This week on FoodCrush, we sat down with Dean to learn a bit more about him, including how he got started writing about food, his favorite dishes and some of the things that h...