Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders

40 Episodes
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By: Charlie DeSando

Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders is an interview and cooking show where we talk about our guest’s work in the community, cook something, and then enjoy the meal together. From our elected leaders to those working at the grassroots, we talk with people trying to make Milwaukee a better place.

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Simple Dishes, Big Flavor —Chef Kevin Sloan’s Guide to Comfort Classics
Simple Dishes, Big Flavor —Chef Kevin Sloan’s Guide to Comfort Classics episode artwork
#147
Today at 4:16 PM

Join host Charlie for another episode of Munching Around Milwaukee as he sits down with Chef Kevin Sloan to explore his fascinating culinary journey—from Milwaukee to New Mexico and eventually back home.

 

Kevin shares stories from his longtime role in the Pabst Theater Group kitchens, along with insights into his newest project, The Food Chronicles: In the Kitchen with Kevin Sloan.

 

Along the way, Kevin offers practical tips for creating simple, delicious dishes, including Hungarian goulash and the Italian classic aglio e olio. He also discusses his contribution to the Visi...


Jamaican Jerk & Community Care: Andre Storey Cooks Up Culture in Milwaukee
Jamaican Jerk & Community Care: Andre Storey Cooks Up Culture in Milwaukee episode artwork
#146
Last Tuesday at 11:56 AM

On this episode of Munching Around Milwaukee, host Charlie sits down with Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital President Andre Storey for an inspiring conversation about leadership, community, and family.

 

Andre shares his journey from growing up in a first-generation family of caregivers to leading one of Milwaukee’s most historic hospitals. Together, they discuss community health priorities, the importance of accessible care, and recent celebrations that have brought people together across the city.

 

The episode also heads into the kitchen, where Andre and his son Jayden prepare a delicious Jamaican meal f...


High Stakes: Paul Bartolotta’s Bold Bet on Downtown Milwaukee
High Stakes: Paul Bartolotta’s Bold Bet on Downtown Milwaukee episode artwork
#145
10/24/2026

On a special edition of Munching Around Milwaukee, host Charlie tours High Stakes by Bartolotta and the Peacock Lounge with Bartolotta Restaurant Group owner and co-founder, two-time James Beard Award winner, Chef Paul Bartolotta. They explore the restaurant’s art-deco design, unique dining rooms, exclusive Wagyu program, and the playful Milwaukee Players Room that honors Milwaukee community leaders.

 

Paul reflects on his family legacy, the growth of the Bartolotta Restaurant Group, their role in elevating Milwaukee’s food scene, and how High Stakes represents his personal stake in revitalizing downtown.

 

You can wa...


Steak, Collards & Community: Cooking with Scott Marshall
#144
10/14/2026

Live from Studio D, host Charlie sits down with Scott Marshall, CEO of Community Smiles Dental, to cook a simple meal—steak with collard greens and chickpeas—and discuss Scott’s journey from radio marketing to nonprofit leadership.

 

The episode highlights Community Smiles Dental’s work bridging gaps in pediatric dental care for children on Medicaid in Southeast Wisconsin, the challenges families face finding dental providers, and how fundraising helps provide essential services.

 

You can watch the YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/tknCf6QQnPQ 

 

“Cooking with Milwaukee Comm...


Burgers, Bravery, and Bloody Marys: The Sobelman Story
Burgers, Bravery, and Bloody Marys: The Sobelman Story episode artwork
#143
10/09/2026

On this episode of Munching Around Milwaukee, host Charlie visits Sobelman’s Pub & Grill to chat with owner Dave Sobelman.

 

They discuss the bar’s history, roots as an original Schlitz pub, and how Dave turned a neighborhood tavern into a city-famous spot for burgers and over-the-top Bloody Marys.

 

They talk about the viral chicken-topped Bloody Mary, the Shepherd Express breakthrough, their Bloody Mary bottled products, and how the business adapts to changing customers and rising costs.

 

The episode highlights Sobelman’s loyal following, three-story building (including an Airbnb...


