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

Saturday Mar 28, 2026
Wiener Schnitzel at Kegel's: Milwaukee Meets Austria
Saturday Mar 28, 2026
Saturday Mar 28, 2026
Welcome to another International YouTube Club episode of Local Chefs Go International. Host Charlie visits Kegel's Inn in Milwaukee to explore Austrian/Bavarian cuisine with co-owner Stephanie Kegel.
Stephanie shares her background and the restaurant's history, then demonstrates how to make a classic Wiener Schnitzel—veal pounded thin, breaded, and fried in clarified butter—offering serving tips and tasting the finished dish.
You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/0VLhM8hdrBY
Kegel's Inn Milwaukee - https://kegelsinn.com/
Visit Milwaukee Cookbook - https://www.visitmilwaukee.org/food-drink/milwaukee-cookbook
“Local Chef Go International” podcast is part of the Milwaukee Podcast Network.

Tuesday Mar 03, 2026
Mastering Sushi at Kawa: California & Dragon Roll Secrets
Tuesday Mar 03, 2026
Tuesday Mar 03, 2026
Hi, and welcome to another episode of Local Chefs Go International. This monthly podcast showcases a different country each month. This month, we are in Japan, and we visit Kawa Ramen & Sushi in Milwaukee to explore Japanese sushi making.
Master Sushi Chef Mars demonstrates how to make California rolls, dragon rolls with eel, and nigiri like salmon and yellowtail, sharing tips on rice, knife skills, and sauces.
Host Charlie tastes the creations and discusses Kawa’s locations and their upcoming new concept, Miyaki, celebrating Milwaukee’s vibrant Japanese food scene. Co-owner Selina Zheng joins Charlie for the taste test.
Watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/UUZ-pKfEJ90

Thursday Feb 26, 2026
From Cockpits to Community: Joseph Addison’s Mission in Milwaukee
Thursday Feb 26, 2026
Thursday Feb 26, 2026
On Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, host Charlie interviews Joseph Addison, President of 100 Black Men of Greater Milwaukee. They talk about his Pensacola, FL roots, military family values, and his pathway to Milwaukee.
Joseph explains how his chapter of 100 Black Men focuses on mentoring youth, promoting education, health and wellness, and economic empowerment for the African-American community and the city at large.
He describes programs like the Rising Leaders Academy, partnerships with Big Brothers Big Sisters, an aviation camp, and efforts to build relationships with law enforcement and first responders.
You can watch the YouTube Video here - https://youtu.be/91H8VWSTEM0
“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 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.
The episode closes with a cooking segment where Joseph makes a quick rigatoni with chicken apple brats and vodka sauce, illustrating practical, family-friendly meals alongside community leadership.

Monday Feb 23, 2026
From Filipino Roots to Sanford’s Table: Chef Josh Mendiola’s Milwaukee Story
Monday Feb 23, 2026
Monday Feb 23, 2026
On Munching Around Milwaukee, host Charlie sits down with Josh Mendiola, chef de cuisine at Sanford in downtown Milwaukee, to explore his culinary journey from the Philippines to leading the kitchen at one of the city’s top restaurants.
The episode highlights Josh’s signature dishes (a beef kofta and Filipino okoy), his mentors and influences, Sanford’s menus and dining experience, and his work with community programs and chef collaborations.
You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/ALl9XNN5mo0
“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.

Wednesday Feb 18, 2026
Wednesday Feb 18, 2026
On this episode of Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, Frank Cumberbatch shares his journey from Trinidad to Milwaukee and his decades-long career in public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
Frank talks about his work as VP of Engagement at Bader Philanthropies, focusing on community-driven development and inclusive decision-making.
The episode closes with a lighthearted kitchen segment where Frank and host Charlie prepare a spicy Cajun meatloaf and a king cake for Mardi Gras, highlighting how food and conversation bring neighbors together.
“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 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.

Friday Feb 13, 2026
From St. Lucia to the St Kate: Chef Kess' Culinary Journey to the St. Kate
Friday Feb 13, 2026
Friday Feb 13, 2026
On Munching Around Milwaukee, Host Charlie talks with Chef Heskeith "Kess" Flavien, (you can see the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/7KLr_mz8aBE ), executive chef at St. Kate the Arts Hotel in downtown Milwaukee. Kess discusses his journey from St. Lucia to Louisiana culinary school and through local restaurants to his role leading multiple dining outlets at St. Kate, including a new sushi program and seasonal menus.
The episode highlights menu favorites like the Fiesta Fire roll and other sushi offerings among the many menu entrees. They also explore how Kess manages large banquets, multiple kitchens, and a hospitality-driven team culture within the Marcus Corporation family of properties.
His recipes for Cajun-style gumbo and Caribbean red snapper are featured in the Visit Milwaukee "Milwaukee Flavor Cookbook."
St Kate the Arts Hotel - https://www.saintkatearts.com/
“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.

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/







