Freshwater Food & Wine Festival welcomes a master sushi champion, NFL Hall of Famer, ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ reunion, over 80 global wines, and the return of a Milwaukee institution
Inaugural Milwaukee lakefront festival adds new Mainstage experiences, seven immersive wine regions and a growing lineup of live music and entertainment ahead of September 19–20 debut
MILWAUKEE, WI – Tuesday, August 11, 2026 – Freshwater Food & Wine Festival continues to take shape ahead of its inaugural weekend at Henry Maier Festival Park, announcing a new wave of Mainstage programming, the launch of its complete seven-region wine experience and the first round of live music and entertainment. Set for Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026, Freshwater is designed as a large-format culinary festival that blends the energy of a music festival with the creativity of food, wine and hospitality. Guests will experience celebrity chefs, live culinary challenges, immersive wine destinations, restaurant experiences, live music, marketplaces and more throughout Milwaukee’s lakefront festival grounds. The festival runs from 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday.
“Freshwater was built around the idea that chefs can command a stage the same way musicians do,” said Wes Shaver, Founder and CEO of Freshwater Food & Wine Festival. “As we continue unveiling the weekend, guests are beginning to see how all of these pieces connect: world-class culinary talent, incredible wine, local restaurateurs & chefs, live entertainment and one of a kind experiences that invite people to participate rather than simply observe.”
New Mainstage Headliners and Programming
Freshwater’s Mainstage will bring the energy of a live television studio to the festival with chef demos, competitions and conversations throughout the weekend.
How Chefs Think — Mary Lou Davis & Nikki Hanna
The Hell’s Kitchen chefs start with the same Tom Yum curry paste and ingredients, then take
completely different culinary paths, giving guests a fun look at creativity, instinct and technique
in action.
Hall of Fame & Flame — Joe Thomas & Mario Giuliani
NFL Hall of Famer and former Wisconsin Badger Joe Thomas joins Carnevor Executive Chef Mario Giuliani to spotlight Hall of Fame Farms, premium Wisconsin beef and Carnevor’s 20th anniversary through live cooking and storytelling.
Behind the Scenes with Wisconsin Foodie
Chef Luke Zahm and Arthur Ircink share stories from the show; favorite statewide food finds and insights into the people helping shape Wisconsin’s culinary scene.
From Page to Plate: The Chefs Behind the Cookbook
Hosted by Visit Milwaukee President & CEO Peggy Williams-Smith, this opening Mainstage panel features chefs from Visit Milwaukee’s cookbook sharing the stories and communities behind their food. Previously announced headliners include George Motz, Joe Sasto, Dan Jacobs, Elena Terry, Tony Scardino and Adam Pawlak, with more programming still to come.
First Wave of Live Entertainment Announced
Freshwater will also feature live entertainment throughout the weekend, with music programmed to complement the culinary and beverage experiences across the festival grounds. The first wave includes Charlie Berens, B.D. Greer & The Gents, Listening Party, Joe Wray, Sazerac 5, Extra Crispy Brass Band, and DJ Shawna. The festival’s entertainment lineup will span jazz, brass, acoustic music, DJs, bands and other regional performers.
At Pearl & Pop, guests can enjoy Champagne and raw bar offerings while listening to New Orleans-inspired jazz and brass, including performances by Sazerac 5 and Extra Crispy Brass Band. On Sunday, Milwaukee favorite Joe Wray will bring a high-energy sing-along set to the festival’s Sunday Funday programming, while DJ Shawna joins the Mainstage as musical guest for the featured Midwest Heat culinary competition. Additional live acts will be announced in the weeks ahead.
Seven Regions of Wine Now Live
Freshwater’s complete wine program is now available online, featuring seven curated regions: Spain & Portugal, South America, California, Italy, France, Bubbles & Sparkling, and Australia & New Zealand.
Curated by Freshwater Beverage & Wine Director and Certified Sommelier Anthony Garcia, the program brings together historic estates, iconic labels, family-owned wineries and contemporary producers, including Veuve Clicquot, Louis Roederer, Chandon, Caymus Vineyards, Jordan Vineyard & Winery, Frank Family Vineyards, Gérard Bertrand, Villa Sparina, Cantina La-Vis, San Marzano, Ricasoli, La Gioiosa and Bodegas Montecillo. Guests will be able to explore familiar favorites alongside new varietals and regions throughout the festival grounds.
The wine experience is being curated by Freshwater Beverage & Wine Director Anthony Garcia, a Certified Sommelier and hospitality industry leader overseeing the festival’s global wine program.
“One of the things I love most about wine is that every bottle tells the story of a place. My hope is that guests approach each region with curiosity, not intimidation. Taste with an open mind, ask questions, compare styles, and enjoy the journey. There isn’t a right or wrong answer in wine, only the opportunity to discover something that speaks to you,” said Anthony.
He added “Three can’t-miss pours are Louis Roederer Brut Premier for its timeless elegance and OG, Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon for its bold yet soft Alexander Valley character, and Gérard Bertrand Clos du Temple Rosé, which beautifully showcases the depth and sophistication that rosé can achieve. Each offers a different expression of place and craftsmanship, and together they capture the spirit of what this festival is all about.”
Festival Add-On Experiences Now On Sale
Freshwater’s premium add-on experiences are now live, giving guests even more ways to customize their festival weekend. Saturday’s Freshwater Supper, curated by chef Adam Pawlak, is an intimate five-course celebrity chef dinner limited to just 50 guests, while The Champagne Room offers an elevated festival lounge experience featuring complimentary Miller High Life, curated bites, exclusive tastings, vintage-inspired hospitality and dedicated amenities. Tickets for both experiences are now on sale.
Introducing The Flight Deck
Freshwater introduces The Flight Deck, an intimate lakefront tasting experience featuring a rotating series of chef- and creator-led moments throughout the weekend. The first of three experiences will feature Jason Morimoto of Morimoto’s Sushi Master, hosting an exclusive omakase experience for just 10 guests per seating, with two seatings on a private lakefront deck.
Tickets for The Flight Deck experiences will be available mid-August, with two additional limited-capacity experiences being developed in collaboration with Hill Valley Dairy and Discourse Coffee. Together, the series will offer guests rare, up-close opportunities to experience exceptional food, craft and storytelling in one of Freshwater’s most intimate settings.
The Return of Trocadero
Hospitality veterans Drew Deuster and JJ Kovacovich of Wild Planet Hospitality Group (WPHG) will resurrect the iconic Milwaukee restaurant Trocadero for a special engagement in the festival’s Restaurant Row. WPHG were the last owner/operators of the restaurant; both Drew and JJ will serve as the festival’s beverage management team and have a long-standing history of working with Wes Shaver, Freshwater’s founder and CEO. At the time, Wes served as the Director of Marketing for WPHG when they purchased Trocadero in 2015 and worked directly with JJ and Drew on the transition of the brand. The team is collaborating on the concept and will bring back popular original menu items from Trocadero’s early 2001 menu as well as feature the original Bloody Mary’s at the festival bars.
The entire list of participating restaurants and festival menus will debut in the second half of August. Additional participating restaurants, food trucks, wine partners, additional experiences, and ticket details will continue to be announced throughout the summer in the weeks to come.
The online box office is now live. Please visit fwfoodandwine.com for festival information. Follow on social media on Instagram @freshwaterfoodandwinefestival and Facebook @Freshwater Food and Wine Festival for daily updates.
