Each week on This Bites, dining critic Ann Christenson from Milwaukee Magazine and Radio Milwaukee’s resident foodie Tarik Moody dig into the city’s culinary and restaurant culture to help you find new spots, old favorites and the best ingestibles around Milwaukee.
During its 20-season run, Bravo’s Top Chef hasn’t shown too much love to the Midwest. There was Chicago in season four and … well, that’s it. Or at least that WAS it until this week, when the show announced Wisconsin as its filming location for season 21.
That was the first — and most important — piece of Midwest news, with Top Chef also revealing that the Korean-born and Michigan-raised Kristen Kish (who won the season 10 competition back in 2013) will take over as host from Padma Lakshmi. We’re obviously more excited about the Wisconsin of it all, which is where we start this week’s episode.
Details are pretty tough to come by right now, although we do know that the “cheftestants” will go through Quickfire and Elimination Challenges in Milwaukee and Madison. Besides that, Jo Sharon and Casey Kriley — co-CEOs of the company that produces Top Chef — had some nice things to say in a release: “We look forward to Season 21 and know our incoming chefs will be inspired by the burgeoning culinary scene in Milwaukee and Madison known for blending tradition with innovation and utilizing farm-fresh ingredients.”
Bravo had its own glowing statement to share: “With a backdrop of picturesque landscapes, acres of farmland, miles of shoreline and vibrant urban communities, the cheftestants will explore the fresh flavors and local bounty of this rising culinary destination.”
Nice to see the TV folks catching on to what we’ve been saying on this podcast for quite a while now. The rest of this episode is a good example, as we take our usual trip around the area’s culinary scene:
- Palomino will host a Peach Social on July 22 featuring Georgia’s famous produce added to BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, cornbread, cocktails and more.
- More of the world’s most famous food TV talent will be at this year’s Kohler Food & Wine Festival, including Martha Stewart.
- Gray Jett Cafe will dish out vegan and vegetarian mealson the Marquette campus starting this August.
- A new steakhouse is coming to Cathedral Square, courtesy of Electric Lime owner Jessica Orr.
As this is Milwaukee’s longest-running culinary podcast, I’m not really sure what number season this is, but I am glad you found us. Be sure to share with a friend, and drop a rating or review wherever you listen. Thanks.
