10 Reasons Foodies Love Central Wisconsin
published March 8, 2021 - Wendy Schneck Furrer photo @opengatefarmwi
Where is that wonderful place where growers, chefs, and eaters create a DELICIOUS food community? That would be the Central Wisconsin area! Need a little convincing? Discover 10 reasons why Central Wisconsin is the place to live if you love, love, LOVE, food!
FARM-TO-TABLE
Discover our chef-owned, community gathered, farm-to-table; restaurants, bottlers, markets, and food shares. Of course Central Wisconsin is rich in beautiful farmland. The close relationships between farmers and the Central Wisconsin food community provide only the freshest and highest quality fruits, vegetables, baked goods, fish, meats, and cheeses to your table.
RESTAURANTS + RESTAURANTS + RESTAURANTS = FOOD WITHOUT BORDERS
Friday Night Fish Fry and Old Fashioned (sweet or sour?) may certainly be a “can’t miss” tradition, but you’ll want to stay for the great variety of fresh and locally made Hmong, Japanese, Vietnamese, Mexican, German, Italian, Chinese, Thai, and all kinds of fusions to name just a few. Whether in the mood for a pub burger with fries or fabulous pho… Central Wisconsin is truly the place to find locally sourced food without borders.
CHARCUTERIE!
You guessed it… Central Wisconsin knows how to do cheese, meat, and fish. Wisconsin produces three million pounds of cheese in 600 varieties – more than a quarter of all cheese produced in the United States. Wisconsin cheesemakers continued their international winning streak at the 2020 World Championship Cheese Contest by taking home 45 Best of Show awards and sweeping 14 contest classes and Wisconsin cheesemakers dominated the 2020 competition held in Madison, earning gold medals in 60 of the 116 contest classes sweeping the gold, silver, and bronze medals in 25 classes! In addition, there are over 16,000 beef, poultry, wild game, and pork farms with generations of artisan butchers sourcing from small and medium sized farms bringing the finest cuts to Central Wisconsin foodies. We are surrounded by 15,000 fresh lakes and 82,000 miles of streams and rivers bringing fresh fish to your table. Whether you source them yourself, or head to your favorite market; fresh fish, meat, and award-winning cheeses are plentiful.
CULINARY ARTS SCHOOL and LOCAL COOKING CLASSES
Those interested in pursuing a career as a culinary professional will be interested in the state-of-the-art Culinary Arts Degree at Northcentral Technical College. Just passionate about learning more? You will find a great variety of cooking, baking, pairing, and even cheeseboard-making classes to inspire and encourage the home chef.
FOOD TRUCKS
Central Wisconsin’s colorful food truck scene serves up some of the best eats in the area. Watch for a great variety of specialty food trucks popping up at festivals, markets, and businesses throughout the area. Find them at Central Wisconsin Food Truck Finder on facebook.
BRUNCH!
Yes, Central Wisconsin celebrates brunch in a BIG way. If you needed a reason to celebrate TGIF...the amazing Saturday and Sunday brunch options #inthecw are it! Are you a traditional chicken and waffles bruncher? Or breakfast ramen and eggs bruncher? You’ll find a brunch-match leaving you cheering “TGI-Brunch!”
MICROBREWERIES, WINERIES, AND DISTILLERIES
The art of micro-brewing has not escaped Wisconsin’s rich tradition of brewing. Some will say it’s the water, and others, the locally grown ingredients; there’s no denying the long-held tradition of brewing has remained strong and is thriving in the many Central Wisconsin tanks, aging barrels, and taprooms. In addition, there are fantastic wine shops in Central Wisconsin providing both local and imported wine varieties and fabulous wine club options to enjoy at home or with other wine enthusiasts. Those interested in unique handcrafted spirits and craft cocktails will want to seek out the renovated 1901 Milwaukee Road Train Depot and the local Timekeeper Distillery tasting room. Grab your crew or just you and a +1; you will be welcomed with a cozy vibe and a place to sit and savor the artisan beers, wines, and spirits made in-house throughout Central Wisconsin.
DINERS, CAFES, COFFEE SHOPS, and “BAR FOOD”
Some of Central Wisconsin’s greatest food treasures are found in its smallest kitchens. At any time of day you may find a full table of retirees enjoying a slow late breakfast, teenagers sharing an appetizer and milkshakes, generations of family sharing Sunday dinner, or twenty-somethings grabbing late-night munchies. There is a place at the table for everyone, try them all. “Mom and pop” locally owned kitchens are plenty in the area for you to discover… day, or night!
SLOW FOOD
Since 1986 the Slow Food movement has been growing… quickly. Central Wisconsin’s attention to Slow Food is evident in the strong relationships built between its growers, farmers, restaurants, and consumers and is celebrated at Slow Food community dinners throughout the year. See slowfoodmc.org to learn more.
FARMERS MARKETS
Central Wisconsin locals LOVE their farmers… and Farmers Markets. Only the four seasons of the area can provide the ever-changing landscape and colors of Central Wisconsin Farmers Markets. Outdoor markets are booming events in the spring, summer, and fall, moving indoors in the winter. You’ll find a large variety of year-round artisans and growers that take time to not only share their food and it’s source, but to share the story and people behind it.
Wendy Furrer, is owner of host: central wisconsin consulting group and enjoys promoting and working with Central Wisconsin employers to recruit, relocate, and retain talent by “selling” life #inthecw.
You may connect with her at:
https://www.hostcentralwisconsin.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-schneck-furrer-3a117495/