Each week on Radio Milwaukee, Milwaukee Magazine dining critic Ann Christenson and 88Nine’s resident foodie Tarik Moody discuss Milwaukee’s culinary and restaurant culture on This Bites.
In this week's episode of This Bites, Ann and I talked about how some amazing Milwaukeeans are helping others in these difficult times, a craft beer-drive thru, restaurants selling groceries, a new website to purchase gift cards from local businesses and more. We also share what each of has been cooking in our isolation.
There is a lot of fear and uncertainty in the world right now and it is easy to sink into a dark place. And to be honest, I have been in some of those dark places. Then you see amazing Milwaukeeans stepping up and helping people out in need. There are others who are doing some innovative and creative things to support local businesses. These individuals and local businesses are doing their part to make sure those dark places are full of light.
Caitlin Cullen of The Tandem not only deserves a James Beard Humanitarian of the Year Award, but she and the rest of the folks at The Tandem deserve a parade once all this craziness is over. She stopped regular operations of her restaurant to focus on cooking and feeding people in need. So far, Caitlin and her staff have served hundreds of free community meals. She has been collecting donations via The Tandem's website to keep the operation going.
And speaking of donations, one attorney by the name of C.J. Krawcyzk stepped up in a big way by raising over $25,000 from his birthday fundraiser to support local restaurants. The fundraiser called Save Our Spots (S.O.S) was temporarily shut down by GoFundMe because the donations were coming in so fast that they stopped it so they could verify the account.
That didn't stop C.J. and his wife, Julie. The couple took $15,000 out of their personal account and donated it to six local restaurants. Each restaurant received a $2,500 check, The Tandem. The other restaurants included Bavette la Boucherie, GoodKind, Three Brothers, Ca'Lucchenzo, Pilcrow and Interval. Just writing this is making my eyes water. By the way, GoFundMe has reinstated the fundraiser.
This beauty in spirit and kindness doesn't stop there. New Barons Brewing found a way to support some of their fellow local breweries by hosting " Beer Drive-Thru."
The "Beer Drive-Thru" will take place on March 28 from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. at 3807 S. Packard Ave. in St. Francis.
From the Facebook event page:
To support the growing MKE craft beer community during this tough time when bars, taprooms, and breweries are unable to be open. Many are reporting an 80% to complete loss in sales over these next few weeks and we’ve been discussing ways to support each other during this period. Luckily, in the beer industry, we have pre-packaged product that is manufactured with the most professional level of sanitation and we are employing new ways to deliver it to you as safely as possible! The state of Wisconsin has approved our “Beer Drive-Thru” as an alternative to visiting our taprooms and events during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
We’ll be setting up a Drive-Thru in the parking lot of co-host and member-owner, Faklandia Brewing that will allow people to stay in their cars to purchase and receive six-packs of cans and/or bottles.
PARTICIPATING BREWERIES INCLUDE:
New Barons Brewing Cooperative, MobCraft Beer, Broken Bat Brewing Company, The Fermentorium Brewery & Tasting Room, The Explorium Brewpub & Gathering Place Brewing Company. More will be added once confirmed!
And they will be taking proper precautions taken in the exchange of money and good, which they explain on the Facebook event page.
Gift card guide supporting local businesses
The parent company of the Journal Sentinel recently launch a gift card guide to support local businesses. There are over 70 Milwaukee businesses listed on the site.
Vegan spot Maya Ophelia's offering delivery
Maya Ophelia have announced they will be offering no contact delivery. You must call 262-409-0795 to place an order. Here are their hours:
Monday 3-8 p.m.
Tuesday 3-8 p.m. ( #trapwraptuesday is back!)
Sunday 11 a.m - 3 p.m.
Braise offers grocery essentials
Milwaukee's Braise is not only doing take-out and curbside pickup, they are also offering some grocery staples like eggs from Yuppie Hill Poultry, Sassy Cow milk, Sorghum, ground beef and buffalo and more. Below is the full list of offerings
And finally, if you are thinking of ways to spend some time, how about making a cookbook for yourself and friends? MyCookbook.io does just that by taking your favorite online recipes and converting it into a cookbook that you can get printed or share with friends and family via a PDF.
