The Bartolotta Restaurants Announces Key Leadership Team Appointments

Aaron Bickham. Photo provided.

MILWAUKEE – The Bartolotta Restaurants, the premier restaurant and catering company in the Greater Milwaukee region, proudly announces three leadership team promotions and one new hire. Chef Aaron Bickham has been elevated to Director of Culinary & Executive Chef; Christopher Graham has been elevated to Senior Director of Marketing; Chef Nick Wirth has been elevated to Executive Chef Tournant; and Andrew Kaczmarek has joined the organization as Controller.

“Our people are the foundation of everything we do,” says Chef Paul Bartolotta, Co-Founder and Owner of The Bartolotta Restaurants. “Aaron, Christopher, and Nick have each demonstrated exceptional leadership, talent, and dedication to our values, and we are incredibly proud to recognize their growth within our organization. We are also pleased to welcome Andrew to our leadership team. His years of experience will be a valuable asset as we move forward. Together, these individuals strengthen our company and position us well for continued success.”

Chef Bickham joined The Bartolotta Restaurants in 2001 and has been integral to the company’s ongoing success. Previously serving as Corporate Executive Chef, he works closely with Chef Bartolotta to lead and mentor chefs across the organization and now oversees the culinary vision across the portfolio of fine-dining, casual, fast-casual, and catering brands. In this role, he is also focused on ensuring Bartolotta Catering & Events continues to deliver restaurant-quality food and elevated catering services, bringing the same culinary excellence and attention to detail found in the restaurants to every event. “It’s an honor to help lead The Bartolotta Restaurants,” said Chef Bickham. “Our team continues to raise the bar for hospitality, and I’m proud to work alongside such talented chefs and leaders as we deliver exceptional dining experiences across every location and uphold our standards of excellence.”

Mr. Graham joined The Bartolotta Restaurants in 2017 as Digital Marketing Manager and most recently served as Director of Marketing. In his elevated role as Senior Director of Marketing, he now oversees marketing strategy, brand oversight, and strategic partnerships, building upon the mentorship of former CMO Julie Raye. He also earned his MBA from the University of Wisconsin in 2025, further strengthening his strategic, analytical, and leadership capabilities as he helps guide the continued growth and evolution of the Bartolotta brand. “The Bartolotta Restaurants has given me the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally for nearly a decade, and I’m excited to continue that journey in this new role,” said Mr. Graham. “It’s inspiring to work with such a talented team, and I look forward to building on our successes and strengthening the Bartolotta brand for years to come.”

Chef Wirth has been a member of The Bartolotta Restaurants family since joining Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro as a cook in the early 2000s. In 2009, Chef Wirth made the move to Bacchus – A Bartolotta Restaurant and was named Chef de Cuisine two years later. In 2014, he was promoted to Executive Chef. “Having built my career within the company, I understand the value of guidance and mentorship,” said Chef Wirth. “In my new role as Executive Chef Tournant, I’m excited to help Chef Bartolotta and Chef Bickham nurture talent across the company and mentor the next generation of chefs as they develop their skills and grow within The Bartolotta Restaurants.”

Andrew Kaczmarek joined The Bartolotta Restaurants in 2024 and was soon promoted to Controller following a long career in accounting at prestigious firms throughout Wisconsin. He oversees all accounting operations for the company and provides key financial insights. “Joining The Bartolotta Restaurants is an incredible opportunity and I am thrilled to bring my talents to a company that has invested so much into Milwaukee and Wisconsin,” says Kaczmarek. “I look forward to being an integral part of the leadership team and build upon the impressive legacy that has been created.”

More information about The Bartolotta Restaurants can be found at bartolottas.com.

About The Bartolotta Restaurants

The Bartolotta Restaurants is a nationally recognized restaurant and catering organization co-founded by Chef Paul Bartolotta and his late brother, Joe Bartolotta. Chef Paul Bartolotta is a two-time James Beard Award-winning chef in two separate regions, Midwest and Southwest, winning in both 1994 and 2009. In addition, Chef Paul Bartolotta has six James Beard Award nominations including Best Chef Midwest in 1993, Best New Restaurant in Las Vegas in 2005, Outstanding Restaurateur USA alongside his brother in 2017, 2018, 2019, and a finalist for Outstanding Restaurateur USA in 2020. Since the opening of its flagship restaurant, Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993, The Bartolotta Restaurants group has grown to become the premier culinary brand in the Greater Milwaukee region, offering first class service and cuisine across a portfolio of 18 one-of-a-kind restaurants and catering facilities, including fine dining, upscale casual, food halls, executive dining, quick-casual, and airport concepts. More information can be found at bartolottas.com.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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