By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Apr 28, 2016 at 12:30 PM

Two Milwaukee organizations – chosen from over 60 applications received – will be the recipients of funds from two upcoming galas hosted by Bartolotta’s Care-a-lotta, the charitable arm of The Bartolotta Restaurants.

The first Gal-a-lotta will be held in September at Discovery World and will support Milwaukee Public Schools’ ProStart program, an initiative which is set to launch in fall. ProStart will teach culinary arts students at four area public high schools.

"We are honored and grateful that the Bartolotta Restaurant Group and Care-a-lotta are committed to helping us improve outcomes for our students through hands-on culinary arts education," notes Dr. Darienne Driver, superintendent of MPS. "Bringing the full ProStart program to four MPS high schools will provide hundreds of students with a new career option to explore while they learn critical skills that will serve them well throughout their lives."

The second Gal-a-lotta will be hosted at Grain Exchange in 2017 and will support Safe & Sound, an organization working to bridge the gap between the Milwaukee Police Department and disadvantaged areas through neighborhood watch services, safety plans, youth-led community improvement projects, youth/police dialogue sessions, among many other initiatives.

"We are ecstatic to be named the 2017 Gal-a-lotta partner!" says Katie Sanders, Safe & Sound’s Executive Director. "We believe the partnership with the Bartolotta Restaurants not only lends itself to a stellar event, but offers the opportunity for greater awareness of our mission and support of neighborhood-based safety efforts."

Further details related to the 2017 Gal-a-lotta event, including the date and time, will be released as they become available.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.