Nine local restaurants have stepped up to create delicious dishes using McDonald’s ingredients at Unwrapped Waukesha Edition, a delectable food-filled fundraiser to benefit SHARP Literacy.
The event will take place on Sunday, Feb. 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Wisconsin Brewing Company Park, 1011 Blue Ribbon Cir. N in Oconomowoc, home of the Lake Country DockHounds.
What to expect
OnMilwaukee Dining Editor Lori Fredrich will emcee the event, which will showcase chefs' talents in transforming ingredients provided by McDonald’s suppliers (including chicken, eggs, beef, cheese, lettuce, onions and tomatoes) into creative "comfort food" dishes.
In addition to sampling inspired winter comfort foods, guests will also have the opportunity to partake in a silent auction, gift card wall, and a specialty beer created for the event by Lake Louis Brewing.
The silent auction will open online on Feb. 13, giving those unable to attend Unwrapped Waukesha the opportunity to support SHARP Literacy.
All proceeds from the event and auction will support the delivery of SHARP’s STEAM-based programming to K3 through 5th grade students and educators at four Waukesha schools. The curriculum – which focuses on biology, meteorology and coding – is delivered through award-winning programs that pique intellectual curiosity in students and helps them develop a life-long love of learning.
Creative bites for a cause
The participating restaurants for the event include:
- Bella Gusto: Chef Brett Huggins
- Bryant’s Dousman House: Chef Lee Christenson will prepare Crispy Filet-O-Fish Wontons with Asian Dressing, Wasabi and Creamy Napa Cabbage Slaw
- The Commodore – A Bartolotta Restaurant: Chef Jesse Kloskey will prepare a Nostalgic “McWellington” with Mushrooms Duxelle in Puffed Pastry and Big Mac Au Jus
- Daybreak Prime Meats & Deli: Chef Morgan “The Butcher” Perry
- Dockhounds Hospitality: Chef Sergio Hernandez
- P Georgio’s: Chefs Drew and Chris Paulson
- PROOF Hard Ice Cream: Frank Caruso
- Rise and Shine Café: Chef Maxwell LeClaire will feature Shamrock Shake Pancake Bites with Lucious Mocha Drizzle Whipped Cream
- Saz’s Hospitality Group: Chef Dustin Howard will showcase Savory McChicken Croquettes wrapped in Crispy Hashbrowns with Spicy Remoulade
““SHARP is committed to supporting students and teachers in the Waukesha area, and Unwrapped Waukesha gives the community an opportunity to become part of SHARP’s mission," notes Lynda Welsh, president and CEO of SHARP Literacy.
“We are so appreciative of the time and talents of Waukesha chefs and can’t wait to see how the menu unfolds with their completely individual approaches to recipe creation.”
Since 2016, Unwrapped events in Milwaukee and Waukesha have generated more than $450,000 in support of SHARP’s mission.
Get your tickets
Tickets for Unwrapped Waukesha Edition are $75 per person and can be purchased online at sharpliteracy.orgor by calling (414) 410-3204. Children under 12 can attend the event free of charge (with a registered adult); but they MUST be registered in advance.
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.
