Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders
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.
Episodes
City of Milwaukee Commissioner of City Development Lafayette Crump joins host Charlie to discuss his journey from Milwaukee neighborhoods to Duke University and the Mayor's Cabinet, his work leading city development and housing initiatives, and his approach to public-private partnership for community impact.
The episode also features lighthearted moments—karaoke memories—and a step-by-step, easy paella recipe. Lafayette cooks on t...
This week on the Munching Around Milwaukee Podcast, Chef Darlene VanManivong sits down with host Charlie to talk food, family, and her path from Le Cordon Bleu to executive chef at Rare Steakhouse. You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/nDDBf_0eDbg
The episode features the signature dishes from Rare Steakhouse — braised pork belly salad, a house burger with chimichurri, and a 90‑day aged 32‑oz tomahawk — and high...
On today's episode of Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, Teach for America Milwaukee Executive Director Mike Nguyen chats with host Charlie. Mike shares his family's immigrant story, his educational journey, and his leadership work in the city. You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/sixKRmw24x0
In the cooking segment, Mike demonstrates his favorite childhood recipe—homemade pork and shrimp egg rolls—while ...
On this episode of Munching Around Milwaukee, Chef Kyle Knall joins host Charlie to talk about his award-winning Birch restaurant, directing Stone Bank Farm’s culinary program, and opening a 190-seat French brasserie called Cassis in Milwaukee’s Third Ward. They cover Kyle’s career from Alabama, New York and stops in between before ending up in Milwaukee.
Kyle shares his cooking philosophy of using simple, high-quality ingredients ...
On the Munching Around Milwaukee Podcast, host Charlie talks with Lori Fredrich, senior food and dining editor at OnMilwaukee.com, about her path from classical studies to food writing and her storytelling approach to covering chefs, restaurants, and the people behind the food.
The episode explores Lori's annual 52 Restaurants list, her City Tins curation, which emphasizes women in food, her cookbooks (including Wisconsin Field to ...
On this episode of Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, host Charlie sits down with Diana Bilstrom, a Mexican-born community leader who has worked extensively in nonprofit family services and is the Senior Director for Growth and Strategic Partnerships at the Wisconsin Latino Chamber. Diana shares her personal journey, career path, and her mission to build trust and partnerships that support Hispanic businesses and the wider c...
On this episode of Munching Around Milwaukee, host Charlie sits down with chef Austin Vetter, founder of Fresh Chef Meal Prep and the newly opened Fresh Chef Cafe in West Allis. Austin discusses his weekly rotating menu, gluten-free options, and popular dishes like chicken marsala, loaded potato chili bowls, and cacio e pepe.
Austin explains how Fresh Chef works—no subscription, order weekly through an e-commerce platform, and deli...
On the Munching Around Milwaukee podcast, host Charlie sits down with Britt Buckley of family-owned Buckley’s in downtown Milwaukee. They discuss the restaurant’s journey from a tiny kitchen to a larger dining space, the family-run operation, and the menu of American classics with global influences.
You can watch the full video here - https://youtu.be/y0JoXfYBOEw
The episode highlights seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, Britt’...
On “Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, host Charlie cooks up Disney-shaped pancakes with Ian Abston, co-founder of Light the Hoan, Forward 48, and NEWaukee. They discuss Ian's journey from Elkhart Lake to Milwaukee, the creation of community events like Light the Hoan, and his work connecting young leaders across Wisconsin.
The episode blends local storytelling with a family-friendly cooking segment featuring bacon, fresh fr...
Munching Around Milwaukee host Charlie chats with John Ludwig, co-owner of Riley’s, about launching Riley Sandwich Company, Riley Social House, and Riley Bar + Burger across Milwaukee. They discuss opening during the pandemic, the decision to build a dog-friendly concept, and how the couple built a loyal community.
The episode highlights Riley’s signature dishes — the Raleigh double Wagyu smash, a spicy black bean option, and the C...
Munching Around Milwaukee presents Saffron's Next Chapter.
