‘Top Chef’ Contestants Will Return To Milwaukee To Cook at Two Restaurants
DanDan, EsterEv will host chefs from February through November.
2024 EsterEv guest chef dinner with Amanda Turner. Photo by Kevin J. Miyazaki
Standout contestants from “Top Chef” Season 21 are set to return to Milwaukee this year—not to compete, but to cook for local diners.
Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite are bringing back their Guest Chef Series for a second year, hosting nine events at their restaurants, DanDan and EsterEv.
The 2025 lineup features “Top Chef” contestants Rasika Venkatesa and Amanda Turner, alongside Michelin Star winners, James Beard awardees and a New York Times bestselling cookbook author.
“Our annual Guest Chef Series brings incredible culinary talent to Milwaukee to create one-of-a-kind dining experiences for our community,” Jacobs said in a statement. “For us, it’s more than just a special dinner—it’s an opportunity to push our creativity and collaborate with North America’s best chefs, all of which we’re proud to consider friends.”
Jacobs explained that each event’s curated menu is influenced by visiting chefs’ “unique culinary perspectives,” and will feature high-quality local ingredients, such as products from event sponsor Organic Valley.
Reservations are now open for the series, beginning Feb. 25 at EsterEv, 2165 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. The first event will feature Johnny Curiel of Alma Fonda Fina in Denver, whose contemporary Mexican restaurant earned a Michelin star in 2024.
As the more refined of the two venues, EsterEv will offer an elevated dining experience featuring an eight- to 10-course tasting menu. Each dinner runs from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and is priced at $140 per person, with optional beverage pairings available for $75.
Upcoming EsterEv visitors include Brian Baxter, owner of The Catbird Seat in Nashville, on April 8; Mason Hereford of Turkey and the Wolf in New Orleans on Aug. 19; Amanda Turner of Olamaie in Austin on Sept. 16; and Brandon Jew, owner of Mister Jiu’s in San Francisco, on Oct. 14.
Meanwhile, a parallel series at DanDan, located at 360 E. Erie St., takes a more communal approach, focusing on dim sum—a traditional Chinese meal featuring various dumplings and small plates.
Venkatesa, owner of Mythily in New York City, will kick off the series on March 16, followed by Shota Nakajima of Taku in Seattle on May 18; Erasmo Casiano of Lucina Eatery & Bar and Xiquita Restaurant & Bar in Denver on Aug. 3; and Eva Chin of Yan Dining Room in Toronto on Nov. 9.
The five-course lunches, priced at $100 per person, will be served family-style from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Reservations are available online.
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