Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders

Charlie DeSando
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  • FOOD
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders is an interview and cooking show where we talk about our guests’ 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.

  1. From Filipino Roots to Sanford’s Table: Chef Josh Mendiola’s Milwaukee Story

    1D AGO

    From Filipino Roots to Sanford’s Table: Chef Josh Mendiola’s Milwaukee Story

    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” 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 some of the best food Milwaukee has to offer. Join us each week as we Munch Around Milwaukee.

    29 min

  2. 6D AGO

    From Trinidad to Milwaukee: Frank Cumberbatch on Community, Philanthropy, and Cajun Meatloaf

    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 is an Interview and cooking show with Milwaukee Community Leaders. We have an interview about their work in the community, then we cook something, and then we eat it. From our elected leaders to those working at the grassroots, we talk with people trying to make Milwaukee a better place.

    31 min
  3. From St. Lucia to the St Kate: Chef Kess' Culinary Journey to the St. Kate

    FEB 13

    From St. Lucia to the St Kate: Chef Kess' Culinary Journey to the St. Kate

    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, multiple kitchens, and a hospitality-driven team culture within the Marcus Corporation family of properties. His recipes for Cajun-style gumbo and Caribbean red snapper are featured in the Visit Milwaukee "Milwaukee Flavor Cookbook." St Kate the Arts Hotel - https://www.saintkatearts.com/  “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 some of the best food Milwaukee has to offer. Join us each week as we Munch Around Milwaukee.

    27 min
  4. Maxie's Makeover: Chef Joe Mensch Unveils New Southern Bites

    FEB 8

    Maxie's Makeover: Chef Joe Mensch Unveils New Southern Bites

    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  Black Shoe Hospitality - https://www.blackshoehospitality.com/ Maxie's Milwaukee - https://www.maxiesmke.com/ Blue's Egg - https://www.bluesegg.com/ Story Hill BKC - https://www.storyhillbkc.com/  “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 some of the best food Milwaukee has to offer. Join us each week as we Munch Around Milwaukee.

    33 min

  5. JAN 31

    Mastering Venezuelan Arepas with Chef Greg Leon at Amilinda

    Mastering Venezuelan Arepas with Chef Greg Leon at Amilinda   Charlie visits Chef-owner Gregory Leon at Amilinda Restaurant (https://amilinda.com/) for the International Cooking Collab featuring Venezuelan cuisine. Greg shares his Venezuelan roots and guides the making of classic arepas and a shredded beef (carne mechada) filling.   The episode covers mixing arepa dough from white cornmeal, cooking on a griddle and finishing in the oven, and preparing the savory beef filling with peppers, onions, tomatoes, and spices. They taste the finished arepas and discuss Venezuelan food traditions and variations.   Recipe details and collaborator links are in the description; join next month's episode exploring Japan.   You can watch the YouTube Video here - https://youtu.be/QWa5zHSmpJ8     A Global Feast, Crafted Locally Milwaukee’s culinary scene is brimming with talent, creativity, and heart. Each month, we will invite one of the city’s finest chefs. They will showcase flavors from around the world, right here at home. The bustling street food of Caracas introduces a vibrant experience. The comforting stews of Europe offer warmth and tradition. Every event is a passport to new tastes and traditions. This monthly series celebrates cultural exchange through food, highlighting how local chefs interpret international dishes with their own unique flair. You could be a seasoned foodie. You might be simply curious to try something new. In either case, you’ll discover that Milwaukee’s kitchens are as global as they are local. Join us for an unforgettable combination of flavor, storytelling, and community—because the best way to travel the world is one bite at a time.

    24 min

  6. JAN 18

    Red Beet Deviled Eggs with Red Cross WI CEO Cat Rabenstine

    On Munching Around Milwaukee, host Charlie sits down with Catherine "Cat" Rabenstine, the new CEO of the American Red Cross in Wisconsin.   They discuss her journey from Pennsylvania to leadership roles in Chicago and Milwaukee, the Red Cross's disaster response work (including recent Milwaukee flooding), and the power of volunteers and community support.   The episode also features a hands-on cooking segment where Cat prepares Pennsylvania Dutch red beet deviled eggs, a simple recipe that highlights food as a way to comfort and bring people together.   You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/kKoe-00teVI    “Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders” is part of the "Milwaukee Podcast Network." This show is an Interview and cooking show with Milwaukee Community Leaders.   We have an interview about their work in the community, then we cook something, and then we eat it. From our elected leaders to those working at the grassroots, we talk with people trying to make Milwaukee a better place.

    25 min

  7. JAN 16

    Sala: 25 Years of Sicilian Flavor on Milwaukee’s East Side

    Munching Around Milwaukee host Charlie sits down with Teresa Balistreri-Warsh, co-owner of Sala - Modern Sicilian Dining on Milwaukee’s east side, to celebrate the restaurant’s 25th anniversary and share the story behind its Sicilian-inspired menu.   They discuss family recipes like the signature sugo and meatball sauce, the addition of pizza, and the role of seasonal specials and art in the dining room.   The conversation covers Sala’s neighborhood roots, the early days of converting a coffeehouse space, outdoor dining innovations, and how the restaurant adapted with carryout and community support during the pandemic. The episode highlights Sala’s balance of tradition and modern touches and invites listeners to experience the food and atmosphere for themselves.   Sala - Modern Sicilian Dining - https://saladining.com/    You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/32k7OsHaFsM    “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 some of the best food Milwaukee has to offer. Join us each week as we Munch Around Milwaukee.

    30 min

  8. JAN 13

    Stella Strong: A Mother's Promise and Milwaukee’s Purple Dragon Playground

    On this week’s episode of Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, host Charlie interviews community leader Theresa “Rese” Schneider about her nonprofit background and work in Milwaukee, including her time at Discovery World.   Teresa shares the emotional story of her daughter Stella’s cancer diagnosis and recovery, and how that inspired her promise to build an inclusive Stella’s Playground at Reservoir Park. The community-driven project has raised over $1 million toward a $2 million goal and will feature a purple dragon-themed play area, pavilion, basketball court, art elements, and accessible spaces for all ages.   The episode closes with a kitchen segment where Rese demonstrates an easy red lentil soup, and viewers are directed to the episode description for a link to support Stella’s Playground.   You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/IgquergbfQg    You can find the recipe on our website -   “Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders” is part of the "Milwaukee Podcast Network." This show is an Interview and cooking show with Milwaukee Community Leaders.   We have an interview about their work in the community, then we cook something, and then we eat it. From our elected leaders to those working at the grassroots, we talk with people trying to make Milwaukee a better place.

    30 min
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Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders is an interview and cooking show where we talk about our guests’ 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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