On the “Munching Around Milwaukee” podcast, Host Charlie sits down with Fatima and Hanish Kumar, co-owners of Saffron Modern Indian Dining, to sample their modern Indian dishes.
They discuss their annual menu reinventions and community work, and reveal plans for aya, a larger Middle Eastern/Mediterranean-inspired restaurant opening in The Ascent in Q1 2026. A base of signa...
Host Charlie sits down with Maria Van Hoorn, Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, to discuss her rural Wisconsin upbringing, public service career, and efforts to promote tourism, culinary stories, and partnerships with local and tribal communities across the state.
The episode features a cooking segment where Charlie and Maria make clam linguine, share family and travel stories, and explore how food and events ...
Host Charlie sits down with Tony Snell-Rodriguez, Director of Community Engagement and Inclusion for Visit Milwaukee and chair of Milwaukee's Equal Rights Commission.
Tony shares his journey from the Navy towns of his childhood to advocacy, hospitality, and a new life in Milwaukee. He discusses his community work, promoting the city through conventions and sports, and the importance of authentic storytelling.
In the culinary part o...
Join a lively tour of the Milwaukee Public Market with host Charlie and Market Executive Director Paul Schwartz, showcasing the market’s vendors, food highlights, and community role. Discover popular vendors like St. Paul Fish Co., Fultz Family Market, Aladdin Middle Eastern Food, Freese’s Candy Shoppe, and unique spots such as the Wurst Bar and St Paul's Tiki Bar.
Learn how the Milwaukee Public Market earned national recognition ...
Live from Studio D, Charlie interviews Joe Poeschl, Executive Director of the Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition. They talk about his Milwaukee roots, dual degrees at Marquette and MIAD, and his work co-founding the Commons and growing the regional tech ecosystem.
They discuss the Coalition’s role in Wisconsin Tech Month, innovation districts, and building inclusive tech-powered economic growth across southeast Wisconsin. The episode hig...
Charlie meets Jen Hentz, Executive Director of the Urban Ecology Center, at the new Washington Park facility to tour the community garden, forage for fresh produce, and prepare BLTs in the community kitchen.
The episode highlights youth canoeing on the lagoon, summer free meals, volunteer-driven gardening, and the Center’s mission to connect Milwaukee residents to nature, education, and community.
Charlie sits down with Darnell Hamilton, Executive Director of Future Urban Leaders, to cook a hearty turkey chili while discussing Darnell's Chicago upbringing, his teaching career in Milwaukee, and the work his organization does to support young people through a long-term leadership pipeline.
The episode mixes cooking tips—turkey, sweet potato, black beans, peppers, jalapeño corn muffins, and a Hazy IPA base—with conversations ab...
Join Charlie and Lena DeLaet, director of sales for Summerfest and leader of Summerfest Tech, as they discuss Lena's journey from small-town Wisconsin to shaping Milwaukee's biggest events. Lena shares how Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. operates as a nonprofit, the evolution of Summerfest, and the community impact of Summerfest Tech.
In the cooking segment, they prepare a lighter Big Mac salad, demonstrating a tasty, customizable t...
Nepalese Momo Sauce with Steamed Dumplings and Carlos Mejia Interview. From Puerto Rico to Rockwell: Carlos talks about Service, STEM, and Momos.
Host Charlie chats with Carlos Mejia, a Rockwell Automation engineer named among "30 People Shaping Milwaukee's Future," about his Puerto Rican roots, military service, education, and years of mentoring youth in STEM and technical careers.
The episode closes with a lively cooking segmen...
Host Charlie sits down with Darryl Anderson, Executive Director of the ERAS Senior Network, to discuss his journey from Gary, Indiana, his nonprofit work serving older adults across Milwaukee and Waukesha counties, and the services ERAS provides to reduce isolation and support aging in place.
Along the way, they cook New Orleans–inspired catfish po'boys and dirty rice, mixing conversation about family, community programs, and susta...
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