UniteWI & Fishbone Social — Community Health, Hospitality, and Hope
#142
10/07/2026

To start the 5th year of Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, host Charlie visits Fishbone Social in midtown Milwaukee

 

He chats with Bria Grant, executive director of UniteWI, about the new restaurant and community hub.

 

The episode highlights Fishbone’s mission: combining hospitality with workforce development by training community health workers, creating job pathways, and building economic opportunity in the 3rd Ward.

 

Viewers get a tour of the kitchen, meet staff, learn about the restaurant’s local history theme and franchise roots, and sample menu favorites like the Cat...


Inside Milwaukee's Authentic Döner Kebab: Germany's #1 Street Food
Inside Milwaukee's Authentic Döner Kebab: Germany's #1 Street Food episode artwork
#141
09/26/2026

Join Host Charlie at Döner Kebab in Milwaukee to meet co-owners Ray and Alma. He watches how they prepare Germany's favorite street food: rotisserie Black Angus shaved into warm, homemade flatbread with lettuce, red cabbage, onion, and signature herb-spicy sauces.

 

The episode explores the dish's popularity in Germany (about 16,000 shops serving 2 million people daily), shows the in-house bread and sauce prep, and ends with a taste test of this authentic Döner Kebab,

 

You can see the YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/Xdfss_qCMdc 

 

You can fi...


Cooking Nigerian Classics with Chef Titi - Egusi, Fufu, Jollof Rice
Cooking Nigerian Classics with Chef Titi - Egusi, Fufu, Jollof Rice episode artwork
#138
08/29/2026

Cooking Nigerian Classics with Chef Titi - Egusi, Fufu, Jollof Rice

 

Join the International YouTube Collab as Chef Titi of Taste of Africa guides a flavorful journey through Nigerian cuisine, preparing jollof rice, egusi (melon-seed) soup, pounded yam fufu, fried plantains, and fried beef.

 

The episode mixes cooking tips, cultural context, and a tasting around the table, showcasing authentic ingredients and techniques in a friendly Milwaukee kitchen.

 

You can watch the YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/hfprloPDUrc 

 

The recipe can be found here...


Burgers, Films, and Community: Cooking with Kristopher Pollard
#140
08/21/2026

In this episode of Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, host Charlie cooks cheeseburgers and sweet potato fries with Kristopher Pollard, Milwaukee Film's giving and membership director. They grill, make a Big Mac–style "special sauce" and a sriracha dipping sauce, and sit down to enjoy the meal.

 

Between bites, Christopher talks about his journey to Milwaukee, his work building Milwaukee Film's membership programs, and the growth and community impact of the Milwaukee Film Festival.

 

You can watch the YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/2X9xLFUJ_sI 

 

“Cooking...


Kinship Cafe: Shania’s Recipe for Community & Great Food
Kinship Cafe: Shania’s Recipe for Community & Great Food episode artwork
#139
08/14/2026

On this episode of Munching Around Milwaukee, host Charlie visits Kinship Café in downtown Milwaukee. He chats with Café Culinary Manager Shania Hutchins about the menu and the café’s role in workforce development. Together, they sample a Mediterranean grilled salmon salad.

 

The episode highlights Kinship’s mission to train and employ community members, Shania’s culinary journey from Tandem to Kinship, and the café's support for healthy, affordable meals and community connections.

 

You can watch the YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/TqD6bMDydGg 

 

Kinship Cafe -  https...


La Masa Empanada Bar: Brady Street to the Public Market
La Masa Empanada Bar: Brady Street to the Public Market episode artwork
#137
08/09/2026

On this episode of Munching Around Milwaukee, host Charlie chats with Megan Todd, co-owner of La Masa Empanada Bar, about their two Milwaukee locations.

 

La Masa features freshly made empanadas and recently expanded into the Milwaukee Public Market. They discuss menu evolution, brunch offerings, and the fast-paced grab-and-go concept at the market.

 

The episode highlights La Masa's commitment to daily-made dough, a variety of empanada flavors, community roots, and the vibrant local food scene in Milwaukee.

 

You can watch the YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/DYs_pvx...


