November 10, 2024
2:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Exclusive VIP Reception 2:00-3:00 PM, Enjoy until 7:00 PM
Milwaukee Athletic Club, 758 N. Broadway
Attire Black Tie & African Inspired Gowns
Flavors of Africa & Diaspora: Best Chefs Wisconsin will offer an immersive high-end experience highlighting the diverse elements of African culture and cuisine.
Guests will enjoy tastings, performances and an opportunity to cast votes for their favorite traditional & non-traditional African dishes.
Proceeds from the event benefit LBGTQ-Pride United, Alice's Garden, Milwaukee African Women-Refugees
highlights of the evening will include:
culinary safari tasting experience
Showcasing the similarities and contrasts between traditional tribal African cuisine and modern takes on African cuisine created by talented local chefs.
Food catered by African Caterer Irie Zulu & Afro Fusion Cuisine
best chefs wisconsin competition
Featuring dishes from acclaimed chefs from Milwaukee and Madison along with nationally renowned celebrity judges.
keynote address
By Michael Twitty, African American writer, culinary historian, educator and James Beard Award winning author of “The Cooking Gene”.
entertainment
Including never before seen dance and cultural performances from Nigeria, Cameroon and and Senegal.
Music by DJ Leo Neo
EVENT DECOR BY
lineup for the evening
VIP RECEPTION, 2:00-3:00 PM
Exclusive VIP only reception with live performances, fine cuisine, Award Nominated Restaurants and chefs networking.
Words of Welcome by Yollande
Heavy Elegant Appetizer
Curated Signature Event Drinks by James Beard Restaurants
Musical Performance by Ben Mulwana
Local Recording Artist, Native of East Africa (Full Hour)
African Tap Dance Duo by Patte Nassalang & Dance Works
Senegal & USA (10 mins)
*schedule subject to change
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Participating Restaurants:
The Diplomat
EsterEv
Morel
Birch
Amilinda
Lupi & Iris
Sanford
Ardent
Goodkind - Signature beverage by the one and only Katie Rose infusing African flavors
Flour Girl & Flame
The American Club
Bavette
CocoVaa - Madison
Fairchild - Madison (still confirming)
Room Service
Ahan - Madison (still confirming)
Irie Zulu - Collective of authentic small plates & dishes
Ethica Wines
Resident Pastry Chef to the Stars – Nick Hoover
Valentines Coffee
GALA + COMPETITON, 3:00-7:00 PM
General admission experience. Chefs experiences, live performances, masquerades, chef networking and fine cuisine.
Welcome to General Admission Guests
Words from Officials
Mayor, County Executive, Governor
Keynote Michael Twitty
Queen of Africa Fashion Walk
Dinner Open, 4:00 PM
Cameroonian Masquerade, 5:00 PM
Awards Announcement, 6:00 PM
Best Rising Star Chef, Best Dish by a Classically Trained Chef, Peoples' & Judges' Choice
Nigerian Masquerade, 6:30 PM
Dance & Flow, 6:45-7:00 PM
DJ Neo
*schedule subject to change
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Participating Restaurants:
Vanessa Rose – Mothers’ & House of Bridges Collective
Saffron - Milwaukee
Indulgence Chocolatier - Milwaukee
Brasserie Margaux - Brookfield
Buckleys - Milwaukee
La Dama - Milwaukee
Wolf on Broadway - Milwaukee
Heavens Table BBQ - Wauwatosa
Night Wolf - Milwaukee
Ono Kine Grindz - Wauwatosa
Hometown Sausage Kitchen - East Troy
Pasta Tree - Milwaukee
Les Delices de Awa African Cuisine - Madison
DairyLand - Kurt Fogle - Wisconsin
Immy’s African Cuisine - Milwaukee
Frankies African Cuisine - Milwaukee
Blue Star - Somalia Cuisine - Milwaukee
Flavor of Nigeria - Washington DC
Moss Doli – Senegalese Cuisine - Milwaukee & Madison
Casablanca - Madison
Taste of Cameroon BBQ/Suya - Chicago
Lazy Suzan - Chef AJ Dixon & Chef Nell Benton
Upper Yard Jamaican Cuisine – Milwaukee
Vegan Soulfood - Milwaukee
best chefs wisconsin competition
For the first time in the State of Wisconsin, 40 respected and critically acclaimed chefs, restaurateurs, bartenders and food artisans will take on the challenge of immersing themselves in an eight-week high-impact learning experience called the Ubuntu Perspectives Residency.
