By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Dec 26, 2019 at 1:01 PM Photography: Lori Fredrich

When you head to a steakhouse, you know more or less what you’re going to get: quality steaks, probably seafood, and numerous comforting side dishes. All are generally served in a dimly lit environment with a traditional service model. But not at Saint Kate, Milwaukee’s first Arts Hotel, where everything is a bit unexpected.

On this week’s podcast, we chat with Saint Kate Executive Chef Paul Funk about his culinary journey, from his childhood interests in food, to his work in Colorado, France, Italy and Wyoming. We’ll also discuss how these experiences gave him a unique preparation for his role at Saint Kate, and his direction of the hotel’s "secret" steakhouse, The Dark Room (TDR). We discuss what makes the TDR experience unique, from its hidden entrance to its menu of uniquely delicious steakhouse-inspired items.

Listen in!

Find us and love us

The FoodCrush podcast is up and running all over the interwebs. That includes  iTunes, Google Play, Spotify and Stitcher. Search for us on your favorite podcast platform, subscribe for notifications about each new episode, and – better yet – help us out by sharing the love by writing a review on iTunes.

Got an idea for a topic we should consider for FoodCrush? Want to offer feedback on our latest episode? Email me at lori@staff.onmilwaukee.com. You can also give @FoodCrushPod a follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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.