Spicy Homemade Quasi-Bolognese: Milwaukee Community, Cooking & Convention Center Tales
#136
08/06/2026

Live from Studio D, host Charlie welcomes Megan Seppmann, Chief Commercial Officer of the Wisconsin Center District.  Megan shares her family spin on a spicy, veggie-forward bolognese-style sauce, featuring chicken meatballs, ground beef, roasted poblano peppers, and jalapeño-stuffed olives.

 

Between cooking steps, Megan discusses her Minnesota roots, hospitality career, and how the Baird Center and other venues are driving Milwaukee’s growth as a convention destination.

 

The episode blends cooking, community leadership, and local pride as the hosts taste the finished dish and talk about the city’s culinary scene, events...


Munching Around Milwaukee: Inside Momo Mee's Soup Dumpling Sensation
Munching Around Milwaukee: Inside Momo Mee's Soup Dumpling Sensation episode artwork
#135
08/06/2026

In this episode of Munching Around Milwaukee, host Charlie visits Momo Mee and talks with owner Himanshu Makansa about the pan-Asian restaurant’s focus on handmade soup dumplings (momo) and noodle dishes (mee), plus its local awards and loyal following.

 

The episode highlights Momo Mee’s steamed soup dumplings, Korean spicy noodles, craft cocktails, large portions, newly added halal options, and the owner’s strategy of preserving consistency while carefully improving the operation.

 

Himanshu gives Charlie a tutorial on the proper way to enjoy the soup dumplings.

 

You can w...


Taste of Poland — Authentic Bigos & Polish Stories with Chef Joe Parajecki
Taste of Poland — Authentic Bigos & Polish Stories with Chef Joe Parajecki episode artwork
#133
08/02/2026

Join Charlie and Chef Joe Parajecki as they cook Bigos, Poland’s national dish — a hearty blend of pork, beef, kielbasa, sauerkraut, dried mushrooms, prunes, and spices — and let it simmer to perfection.

 

Along the way, they discuss the Polish Center of Wisconsin, Polish Fest, Joe’s culinary work, and an upcoming foodie tour in Poland, then taste the finished dish.

 

You can watch the YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/A79kQ7OQ3FM 

 

You can find the recipe for Bigos here - https://cookingsecretsformen.com/2026/07/24/bigos-hunter...


Vinyl, Local Eats & Second Chances at Fiddleheads
#134
07/14/2026

Charlie visits Fiddleheads in Lake Leelanau, MI, to speak with co-owner Chef Joshua Deters, who also runs the historic VI Grill in Suttons Bay, MI. They discuss Joshua’s Cincinnati roots, culinary training, and long restaurant career, which led to his ownership and rebranding of the VI Grill.

 

The episode covers opening Fiddleheads during the pandemic, its breakfast-to-dinner menu, local sourcing, live music and vinyl culture, pop-up dinners, community programs like the Mockingbird Foundation, and the chef’s commitment to mentoring and second chances.

 

The episode features Fiddleheads Wagyu Corned Beef Reuben...


Smoked Fish Dip & Wood-Fired Lamb — Milwaukee Meets Sweden
Smoked Fish Dip & Wood-Fired Lamb — Milwaukee Meets Sweden episode artwork
#128
06/27/2026

Hi, and welcome to another international YouTube club. Please watch and find out where in the world we are this month.

 

Join Milwaukee Chefs Go International at Eldr+Rime in Milwaukee, where Chef Jose Gonzalez and Chef David Cook showcase Swedish-inspired dishes: a smoky whitefish and trout dip with Scandinavian chips and pickled vegetables. 

 

The fire part of the Swedish recipe includes wood-fired Swedish lamb chops finished in a pizza oven with roasted broccolini and garlic aioli. The episode blends traditional Scandinavian techniques with local and Mexican influences for a unique tas...


Lunch in the Galley: Search & Rescue Stories, Homemade Tacos & Coast Guard Duty
Lunch in the Galley: Search & Rescue Stories, Homemade Tacos & Coast Guard Duty episode artwork
#132
06/23/2026

On Munching Around Milwaukee, Capt. Rhianna Macon hosts Charlie at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan, Station Milwaukee. They discuss the Coast Guard's missions on the Great Lakes, search and rescue and ice-rescue training, jurisdictional coordination, and her career path from Hawaii to command after 9/11.

