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Hosted by James Beard-nominated chef Luke Zahm, Wisconsin Foodie explores our culinary landscape and meets new and established food entrepreneurs across the state, strengthening our local economies and building community.
Chef Luke Zahm brings a personal and local lens to Wisconsin Foodie, shaped by his upbringing in Vernon County, where a strong network of organic farms and a culture of self-sufficiency forged his love for locally grown food. This connection — between food, food industry and community — is central to the series.
Food entrepreneurship as an economic catalyst
With every story, Wisconsin Foodie elevates the voices of statewide local food entrepreneurs: chefs reimagining Wisconsin cuisine, farmers preserving heirloom crops, and makers turning family recipes into small businesses. The people featured in Wisconsin Foodie are more than producers of great food — they are community builders, culture bearers, land stewards and economic drivers.
Entrepreneurship, especially in the food sector, plays a unique role in strengthening local Wisconsin economies. Small food businesses often become neighborhood anchors. By spotlighting these spaces, Wisconsin Foodie reveals how investing in local talent not only fuels economic growth but cultivates pride and identity.
I’ve had the privilege of watching people become leaders in their own neighborhoods, drawing on their culinary roots to bring people together … That’s what food does—it unites us.
Luke ZahmCHEF AND HOST OF WISCONSIN FOODIE
Supporting community food systems
In this way, the show aligns with broader efforts across the state to support community food systems. Initiatives like the Food Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development (FEED) Project from UW-Madison’s Division of Extension provide training, resources, and networking opportunities for early-stage food and farming entrepreneurs.
These programs recognize that local food ventures contribute not only to economic development but also to food sovereignty, sustainability and cultural resilience. Community food systems are a foundation for thriving, connected communities, and Wisconsin Foodie helps bring these systems to life on screen.
The power of food to unite
What makes Wisconsin Foodie especially powerful is its focus on storytelling. The show doesn’t just present meals or recipes. We meet a cheesemaker carrying on a generations-old tradition, an immigrant baker introducing new flavors to a small town, or a brewer revitalizing a historic neighborhood. These stories remind us that behind every dish are people striving to build a life, thrive in local economies and make their community stronger.
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