Letter from the Editor: Spring 2018
With Spring — just around the corner — comes the rebirth of a new energy and inspiration. I often use the winter months to reflect and ideate, almost a creative hibernation of sorts. It has always been important for me to continue changing and trying new things, whether it’s with our television show, “Wisconsin Foodie,” or personal creative projects.
In 2018, we plan to keep evolving Edible Milwaukee as well. While we are first and foremost a food magazine, we all have a passion for current affairs and social issues in our community and how our food plays a role within those stories. Beginning with this issue, we plan to introduce themes that all of the stories in the magazine will revolve around. In our Spring issue, we decided to highlight the incredible women that are pushing Milwaukee’s food industry to new heights.
Women have always been a huge influence in my life, starting with my mother Monique Gingras (Hi, Mom!). Raising me as a single parent, she always sought to instill confidence in me and make me believe that anything was possible. Coming from a small town in Quebec, Canada, she is an independent and strong woman with an entrepreneurial spirit. I honestly believe without her sticking by me, I would be in a much different place. She has been one of the biggest inspirations in my life.
Another inspiration is my wife, Dana Grabovac, who has been my chief collaborator, partner and best friend over the past 15 plus years. She has been there for every good and bad idea and always gives me the final seal of approval. She is an unsung hero behind the scenes of “Wisconsin Foodie” and largely responsible for the show’s creation. Dana is the engine behind the machine and she is also the peace in the chaos.
Last but not least, there is my business partner Wendi Horcos Devan. Wendi is a dynamic and relentless personality that goes and gets what she wants. She has risen through the ranks as a Kohl’s merchant and started her own food business — SA Braai. She has been crucial in helping further the efforts of “Wisconsin Foodie” and now Edible Milwaukee.
In Milwaukee’s food world, there are many incredible women pushing the envelope every day. Several months ago, while researching this theme I asked for feedback from the community and online. The response was mind-blowing — hundreds of people gave their feedback over several weeks. Just when I thought people were done commenting, I’d get a ding and there was another recommendation … and then another.
When narrowing down the stories for this magazine, I had to make some hard decisions, it was painful not to include everyone in the issue. On the bright side, there are endless women in Milwaukee’s food scene who are doing amazing things behind the scenes.
Just a few of the names and stories that it pained me not to include were Peggy Magister (Crazy Water), Katie Espinosa (sommelier at The Bartolotta Restaurants), Gretchen Mead (Victory Garden Initiative), Sharon Adams (Walnut Way Conservation Corp.) and Martha Davis Kipchak (Milwaukee Public Museum/Global Kitchen exhibit). This list goes on and on — see page 44 for a full list of recommendations.
The phrase "unsung hero" comes up a lot when I think of these amazing women, and with this issue, we hope to bring some oftheir heroic stories out from the shadows and into the spotlight. Enjoy!