 

The episode also highlights daily life aboard the station with a galley lunch prepared by CS1 Thomas Mildrum —fresh fish tacos, smoky chipotle red beans, and house-made tortilla chips — underscoring the unit’s community and service.

 

If you would like to watch that interview, you can see...


Sage & Salmon: Leadership, Legacy, and One-Pan Brilliance
#130
06/21/2026

On Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, Angela Adams joins host Charlie to discuss her journey from Gary, Indiana, through Florida A&M and corporate roles to founding Sage Business Advisors and leading AALAM.

 

They explore leadership, family, and community service, then prepare a simple one-pan sweet-and-spicy roasted salmon with sweet potatoes and asparagus.

 

The episode combines personal stories, career insights, and an easy, flavorful recipe perfect for weeknights or a casual brunch.

 

You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/ODTzu3vos40 

 


Lulu Cafe & Bar: 25 Years Anchoring Bayview
Lulu Cafe & Bar: 25 Years Anchoring Bayview episode artwork
#129
06/16/2026

On Munching Around Milwaukee, host Charlie visits Bayview to celebrate Lulu Cafe & Bar’s 25th anniversary with co-owners Sarah Jonas and Cam Roberts, tracing their start as a catering business to becoming a neighborhood anchor.

 

The episode covers their early $200-a-month lease, the evolution of their menu and space, community building in Bayview, and upcoming anniversary events, including a big street bash on August 29.

 

We get to munch on the Loaded Lulu chips and the Paisiano Pizza while we chat at Lulu Cafe.

 

“Munching Around Milwaukee” is part of t...


Sofrito & Education Solutions: Vincent Lyles on Community, Education, and Arroz con Ganduless
#127
06/16/2026

On Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders,  host Charlie sits down with Vincent Lyles, Executive Director of Milwaukee Succeeds. They discuss his Milwaukee roots, varied career, and the organization’s focus on improving early childhood education across the city.

 

The episode ends in the kitchen as Vincent prepares a vegan-friendly arroz con gandules (rice and pigeon peas), sharing cooking tips and community stories over a shared meal.

 

You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/Trujb-q3qvE 

 

The recipe can be found here - https://cooking...


The Blocks of Becher Street: From Gummy Bears to a Foodie Empire
The Blocks of Becher Street: From Gummy Bears to a Foodie Empire episode artwork
#126
06/05/2026

On Munching Around Milwaukee, host Charlie visits West Allis to meet Mark Lutz, the owner behind a cluster of connected food businesses on Becher Street. Known as the Blocks of Becher, they include West Allis Cheese & Sausage, Becher Meats, Archie's Flat Top, Scratch Ice Cream, The Bake Sale, and Station No. 6.

 

The episode follows how childhood memories grew into an integrated food destination—touring kitchens, pop-up events, and the people who helped revitalize the neighborhood into a must-visit Milwaukee spot.

 

You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/L3N...


Coq au Vin with Charlie & Julia Child — A French Classic
#120
05/30/2026

Join Charlie and guest Julia Child as they take you through coq au vin, a classic French chicken braised in red wine. This episode of International YouTube Club highlights France and walks viewers through a comforting, flavorful recipe.

 

The hosts season and brown the chicken in bacon fat, sauté the pearl onions and mushrooms, flame the cognac, then add red wine, beef stock, thyme, bay leaves, and tomato paste. The sauce is finished with a butter-and-flour thickener, combined with the braised chicken, and served with the mushrooms and onions.

 

You can wat...


Los Tres Golpes: Marianne Jimenez’s Dominican Mangú and Mission
#125
05/28/2026

On Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, host Charlie talks with Marian Jimenez, a BMO Harris treasury consultant and Latino community advocate. Marian shares her journey from the Dominican Republic to Canada and Milwaukee, and discusses her work advancing diversity, mentoring employees, and supporting small businesses. That work earned her a spot on the Milwaukee Business Journal 40 Under 40 list.

