Pearls for Teen Girls will host an evening of mentorship, collaboration and culinary excellence at Kinship Café, 2153 N. Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr. on Thursday, Jan. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Cheers to Pearls Who Cook is a unique “friendraising” experience during which attendees will witness how mentorship inspires potential, ignites passion and transforms lives.
Attendees will enjoy a unique slate of dishes crafted collaboratively by PEARLS girls and local chefs, including Chef and Owner Tomira White of Delicious Bites; Chef de Cuisine Josh Mendiola of Sanford Restaurant; Chef and Owner Micaela Erickson and Chef de Cuisine Joe Sutter of Radish; and Chef and General Manager Shania Hutchins of Kinship Cafe.
“Mentorship enriches everyone involved – the mentor, the mentee, and the broader culinary community,” notes Alma Velez, Director of Development. “This event not only highlights the talent of these young leaders but also shows how collective effort can spark joy and transformation.”
Tickets for the event are available online.
For those who cannot attend, but would like to make a difference, donations can be made on the Pearls' website. Questions about the event can be directed to Amy Lynn Zwart at amylynn.zwart@
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.
