I grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the restaurant business with my family. I am the son of Alfred (also know, as Bill or Tiny) and Elaine Lemke, I was, a restaurant brat, having been borne into the business. The Lemke family had run Lemke’s in the Milwaukee area since 1941 in three locations: Tentonia & Center, 49th and north and our last location 11505 W. National Avenue. I was the third generation to be involved in the business. My love for food and cooking started with my grandmother Mabel Lemke. She ran the kitchen and started the business with my grandfather Alfred Lemke senior. When I was quite young on North Avenue, you would find me in the back watching my grandmother cook, playing with my pots and pans.
When we moved out to our last location on National Avenue in West Allis, I was helping out my grandmother and uncle (Jerry Lemke) in the kitchen as well as working most other jobs within the restaurant. Later on I decided that cooking was what I wished to pursue. I started cooking full time in 1978 and have been doing it ever since. In 2005 an offer was made on our place. After much discussion, our family had decided to sell the business. My uncle and my dad were burned out from the many hours and lack of free time from the business. However, the decision to sell was with a heavy heart due the patrons who have been with us for so many years. We wish to thank them whole-heartedly for that.
I decided to take a little time off for reflection, on which way I was going to proceed with my life. After a little time, I found I still loved to cook. After some research, I join the “Personal Chef’s Network.” I will be including many of our restaurants old time favorite’s, as well as many tried-and-true recipes that I was not able to offer at the restaurant.
Currently I do not only Personal Cheffing in the area, but you will find me at many local markets, performing demo's for organizations such as Chefs USA, and Celebrity Chef Showcase. (More information on both o
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Personal CHef New Berlin, WI