 

In the kitchen, she prepares mangú (green plantains) with fried Dominican salami, fried cheese, and fried eggs—Los Tres Golpes—sharing family memories, practical cooking tips, and how food connects to community and culture.

 

You c...


Chillwaukee on the Milwaukee Riverwalk: Free Pops, Multiple Flavors & Community Vibes
Chillwaukee on the Milwaukee Riverwalk: Free Pops, Multiple Flavors & Community Vibes episode artwork
#124
05/24/2026

On this episode of Munching Around Milwaukee, host Charlie chats with Sam Wisneski, co-owner of Chillwaukee, a Milwaukee-based bicycle-powered popsicle and shaved ice business. They discuss Sam’s entrepreneurial beginnings, how he and his wife bought Chillwaukee, and the company’s community-focused, vegan-friendly menu. 

 

The episode features a lively Riverwalk pop-up where they give away free popsicles, meet local customers, and highlight Chilwaukee’s busy seasonal schedule of festivals, farmers markets, and catering events.  https://chillwaukee.com/ 

 

You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/JHtC2kzOqUc 

 

“...


Ego the Artist Cooks: Tuscan Lamb, Murals & Community
#123
05/19/2026

On Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, host Charlie sits down with Terrell Morgan, aka Ego the Artist, to discuss his journey from Milwaukee's 53206 neighborhood to becoming a renowned community artist and mentor. They cover his murals, work with local festivals and schools, and explore the creative drive behind his activism.

 

Joined by Ego in the studio kitchen, they cook Tuscan lamb chops with garlic, Parmesan Garlic Potatoes, and asparagus, blending artful storytelling with a delicious meal.

 

You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/NNZnn7NKZXM 

 

<...


Heirloom’s Burrata: From Food Truck to Bayview Favorite
Heirloom’s Burrata: From Food Truck to Bayview Favorite episode artwork
#122
05/14/2026

On Munching Around Milwaukee, host Charlie visits Bayview’s Heirloom Restaurant to talk with co-owners Jess and chef Pete Ignatiev. They discuss their farm-to-table restaurant and popular food truck. They discuss seasonal menus, local farm partnerships, and their signature house-made burrata.

 

In the kitchen, Chef Pete shows step-by-step how he makes Heirloom's signature burrata from scratch. Fresh mozzarella curds are washed twice, filled with a ricotta/cream mixture, and served over a bed of arugula, with strawberries, pistachios, and much, much more.

 

The episode covers the couple’s path from a food t...


Spam, Cheese Whiz & Community Care: Puerto Rican Party Classics
#121
05/12/2026

Live from Studio D, host Charlie chats with Shary Pérez, Community Health and Research Director at United Community Center, and Milwaukee Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree. They discuss Shary’s journey from Puerto Rico to a public health career in Milwaukee and her community-engaged research work at UCC.

 

In the kitchen, Shary prepares Puerto Rican party favorites: sandwichitos de mezcla (Spam, Cheese Whiz, cream cheese, and roasted peppers) and a Puerto Rican potato salad with apples and a touch of mustard. The episode blends local leadership, culture, and comforting recipes.

 

You can w...


Chilaquiles & Leadership: Luis Hernandez on Food, Sports, and Community
#119
04/28/2026

In this episode of Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, Host Charlie sits down with Luis Hernandez, Associate Athletic Director and Head of Strategic Communications at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, to discuss his journey from the southeast side of Chicago to leadership in sports communications. They talk about his career path, community work, and stories from Madison and Milwaukee.

 

You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/oPMsjOFOD4E 

 

The recipe is available on our website - https://cookingsecretsformen.com/2026/05/02/chilaquiles-authentic-mexican-comfort-food/ 

 

The episode features a hands...


Inside Thainamite: Milwaukee’s Best Massaman Curry & New Third Ward Concept
Inside Thainamite: Milwaukee’s Best Massaman Curry & New Third Ward Concept episode artwork
#116
04/26/2026

Join host Charlie at Thai-namite in Milwaukee as co-owner Kim shares the restaurant’s history and expansion plans while Chef Jimmy demonstrates their signature beef Massaman curry.

