Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders
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.
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.
Episodes

49 minutes ago
Steak, Collards & Community: Cooking with Scott Marshall
49 minutes ago
49 minutes ago
23 min
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 Community Leaders” is part of the Milwaukee Podcast Network - https://milwaukeepodcastnetwork.com/. 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 working to make Milwaukee a better place.
49 minutes ago
23 min
5 days ago
5 days ago
25 min
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), family involvement, and the challenges and rewards of running a beloved Milwaukee institution since 1999.
You can watch the YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/mame8LPVoTQ
“Munching Around Milwaukee” is part of the Milwaukee Podcast Network - https://milwaukeepodcastnetwork.com/. 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.
5 days ago
25 min

Oct 7, 2026
Oct 7, 2026
19 min
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 Catfish Loaded Fries while discussing the impact on Milwaukee’s neighborhoods.
You can watch the YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/vdjfWRWzwnc
“Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders” is part of the Milwaukee Podcast Network - https://milwaukeepodcastnetwork.com/. 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.
Oct 7, 2026
19 min

Sep 26, 2026
Sep 26, 2026
15 min
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 find the recipe here: https://cookingsecretsformen.com/2026/09/25/doner-kebab-germanys-1-street-food/
“Local Chef Go International” podcast is part of the Milwaukee Podcast Network - https://milwaukeepodcastnetwork.com/. Local Chefs Go International: Charlie teams up with top local Milwaukee Chefs each month to create recipes from a single chosen country.
Sep 26, 2026
15 min

Aug 29, 2026
Aug 29, 2026
23 min
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: https://cookingsecretsformen.com/2026/08/29/nigerian-comfort-food-jollof-rice-egusi-soup-and-fufu/
Taste of Africa: https://tasteofafricawi.com/
“Local Chef Go International” podcast is part of the Milwaukee Podcast Network - https://milwaukeepodcastnetwork.com/.
Local Chefs Go International: Charlie teams up with top local Milwaukee Chefs each month to create recipes from a single chosen country.
Aug 29, 2026
23 min

Aug 21, 2026
Aug 21, 2026
29 min
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 with Milwaukee Community Leaders” is part of the Milwaukee Podcast Network - https://milwaukeepodcastnetwork.com/. 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.
Aug 21, 2026
29 min

About Charlie DeSando
I grew up in a restaurant family. We love to cook and be creative, and cooking in many ways is the most creative thing I do. I started this podcast to share our creations and inspire novice cooks out there to have fun in the kitchen, and maybe even learn something along the way.
My YouTube Channel:
https://youtube.com/cookingsecretsformen/
My Website:
https://cookingsecretsformen.com/







