Chef José Andrés to Headline Local Economic Forum

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin– Chef José Andrés will headline a local panel discussion that will focus on food as an example of Milwaukee’s resilience and as a mechanism for revitalizing our local economy.

The Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s virtual Economic Forum is set for this Tuesday, June 15 at noon. Admission is free, but RSVP is required for link at MilwaukeeJewish.org/EconomicForum.

The panel discussion — moderated by Milwaukee Business Journal Market President and Publisher Kira Lafond — features Caitlin Cullen, the chef and owner of the Tandem restaurant, Joanne Sabir, co-founder of The Sherman Phoenix, and Omar Shaikh, co-developer of 3^rd Street Market Hall and known for his award-winning restaurant Carnevor.

Andrés is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee who is an internationally-recognized culinary innovator and founder of World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit that sees food as a vehicle for empowering communities and strengthening economies. He is a multiple James Beard Award-winning chef and recipient of the 2018 James Beard Humanitarian of the Year award.

After hearing from Andrés, moderator Lafond will engage him with the panelists to answer looming questions such as: How does food propel redevelopment? How do we meet the challenges of food insecurity and food deserts? What trends do we see in our hospitality industry and its impact on our city?

The Federation’s Economic Forum annually convenes the business community to hear a world-class expert explore an issue of importance to our economy followed by a panel of experts analyzing the issue through a local lens. New this year is the virtual forum in June, followed by the in-person event this fall at the Pfister Hotel. For the last seven years, the Economic Forum had attracted a sell-out crowd of 650 of Milwaukee’s top business leaders.

Lead sponsors are PNC and Milwaukee Business Journal. Additional local business sponsors include: Bruce Gendelman Insurance Services; Rock Creek Group; Dohmen Company Foundation; Mandel Group; Sadoff Investment Management; UWM Foundation; and von Briesen & Roper, s.c. A portion of the sponsorship proceeds will help Tandem restaurant serve 1,000 free meals, as well as support the Jewish Community Pantry operated by the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center.

Event co-chairs are David Lubar, CEO/President of Lubar & Company; Greg Marcus, CEO/President of The Marcus Corporation; and Linda Gorens-Levey, partner of General Capital Group.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.