Restaurants across the nation have been implementing unprecedented levels of creativity to remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic. But what about all of the caterers whose livelihoods are based on folks getting together and celebrating special occasions?
This week we talked with Dan Nowak, founder and owner of Tall Guy & A Grill, a catering operation that’s made a name for itself by serving well-executed locally sourced fare for weddings, parties and corporate events for nearly a decade. During our conversation, Nowak shares the vision behind the Tall Guy brand, the evolution of the business and the incredible pivots they’ve made to keep the business running during the pandemic.
Along the way he shares wisdom from years of experience in the industry, tips for folks considering the catering profession and his vision for moving his business forward, including the launch of a new pop-up concept called Flour Girl & Flame.
Listen in!
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As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
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 every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, 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.
