April 6, 2025 — 5:00 PM
Monona Terrace

Thank you to all who attended the 2025 Concerts & Cuisine Gala. Thanks to your generosity, we raised over $320,000 in support of Concerts on the Square.

A heartfelt thank you to our event co-chairs, Susan and Jonathan Lipp, and to everyone who made the night such a success.

🎉 Congratulations to our winning chefs:

Best Appetizer: Chef Antonio Estrada, La Mestiza
Pork and chicken tamales

Best Entrée: Executive Chef Dan Fox, Heritage Tavern
Sherry & maple glazed pork deckle chop, white bean puree, romesco sauce

Best Beverage: Chef Tony Hargrove, Merchant
Raspberry Bliss: Complex and refreshing with a lightly smoked body. Lapsang Souchong, raspberry puree, molasses, agave, lime

Best Dessert: Executive Chef Adam Struebing, The Madison Club
Wood You Rather?: oak wood ice cream, maple smoked chocolate, toasted hazelnuts, maple waffle taco shell

Best Table Presentation: Executive Chef Dan Fox, Heritage Tavern

IMG 2271 final
Collage
IMG 2335 final

2025 Chefs & Restaurants

Banzo Head Chef Stephan May
Blue Plate Catering Executive Chef Ben Boltz
Cadre Chef Evan Dannells
Calliope Ice Cream Owner Staci Fritz
DelecTable Executive Chef Forster Sorensen
Draper Brothers Chophouse Chef Eric King
Driftless Glen Distillery Executive Chef David Siegler
Emmi Roth Chef Evan Topel
Heritage Tavern, Heritage Catering Executive Chef Dan Fox
La Mestiza Chef Antonio Estrada
Le Personal Chef Executive Chef Sami Fgaier
Lucille Chef Kylee Hering & Chef Eric Krause
Madison Club Executive Chef Adam Struebing
Marigold Kitchen Owner Kristy Heine
Merchant Chef Tony Hargrove
Monona Catering Executive Pastry Chef Jan Blochwitz
Monsoon Siam Owner Dutdao Wonglaka
Nani Restaurant Executive Chef Justin Jiang
Osteria Papavero Francesco Mangano
RA! Health & Wellness Founder & Herbal Alchemist Richard Bowman & Alla Tsypin
RARE Steakhouse Manager & Sommelier Owen Foxcroft
RED Operations Manager Taryn Johnson
Rusty Dog Coffee Owners Manny Figueroa, Tom Koren & Tony Bitner
Ruth's Chris Steakhouse 
St. Charles Station Chef Dave Heide
Tavernakaya Executive Chef Kevin Kuo
Texas Roadhouse
The Coopers Tavern Executive Chef Tynan McCaffrey
The Good Bowl Owners Andrea Staff & Michelle Nommensen
The Statehouse Executive Chef Pedro Caldera
Turkish Kitchen Owner Huseyin Cokugurluel
Uplands Cheese Company Owner Andy Hatch
Willy Street Co-Op Chef Mike Tomaloff
Wollersheim Bistro Chef Romain Coquard

🔥

An Evening of Flavor Awaits! 

Get ready for the ultimate culinary showdown at Concerts & Cuisine 2025, hosted by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. On Sunday, April 6, 2025, at Monona Terrace, immerse yourself in Madison's most exciting culinary celebration of the year in support of Concerts on the Square, the soundtrack of Madison summer.

🍴

Gourmet Showdown: Top local chefs go head-to-head to create the most mouthwatering appetizers, entrées, and desserts.

🎶

Live Music: Enjoy the electrifying energy of the Orchestra, bringing the spirit of Concerts on the Square indoors.

🌟

Exclusive Vibes: This isn’t just an event—it’s a night where flavors dance and community comes alive, all in support of Madison's favorite summer tradition.

The 2025 Concerts & Cuisine Gala is SOLD OUT. Thank you for your interest in attending! If you have any questions.

A special thank you to our co-chairs Susan and Jonathan Lipp.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the digital portion of this event?
Concerts & Cuisine 2025 uses a secure platform called OneCause to facilitate ticket registration, the silent auction, and donation processing. To be fully prepared for the event, you and each of the guests in your group should create a OneCause login before the event. The primary ticket purchaser will receive instructions via email. Please also feel free to call or email the WCO staff with questions: 608.257.0638; [email protected].

Are there assigned seats?
Yes, all guests will have an assigned seat. But also plan to spend much of your time at the event walking around to try food from the Chefs, bidding on the silent auction, and winning bottles at the wine pull.

How many seats are there per table?
Most tables at the event have eight seats, with the exception of table sponsors at the Maestro, Soloist, or Concertmaster levels (which have 10 seats).

How can I ensure my group is seated together?
When registering via the ticketing website, you will have the option to list other ticket buyers you would like to be seated with. We do our utmost to seat groups together at tables of eight.

What is appropriate dress for this event?
The official dress code is "dressy casual," which is not too strict. Definitely not formal, but also something dressier than a Packer's jersey.

Can I purchase tickets over the phone or by mail?
Yes, contacting the WCO staff by phone or mail is certainly an option. However, also know that buying your tickets online is the smoothest way to participate in the event. You'll need your phone at the event to fully participate, such as bidding on the silent auction.

Further questions? [email protected]

Sponsors

Maestro
Jun & Sandy Lee

Soloist
Peggy Hedberg
Susan & Jonathan Lipp
Tom Neujahr & Julie Underwood
Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation

Concertmaster
Anonymous
Diane Ballweg
Husch Blackwell

Principal
The Alexander Company, Inc.
Baker Tilly
Boardman & Clark, LLP
First American Title Company
Mike George & Susan Gardels
Bill Houlihan & Mary Gerbig
Hausmann Group
Kathy Hempel
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
New Year Investments
Park Bank
Resonant Capital Advisors
Lauri Sperfslage
U.S. Bank and Neider Boucher
Wegner CPAs
Jessica & Jim Yehle

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