The Return of Milwaukee Dumpling Fest
More than a dozen chefs and restaurants set to participate in fourth annual fest.
Dumplings from Lucky Ginger. Photo by Cari Taylor-Carlson.
Empanada, pierogi, shumai, momo — any and all combinations of filling and dough are welcome at Milwaukee Dumpling Fest, which returns June 28 for its fourth year.
ElevAsian and Visit Milwaukee sponsor the annual event, which brings together local chefs to riff on the humble — and highly versatile — dumpling for a chance to win the coveted Golden Gyoza trophy.
“Every culture has a form of dumpling,” ElevAsian said in an online statement. “Whether it’s steamed, fried, boiled or baked — if it’s a delicious filling wrapped in dough, we are celebrating it.”
This year’s festival will take place at a new venue, Prairie Springs on Park, 1420 E. Park Pl., with participants including chef Alex Lyskowicz, Amilinda, The Bartolotta Restaurants, Benson’s Restaurant Group, Chao’s Kitchen, Cute Robot Japanese Kitchen, EsterEv, Lucky Ginger, Mezcla Fusion Revolution, Mosaic Catering, Noble Catering, Phat Dumpling, Saffron, Semolina MKE, Serious Sanji and Sinta.
The lineup represents a broad range of global cuisines, spanning Japanese, Italian, Indonesian, Iberian, Indian, Filipino, Thai, Chinese and Mexican fusion.
The final roster is subject to change. Adam Pawlak will return as emcee.
In addition to downing unlimited dumpling samples, guests can expect all-day giveaways and a marketplace featuring drink and dessert vendors such as Qtie Bakes Cakery, Ube MKE, Sweets By P, Bon Bon Shop and Xevory Bites.
Tickets for Milwaukee Dumpling Fest go on sale Saturday, June 6, at noon. Those hoping to attend may want to set a reminder, as the event has sold out quickly in years past.
General admission tickets are $55 and include entry from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Guests can upgrade to a $70 VIP option for early entry at 11:30 — an extra hour of sampling time — plus a commemorative t-shirt.
A portion of proceeds from ticket sales will support efforts to provide Asian American and Pacific Islander educational resources to teachers across Wisconsin, according to ElevAsian.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the event website.
If you think stories like this are important, become a member of Urban Milwaukee and help support real, independent journalism. Plus you get some cool added benefits.
