Le Cordon Bleu graduate, Kady Gibowski, has been named executive chef of Café at the Plaza, the Art Deco era café located inside The Plaza Hotel, 1007 N. Cass St.
Gibowski’s experience includes work with the culinary team at The American Club in Kohler, and more recently the Ozaukee Country Club in Mequon. Among her many talents, Gibowski has a flair for decorative pastry work, which should serve her well at a restaurant long known as one of the city’s favorite breakfast and brunch spots.
The café will maintain its emphasis on from-scratch fare using seasonal and organic ingredients sourced from a cooperative of local farms and producers.
Seating options at the café include the iconic counter, private tables, alcove seating or, weather permitting, in the beautifully resorted outdoor courtyard. Sidewalk bistro seating will also be added this summer as the café begins offering both afternoon and evening service with a select menu of cocktails and local craft brews along with small plates.
Also on the docket is a newly refurbished event space, the Walnut Room, which can accommodate small groups for events and gatherings.
Regulars, don’t despair. Despite the changes, the ever popular lemon poppy seed pancakes and house-made corned beef hash will still be offered on the varied café menu.
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.
