Chef Peter Gebauer has announced that he will be leaving his position as executive chef at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino at the end of May.
Gebauer, who began his career in his home country of Germany, spent many years working internationally for cruise lines and restaurants and hotels in locations such as Hong Kong and Bahrain. His work also including consulting with Disney World Orlando, Disney Cruise Line, Star Cruises in Singapore, Aventura Spa Palace in Cancun and Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, TN. In 2014, he was named "Chef of the Year" by the American Culinary Federation Chefs of Milwaukee.
During his time at Potawatomi, Gebauer sought to create exceptional, unique world-class dining options at the casino (and eventually hotel). He implemented an intense training program for culinary staff based on the standards for the Culinary Institute of America, as well as assuming oversight of the revamp of the casino buffet. Gebauer also guided the creation of Fire Pit Sports Bar and Grill, Ru Yi, Wild Earth Cucina and Locavore. He was also instrumental in guiding sustainability practices for the casino, including working for implementation of the Potawatomi waste digester and inclusion of local fare and invasive species on restaurant menus.
In a personal email, Gebauer noted: "I have enjoyed my tenure here and I am looking forward to spend time with my family before I take on a new opportunity next month."
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.
