Food & Wine magazine is currently in the process of naming The People's Best New Chef of 2014, and it appears the Milwaukee culinary scene has some skin in the game. 

Chef Thomas Hauck of c. 1880, 1100 S. 1st St., was named as one of the contenders for the title of People's Best New Chef of 2014. According to Food & Wine, Hauck made the cut "because of the unexpected flavors in his hyper-seasonal cooking, for instance, venison with coffee and pasilla crust, served with cabbage and Bosc pear slaw."

Hauck received his culinary training at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. He then worked in Le Globe and l'Essentiel in France, Citronelle in Washington D.C. and Milwaukee's own Mason Street Grill before opening c. 1880 in Walker's Point. 

One hundred up-and-coming chefs from across the country were selected for the poll and divided into groups of 10 based on region. Hauck is in the Midwest grouping, along two fellow Wisconsin chefs from Madison. Readers and foodies can vote beginning today for their favorite chef in each regional category. The chef with the most votes by the end will be crowned People's Best New Chef of 2014. 

The poll runs from today through March 31. Fans and foodies can place their votes at Food & Wine's website.