Food

Beer, lederhosen and oompah music; the three combine into a joyous, month-long festival celebrating Wisconsin’s German roots. Where should you experience Oktoberfest this year?

Despite facing freezing temperatures much of the year, Wisconsinites consume 21 million gallons of ice cream annually: by some measures, the most in America. Where did the tasty treat originate?

What could possibly be more American than fried food, 1950s music, and yacht-sized Cadillacs with “I Like Ike” stickers?

Hoist a pint at one of the several breweries in Door County.

Charlotte-based Chef Bruce Moffett, owner of Moffett Restaurant Group, is releasing his first cookbook, “Bruce Moffett Cooks: A New England Chef in a New South Kitchen.”

Fried, fatty and nutritionless, cheese curds are basically the opposite of a blueberry. Still, because they pair well with beer, friends and winter, we love them all the same.

Rome has cannoli, Paris has crepes, and Madison has cheese curds. But where should you go to find the best in the city?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is saying goodbye to the Obama administration’s school lunch and breakfast program in a move to serve meals more appealing to students.

Come June, Wisconsin’s craft breweries are ready to serve up a menu of summer-approved beers for lakeside outings, camping trips and Miller Park tailgating. After a full sunny season sipping on crisp Pilsners and citrusy witbiers, it’s time for a new set of full and rich brew flavors for the colder months ahead:

The month of September took readers of The Wisconsin 100 across the state with their dinner plates. One of our favorite articles shined a spotlight on the quintessential Wisconsin dining experience: supper clubs.

In a state that’s seemingly overflowing with beer, it’s no surprise the earliest breweries in Wisconsin predate our statehood, dating back to the 1830s. Thanks to the state’s industrious German settlers, there were over 300 breweries operating in Wisconsin by 1890, including Pabst Brewing, Schlitz Brewing Co. and MillerCoors LLC.

America’s dairyland is globally renowned for its rich cheese-making history and commitment to culinary artisanal excellence. From developing originals to perfecting traditional recipes, Wisconsin’s cheese legacy is time-honored and unending.

Life is like a box of chocolates — you never know what you’re going to get — unless, that is, you visit Indulgence Chocolatiers. Guests are greeted with a variety of handcrafted, delicious and beautiful chocolate confections.

It’s hard to imagine a family gathering or football potluck without them. In 1932, a man by the name of Baptiste established a family-owned and operated corner bakery on Milwaukee’s south side.

In 1945, the Stayer family opened a butcher shop in Johnsonville, just west of Sheboygan. The original recipe of “sausage with a big taste” that came over from 19th-century Austria was the foundation of the business in the 1940s and remains the staple of the family-owned company today.

Sugar, spice and myriad savory blends are on display at America’s largest independent spice retailer, Penzeys Spices, headquartered in Wauwatosa. Whether you’re on the hunt for the perfect pumpkin pie spice or Italian herb mix, Penzeys has been supplying a variety of ingredients to cooks across America for over 60 years.

Located in Milwaukee’s Third Ward on Chicago Street, Sweet Diner rewards early-morning customers and late-morning brunch-goers alike with an expansive menu of sweet and savory breakfast fare.

Wisconsin owes many of its culinary staples to traditional European recipes, including Alpine-style cheese, bratwurst and, as of 2013, the official state pastry: kringle.

An iced Americano aficionado with a knack for perfecting the craft of coffee making, Chris Johnston, barista trainer at Valentine Coffee Co., wakes up around 4 a.m. daily. After a comedy sketch and a bowl of oatmeal, he’s on his way to foster the talent of Valentine’s employees and provide quality assurance to wholesale clients.

Crunchy, creamy, chocolaty, nougaty or even sour – what’s your favorite Halloween candy? We want to know.

If the crisp fall air and cozy sweater-weather attire (cue the flannels) aren’t enough to brighten your mornings, then fall breakfast foods will certainly do the trick. Call it basic, but with treats like pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin muffins and decadent bourbon pumpkin cinnamon rolls to start the day, it’s no wonder fall is my favorite season.

Dining in Wisconsin means experiencing the intersection of timeless comfort and experimental flavor. As the state’s culinary landscape evolves, our beloved cheese curds become dearer to us while James Beard Award nominated chefs continue to put Wisconsin on the map.

Alice Choi’s Hip Foodie Mom has a substantial following on Instagram, serving a curated feed of tasteful recipes and photographs of perfectly plated meals. Food blogging isn’t new, but it’s changing how people dine.

Culinary trends come and go. Some have more influence than others (e.g. kale), and some are Instagram-born trends (e.g. smoothie bowls).

Located in Milwaukee’s fifth ward is Snack Boys, a funky snack bar that lives up to its motto, “Pure Chaos with some food and booze.”

From football players to recording artists, plant-based diets are now the norm — and the dining industry has capitalized on the trend. Wisconsin restaurants have added vegan items to the menu and the state has observed an influx of plant-based eateries.

Supper clubs — the establishments that time forgot in many small-town Wisconsin communities — continue their resurgence among travelers, foodies and craft-cocktail enthusiasts. Quintessentially Wisconsin, the retro decor, relish trays, brandy old-fashioneds and oversized portions feed the belly and the soul.

Food trucks are revamping the way people interpret casual dining. These mobile eateries ingeniously deliver new food experiences straight to the hotspots, neighborhoods and festivals around Milwaukee. With a smorgasbord of local vendors, global food styles and creative themes and decor, food trucks can offer something for anyone from quick lunches to late night snacks.

The Wisconsin 100 spoke with Orry Léon, owner and general manager of Amilinda, about what made Milwaukee the ideal location for his Spanish and Portuguese inspired restaurant.

How does a small farm town become a major Midwest food destination? Ask Luke Zahm, chef and owner of Drifltess Cafe in Viroqua. A La Farge native, Zahm was no stranger to the local food bounty that defines Wisconsin’s Driftless Region.