 

Watch the kitchen demo, learn cooking tips and ingredient choices, and get a preview of Thainamite’s new upscale-casual concept opening in Milwaukee's Third Ward.

 

You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/bTFnKV4rZ_U 

 

You can get the recipe here - You can see the recipe on our website here - https://cookingsecretsformen.com/2026/04/30/massaman-curry-with-beef-classic-thai-recipe/ 

 <...


From Mexico to Milwaukee: Oscar Sanchez's Birria Tacos & Entrepreneurial Story
#118
04/23/2026

In this episode of Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, host Charlie interviews Oscar Sanchez, founder and CEO of Ambrosia Events, about his journey from Mexico to Milwaukee, his culinary training and entrepreneurial ventures, and being honored on the Milwaukee Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list.

 

They then head to the kitchen, where Oscar demonstrates how to make traditional-style birria tacos, showing the preparation, slow-cooked beef, assembly with cheese, and serving with dipping juices, cilantro, and onions.

 

You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/CL0Zikl5VJU6

 


Twisted Plants: Milwaukee’s Vegan Comfort Food That Tastes Like the Real Thing
Twisted Plants: Milwaukee’s Vegan Comfort Food That Tastes Like the Real Thing episode artwork
#117
04/20/2026

Munching Around Milwaukee Host Charlie visits Twisted Plants on Brady Street to talk with co-owner Brandon Hawthorne about how a food truck turned into two brick-and-mortar vegan restaurants. 

 

Brandon and his wife Arielle built the business after a health scare and focused on plant-based comfort food that looks and tastes like traditional favorites.

 

The episode highlights the menu favorites like the Up and Smoke and Pineapple Express burgers, popular appetizers such as cauliflower "boneless wings," the food truck’s event work, and the challenges of running a restaurant in today’s economy...


Chocolate Mousse & Community Service: Mary McCormick’s Rotary Farewell
#115
04/16/2026

In this episode of Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, Mary McCormick, outgoing Executive Director of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, reflects on 25 years of community projects, scholarships, and international service while preparing to retire in June. 

 

She discusses major local initiatives like Live at the Lakefront, the Centennial Arboretum, MKE Urban Stables, and Rotary’s work in Guatemala.

 

The episode also features a warm cooking segment where Mary shares a simple, elegant chocolate mousse recipe and enjoys it with host Charlie, combining conversation about civic leadership with a homemade dessert.

 <...


Milwaukee on the Rise: Michelin, James Beard & the Food Scene Shake-Up
Milwaukee on the Rise: Michelin, James Beard & the Food Scene Shake-Up episode artwork
#114
04/13/2026

Host Charlie sits down with Sophie Bollich, Urban Milwaukee’s dining writer, to discuss Milwaukee’s growing food scene, local favorites, and the city’s new inclusion in the Michelin Guide.

They cover Sophie’s background, James Beard nominations, rising restaurant concepts, food trucks, hidden gems, and what’s driving Milwaukee’s culinary momentum.

“Munching Around Milwaukee” is part of the “Milwaukee Podcast Network”. It is an Interview show with local Milwaukee chefs, restaurateurs, foodies, and food influencers.

We talk about the Milwaukee food scene and what makes it so special. We talk while munching on so...


Wiener Schnitzel at Kegel's: Milwaukee Meets Austria
#113
03/28/2026

Welcome to another International YouTube Club episode of Local Chefs Go International. Host Charlie visits Kegel's Inn in Milwaukee to explore Austrian/Bavarian cuisine with co-owner Stephanie Kegel.

Stephanie shares her background and the restaurant's history, then demonstrates how to make a classic Wiener Schnitzel—veal pounded thin, breaded, and fried in clarified butter—offering serving tips and tasting the finished dish.

You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/0VLhM8hdrBY 

Kegel's Inn Milwaukee - https://kegelsinn.com/ 

Visit Milwaukee Cookbook - https://www.visitmilwaukee.org/food-drink/milwau...


