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

May 30, 2026
May 30, 2026
17 min
Join Charlie and guest Julia Child as they take you through coq au vin, a classic French chicken braised in red wine. This episode of International YouTube Club highlights France and walks viewers through a comforting, flavorful recipe.
The hosts season and brown the chicken in bacon fat, sauté the pearl onions and mushrooms, flame the cognac, then add red wine, beef stock, thyme, bay leaves, and tomato paste. The sauce is finished with a butter-and-flour thickener, combined with the braised chicken, and served with the mushrooms and onions.
You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/CnY8K6aJmq4
You can find the recipe here - https://cookingsecretsformen.com/2026/05/30/coq-au-vin-with-charlie-julia-child/
“Local Chef Go International” podcast is part of the Milwaukee Podcast Network (https://milwaukeepodcastnetwork.com/).

May 28, 2026
May 28, 2026
25 min
On Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, host Charlie talks with Marian Jimenez, a BMO Harris treasury consultant and Latino community advocate. Marian shares her journey from the Dominican Republic to Canada and Milwaukee, and discusses her work advancing diversity, mentoring employees, and supporting small businesses. That work earned her a spot on the Milwaukee Business Journal 40 Under 40 list.
In the kitchen, she prepares mangú (green plantains) with fried Dominican salami, fried cheese, and fried eggs—Los Tres Golpes—sharing family memories, practical cooking tips, and how food connects to community and culture.
You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/5ROdatiVZNI
You can get Marian's recipe for Mangu here - https://cookingsecretsformen.com/2026/05/29/mangu-iconic-dominican-recipe/
“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.

May 24, 2026
May 24, 2026
31 min
On this episode of Munching Around Milwaukee, host Charlie chats with Sam Wisneski, co-owner of Chillwaukee, a Milwaukee-based bicycle-powered popsicle and shaved ice business. They discuss Sam’s entrepreneurial beginnings, how he and his wife bought Chillwaukee, and the company’s community-focused, vegan-friendly menu.
The episode features a lively Riverwalk pop-up where they give away free popsicles, meet local customers, and highlight Chilwaukee’s busy seasonal schedule of festivals, farmers markets, and catering events. https://chillwaukee.com/
You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/JHtC2kzOqUc
“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.

May 19, 2026
May 19, 2026
33 min
On Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, host Charlie sits down with Terrell Morgan, aka Ego the Artist, to discuss his journey from Milwaukee's 53206 neighborhood to becoming a renowned community artist and mentor. They cover his murals, work with local festivals and schools, and explore the creative drive behind his activism.
Joined by Ego in the studio kitchen, they cook Tuscan lamb chops with garlic, Parmesan Garlic Potatoes, and asparagus, blending artful storytelling with a delicious meal.
You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/NNZnn7NKZXM
You can find the recipe on our recipe website here - https://cookingsecretsformen.com/2026/05/24/tuscan-lamb-chops-and-garlic-parmesan-potatoes/
“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.

May 14, 2026
May 14, 2026
32 min
On Munching Around Milwaukee, host Charlie visits Bayview’s Heirloom Restaurant to talk with co-owners Jess and chef Pete Ignatiev. They discuss their farm-to-table restaurant and popular food truck. They discuss seasonal menus, local farm partnerships, and their signature house-made burrata.
In the kitchen, Chef Pete shows step-by-step how he makes Heirloom's signature burrata from scratch. Fresh mozzarella curds are washed twice, filled with a ricotta/cream mixture, and served over a bed of arugula, with strawberries, pistachios, and much, much more.
The episode covers the couple’s path from a food truck during the pandemic to opening a restaurant, overcoming a truck fire, and why their rotating seasonal dishes and community connections make Heirloom a Milwaukee favorite. https://www.heirloommke.com/
You can see the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/XDtWgiZDXmw
“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.

May 12, 2026
May 12, 2026
29 min
Live from Studio D, host Charlie chats with Shary Pérez, Community Health and Research Director at United Community Center, and Milwaukee Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree. They discuss Shary’s journey from Puerto Rico to a public health career in Milwaukee and her community-engaged research work at UCC.
In the kitchen, Shary prepares Puerto Rican party favorites: sandwichitos de mezcla (Spam, Cheese Whiz, cream cheese, and roasted peppers) and a Puerto Rican potato salad with apples and a touch of mustard. The episode blends local leadership, culture, and comforting recipes.
You can watch the YouTube video here - https://youtu.be/ZSEIPBuMoJM
You can find the recipes on our website here - https://cookingsecretsformen.com/2026/05/14/sandwichitos-de-mezcla-puerto-rican-potato-salad/
“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.

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/







