Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders

Chilaquiles & Leadership: Luis Hernandez on Food, Sports, and Community

In this episode of Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, Host Charlie sits down with Luis Hernandez, Associate Athletic Director and Head of Strategic Communications at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, to discuss his journey from the southeast side of Chicago to leadership in sports communications. They talk about his career path, community work, and stories from Madison and Milwaukee.
 
You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/oPMsjOFOD4E 
 
The recipe is available on our website - https://cookingsecretsformen.com/2026/05/02/chilaquiles-authentic-mexican-comfort-food/ 
 
The episode features a hands-on cooking segment where Luis guides Charlie through making his mom’s chilaquiles rojos, finishing the dish with fried eggs, queso fresco, crema, and avocado—blending personal history with a simple, comforting recipe.2
 
“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.
 

Inside Thainamite: Milwaukee’s Best Massaman Curry & New Third Ward Concept

Join host Charlie at Thai-namite in Milwaukee as co-owner Kim shares the restaurant’s history and expansion plans while Chef Jimmy demonstrates their signature beef Massaman curry.
 
Watch the kitchen demo, learn cooking tips and ingredient choices, and get a preview of Thainamite’s new upscale-casual concept opening in Milwaukee's Third Ward.
 
You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/bTFnKV4rZ_U 
 
You can get the recipe here - You can see the recipe on our website here - https://cookingsecretsformen.com/2026/04/30/massaman-curry-with-beef-classic-thai-recipe/ 
 
“Local Chef Go International” podcast is part of the Milwaukee Podcast Network (https://milwaukeepodcastnetwork.com/).

From Mexico to Milwaukee: Oscar Sanchez's Birria Tacos & Entrepreneurial Story

In this episode of Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, host Charlie interviews Oscar Sanchez, founder and CEO of Ambrosia Events, about his journey from Mexico to Milwaukee, his culinary training and entrepreneurial ventures, and being honored on the Milwaukee Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list.
 
They then head to the kitchen, where Oscar demonstrates how to make traditional-style birria tacos, showing the preparation, slow-cooked beef, assembly with cheese, and serving with dipping juices, cilantro, and onions.
 
You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/CL0Zikl5VJU6
 
The recipe is available here - https://cookingsecretsformen.com/2026/04/27/birria-tacos-jalisco-style-instant-pot-version/ 
 
“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.

Twisted Plants: Milwaukee’s Vegan Comfort Food That Tastes Like the Real Thing

Munching Around Milwaukee Host Charlie visits Twisted Plants on Brady Street to talk with co-owner Brandon Hawthorne about how a food truck turned into two brick-and-mortar vegan restaurants. 
 
Brandon and his wife Arielle built the business after a health scare and focused on plant-based comfort food that looks and tastes like traditional favorites.
 
The episode highlights the menu favorites like the Up and Smoke and Pineapple Express burgers, popular appetizers such as cauliflower "boneless wings," the food truck’s event work, and the challenges of running a restaurant in today’s economy.
 
You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/SL2ine-ia-4 
 
Twisted Plants - https://www.twistedplants.com/ 
 
“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.

Chocolate Mousse & Community Service: Mary McCormick’s Rotary Farewell

In this episode of Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, Mary McCormick, outgoing Executive Director of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, reflects on 25 years of community projects, scholarships, and international service while preparing to retire in June. 
 
She discusses major local initiatives like Live at the Lakefront, the Centennial Arboretum, MKE Urban Stables, and Rotary’s work in Guatemala.
 
The episode also features a warm cooking segment where Mary shares a simple, elegant chocolate mousse recipe and enjoys it with host Charlie, combining conversation about civic leadership with a homemade dessert.
 
You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/bKcTbxvIdh0 
 
The recipe is available here - https://cookingsecretsformen.com/2026/04/22/chocolate-mousse-elegant-simple-and-delicious/ 
“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.

Milwaukee on the Rise: Michelin, James Beard & the Food Scene Shake-Up

Host Charlie sits down with Sophie Bollich, Urban Milwaukee’s dining writer, to discuss Milwaukee’s growing food scene, local favorites, and the city’s new inclusion in the Michelin Guide.
They cover Sophie’s background, James Beard nominations, rising restaurant concepts, food trucks, hidden gems, and what’s driving Milwaukee’s culinary momentum.
“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.