Mark your calendars. Tickets go on sale on Friday, May 31 for the second MKE Dumpling Fest, a celebration of creative dumplings from all over the world.
Presented by ElevAsian, MKE Dumpling Fest will take place on Sunday, June 23 from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. (with early entry for VIP tickets) at The Cooperage, 822 S. Water St.
Co-emceed by Chef Adam Pawlak and Derek Mosley, MKE Dumpling Fest will feature some of the area’s best chefs competing for the Golden Gyoza trophy and the title of “Milwaukee’s Favorite Dumpling.”
The growing list of participating restaurants includes:
- Amilinda
- Asian Cuisine Quyen
- Curry & Momo House
- DanDan
- The Diplomat
- Fusion Cafe
- Heaven's Table BBQ
- Hot Dish Pantry
- Mezcla Fusion Revolution
- The Original
- Semolina
- The Wolf on Broadway
Be sure to check out the marketplace featuring Asian drinks and desserts for purchase.
Get tickets before they sell out
Tickets for MKE Dumpling Fest can be purchased online beginning at 9 a.m. on May 31. General admission tickets are $50 per person and include admission at 12:30 p.m.; VIP tickets are $65 each and include early admission at 11:30 a.m. (an extra hour of dumpling sampling!) plus a free commemorative MKE Dumpling Fest t-shirt.
But don’t wait! Dumplings are delicious and space is limited.
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.
