Episode 9: Restaurant Wars

Restaurant Wars is an iconic "Top Chef" challenge. Chefs must create a whole restaurant with a coherent concept, smooth service and good food in 24 hours, all on TV. 

Everyone on the episode this week, including me, dined at Restaurant Wars during "Top Chef Wisconsin." Up top, we've got guest judges Itaru Nagano and Andrew Kroeger, the chefs and co-owners of Fairchild restaurant on Monroe Street. The pair won a James Beard Award for Best Chef Midwest in 2023. 

Chelsea Mamerow, art director for Milwaukee Magazine, dined at Channel, the seafood-themed restaurant, and took note of the decor as well as the flavors. I dined at Dos by Deul, which attempted a Latin/Korean fusion concept. 

Spoilers follow for Episode 8 of "Top Chef Wisconsin," the Restaurant Wars episode. 

Hear from guest judges, chefs and competitors on 'Top Chef Wisconsin.' A limited series from The Corner Table, a podcast about food and drink in Madison, Wisconsin, produced by The Capital Times.