The Milwaukee Art Museum announced today that it has promoted former sous chef Jamie Nelson to the role of executive chef.
Nelson will take on the role most recently filled by Chef Zak Groh, assuming the tasks of creating and managing menus at all three museum cafes including Cafe Calatrava, Windhover Coffee and the East End Cafe, as well as the offerings at signature museum events.
Over the past eight years, Nelson has worked with the museum in a variety of roles including garde-manger and kitchen manager; she also assisted in the execution of the East End Cafe, which opened in 2016.
"Chef Jamie has a wide interest in different food cultures and the ability to adapt to different cuisines," said Mark Zimmerman, deputy director of operations, Milwaukee Art Museum. "Her creative flexibility is a fantastic asset to the Museum, as is her demonstrated ability to lead the team."
Of the promotion, Nelson remarked: "My culinary career has come into its own at the Museum, and it has become my home. I take great pride in how creative and talented our staff is, and we ultimately take our inspiration from the art. I look forward to surprising and delighting guests with the connections between what is on the menu and what is on view in the galleries."
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.