Mastering Sushi at Kawa: California & Dragon Roll Secrets
#110
03/03/2026

Hi, and welcome to another episode of Local Chefs Go International. This monthly podcast showcases a different country each month. This month, we are in Japan, and we visit Kawa Ramen & Sushi in Milwaukee to explore Japanese sushi making.

 

Master Sushi Chef Mars demonstrates how to make California rolls, dragon rolls with eel, and nigiri like salmon and yellowtail, sharing tips on rice, knife skills, and sauces.

 

Host Charlie tastes the creations and discusses Kawa’s locations and their upcoming new concept, Miyaki, celebrating Milwaukee’s vibrant Japanese food scene. Co-owner Selina...


From Cockpits to Community: Joseph Addison’s Mission in Milwaukee
#112
02/26/2026

On Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, host Charlie interviews Joseph Addison, President of 100 Black Men of Greater Milwaukee. They talk about his Pensacola, FL roots, military family values, and his pathway to Milwaukee.

 

Joseph explains how his chapter of 100 Black Men focuses on mentoring youth, promoting education, health and wellness, and economic empowerment for the African-American community and the city at large.

 

He describes programs like the Rising Leaders Academy, partnerships with Big Brothers Big Sisters, an aviation camp, and efforts to build relationships with law enforcement and first responders.

...


From Filipino Roots to Sanford’s Table: Chef Josh Mendiola’s Milwaukee Story
From Filipino Roots to Sanford’s Table: Chef Josh Mendiola’s Milwaukee Story episode artwork
#111
02/23/2026

On Munching Around Milwaukee, host Charlie sits down with Josh Mendiola, chef de cuisine at Sanford in downtown Milwaukee, to explore his culinary journey from the Philippines to leading the kitchen at one of the city’s top restaurants.

 

The episode highlights Josh’s signature dishes (a beef kofta and Filipino okoy), his mentors and influences, Sanford’s menus and dining experience, and his work with community programs and chef collaborations.

 

You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/ALl9XNN5mo0 

 

“Munching Around Milwaukee” i...


From Trinidad to Milwaukee: Frank Cumberbatch on Community, Philanthropy, and Cajun Meatloaf
#109
02/18/2026

On this episode of Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, Frank Cumberbatch shares his journey from Trinidad to Milwaukee and his decades-long career in public, private, and nonprofit sectors. 

Frank talks about his work as VP of Engagement at Bader Philanthropies, focusing on community-driven development and inclusive decision-making.

The episode closes with a lighthearted kitchen segment where Frank and host Charlie prepare a spicy Cajun meatloaf and a king cake for Mardi Gras, highlighting how food and conversation bring neighbors together.

“Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders” is part of the "Milwaukee Podcast Network." This show...


From St. Lucia to the St Kate: Chef Kess' Culinary Journey to the St. Kate
From St. Lucia to the St Kate: Chef Kess' Culinary Journey to the St. Kate episode artwork
#108
02/13/2026

On Munching Around Milwaukee, Host Charlie talks with Chef Heskeith "Kess" Flavien, (you can see the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/7KLr_mz8aBE ), executive chef at St. Kate the Arts Hotel in downtown Milwaukee. Kess discusses his journey from St. Lucia to Louisiana culinary school and through local restaurants to his role leading multiple dining outlets at St. Kate, including a new sushi program and seasonal menus.

The episode highlights menu favorites like the Fiesta Fire roll and other sushi offerings among the many menu entrees. They also explore how Kess manages large banquets...


Maxie's Makeover: Chef Joe Mensch Unveils New Southern Bites
Maxie's Makeover: Chef Joe Mensch Unveils New Southern Bites episode artwork
#107
02/08/2026

On this episode of Munching Around Milwaukee, Host Charlie visits Maxie's on Milwaukee's west side to meet chef-owner Joe Muench and sample newly updated appetizers — including hush-puppy-style cheese bites, popcorn crayfish, and a crab-topped deviled egg — following a renovation and menu refresh.

The episode also highlights Black Shoe Hospitality's other concepts (Blue's Egg, Story Hill BKC), Joe's culinary background, the group's catering/food truck, and their community work supporting events like the Kentucky Derby fundraiser and the Ronald McDonald House.

You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/4gz_y3BT_zg