Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders

From Taco Bell to 10,000 Meals: Austin Vedder’s Fresh Chef Rise

On this episode of Munching Around Milwaukee, host Charlie sits down with chef Austin Vetter, founder of Fresh Chef Meal Prep and the newly opened Fresh Chef Cafe in West Allis. Austin discusses his weekly rotating menu, gluten-free options, and popular dishes like chicken marsala, loaded potato chili bowls, and cacio e pepe.
Austin explains how Fresh Chef works—no subscription, order weekly through an e-commerce platform, and delivery within a 75-mile radius—and shares how the business scaled from a few dozen meals a month to roughly 10,000 meals at peak. He also talks about the cafe’s weekday hours, retail pesto made with 100 Acre basil, and the team behind the operation.
Charlie and Austin touch on his personal journey from early kitchen jobs to working with local chefs and building Fresh Chef while balancing a busy family life. The episode highlights Austin’s focus on quality, consistency, and bringing restaurant-style meals to busy Milwaukee households.
You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/FdwaOQPxZLU 
This Podcast is part of the “Milwaukee Podcast Network”. “Munching Around Milwaukee” 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.

Buckley’s: Family Recipes and Downtown Charm

On the Munching Around Milwaukee podcast, host Charlie sits down with Britt Buckley of family-owned Buckley’s in downtown Milwaukee. They discuss the restaurant’s journey from a tiny kitchen to a larger dining space, the family-run operation, and the menu of American classics with global influences.
You can watch the full video here - https://youtu.be/y0JoXfYBOEw 
The episode highlights seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, Britt’s approach to menu changes and pasta, her mother and sister’s desserts, and how Milwaukee’s collaborative restaurant scene helped Buckley’s grow into a neighborhood favorite.
This Podcast is part of the Milwaukee Podcast Network. Munching Around Milwaukee 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.

From Pub Crawls to Pontoon Parties: Ian Abston Lights Up Milwaukee

On “Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, host Charlie cooks up Disney-shaped pancakes with Ian Abston, co-founder of Light the Hoan, Forward 48, and NEWaukee. They discuss Ian's journey from Elkhart Lake to Milwaukee, the creation of community events like Light the Hoan, and his work connecting young leaders across Wisconsin.
The episode blends local storytelling with a family-friendly cooking segment featuring bacon, fresh fruit, and kid-approved Mickey Mouse pancakes. Ian’s 5-year-old son, Bo, joins the fun and has Mickey Mouse pancakes too.
You can see the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/9Mkq-vFMZLs 
You can get the recipe on our website here - https://cookingsecretsformen.com/2025/11/24/mickey-mouse-pancakes-and-light-the-hoan/ 
“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 a short 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.

Riley’s Rise: From Pandemic Pop-Up to Milwaukee’s Dog-Friendly Food Hub

Munching Around Milwaukee host Charlie chats with John Ludwig, co-owner of Riley’s, about launching Riley Sandwich Company, Riley Social House, and Riley Bar + Burger across Milwaukee. They discuss opening during the pandemic, the decision to build a dog-friendly concept, and how the couple built a loyal community.
The episode highlights Riley’s signature dishes — the Raleigh double Wagyu smash, a spicy black bean option, and the Cali-style steak burrito with fries — as well as their commitment to fresh ingredients, collaboration with local businesses, and plans for future growth.
You can watch the full video here - https://youtu.be/y0JoXfYBOEw 
This Podcast is part of the “Milwaukee Podcast Network”. “Munching Around Milwaukee” 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.

Saffron's Next Chapter: A Taste of Aya Coming to The Ascent

Munching Around Milwaukee presents Saffron's Next Chapter. 
On the “Munching Around Milwaukee” podcast, Host Charlie sits down with Fatima and Hanish Kumar, co-owners of Saffron Modern Indian Dining, to sample their modern Indian dishes.
They discuss their annual menu reinventions and community work, and reveal plans for aya, a larger Middle Eastern/Mediterranean-inspired restaurant opening in The Ascent in Q1 2026. A base of signature dishes forms the foundation of the menu at Saffron, in addition to a rotating selection of appetizers and seasonal dishes.
The menu reflects a commitment to both local sourcing and high-quality, locally butchered proteins. Thanks to a kitchen filled with chefs from various regions in India, the menu will also represent a variety of flavor profiles, including some not currently found in Milwaukee.
You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/vpMbwWt7AZQ
Saffron website - https://saffronmke.com/
This Podcast is part of the Milwaukee Podcast Network. Munching Around Milwaukee 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.

From Farmland to Travel Wisconsin: Maria Van Hoorn on Food, Tourism, and Community

Host Charlie sits down with Maria Van Hoorn, Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, to discuss her rural Wisconsin upbringing, public service career, and efforts to promote tourism, culinary stories, and partnerships with local and tribal communities across the state.
The episode features a cooking segment where Charlie and Maria make clam linguine, share family and travel stories, and explore how food and events help drive economic development and community connections in Wisconsin.
You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/wai1nhg809s 
The recipe is available on our website at - https://cookingsecretsformen.com/2025/11/10/clam-linguine-or-linguine-alle-vongole/ 
"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 a short 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.