During the residency, chefs will participate in a series of Immersive Workshops that will include roundtable discussions, field trips and site visits focused on education and community dialogue regarding diversity, equity and inclusion; matters relating to the LGBTQ+ community; cultural sensitivity; food literacy, the Good Food Movement, community building, food as health and more.
These workshops are also open to the general public.
View the complete list of workshops here.
During the Best Chefs Wisconsin Competition, they will create innovative dishes that incorporate both elements of their residency experience along with flavors from Afro Fusion Cuisine. Their dishes will be judged on the basis of flavor, presentation, cultural relevance and evidence of forward thinking.
Prizes Awarded in Five Categories:
Best Rising Star Chef
Competitors include: Kristin Schwab (Wolf on Broadway); Zach Panoske (Bavette/ Sinta); Abhishek/ Kumar (Saffon); John Levine (Coco Seafood & Steak); Elijah Loebbaka (Night Wolf); Still being confirmed are Val Bartram (EsterEv); Sam EK (Odd Duck)
Best Technically Executed Dish
Non-African & Diaspora
Peoples’ & Judges' Choice
All Restaurants
Best Beacon of Diversity Restaurant
Best Humanitarian Chef
National Guest Chefs & Judges
Best Rising Chef Star & Best Technically Executed Dish:
Pierre Thiam – New York City, James Beard Hall of Fame
Michael Twitty – Washington DC, Author and James Beard Winner
Eduardo Jordan – Seattle/ Washington, James Beard Winner
Local Judges
Peoples' & Judges' Choice Award, Best Beacon of Diversity Restaurant, Best Humanitarian Chef:
Shary Tran – Generac Diversity Inclusion Leader, ElevAsian Co-founder, Foodie
Derek Mosley – Marquette University, Law School, Foodie
Rick Rodriguez – USBANK, Community Leader, Foodie
Micah Oge – Pride United Co-Chair, Community Leader & Foodie
Tarik Moodie – HYFN Executive Director, Foodie
sponsorship opportunities
This Culinary Safari showcase is preceded by eight (8) culturally immersive workshops and a press conference covering topics including diversity, inclusion, food access and health.
Sponsorships are available for both the gala and the workshops. Bronze Sponsorship starts at $2000 (for one workshop) with Signature Presenting Sponsor for the gala at $40,000.
Ubuntu MKE is part of Yollande's charitable organization, the Milwaukee African Women Association, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and serves as the fiscal agent.
flavors of africa & diaspora november 10
gala sponsorship levels
Signature Presenting Sponsor - $40,000
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Full Page Coverage in Event Booklet
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TV, Radio, Website logo and mention in all PR Kits and interviews
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Priority Announcement at all 11 events (Workshops and Gala) in Milwaukee and Madison
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Standing Banner at all Workshops
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Standing banner in VIP Area on Nov 10
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10 VIP Tickets, 5 General Admission Tickets & 5 Late Arrival Tickets
Platinum Sponsor - $25,000
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1/2 Page Coverage in Event Booklet
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TV, Radio, Website logo and mention in all PR Kits and interviews
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Announcement at the Gala Nov 10
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Standing banner in VIP Area on Nov 10
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5 VIP Tickets, 5 General Admission Tickets & 5 Late Arrival Tickets
Gold Sponsor - $10,000
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1/3 Page Coverage in Event Booklet
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TV, Radio, Website logo and mention in all PR Kits
-
Announcement at the Gala Nov 10
-
Standing banner in VIP Area on Nov 10
-
5 General Admission Tickets & 5 Late Arrival Tickets
Silver Sponsor - $5,000
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1/4 Page Coverage in Event Booklet
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TV, Radio, Website logo and mention in all PR Kits and interviews
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Announcement at the Gala Nov 10
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2 General Admission Tickets & 3 Late Arrival Tickets
Value Chef - $1,500
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Social Media Post
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Website
Additional Immersion Workshops Sponsorships available. See Sponsorship packet for more information.
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