Wisconsin Offers ‘Top Chef’-Inspired Dining Deals

Now, the state is looking to keep that momentum going with a free digital pass offering deals and discounts at 116 culinary establishments.

Travel Wisconsin’s Foodie Pass lets travelers follow in the footsteps of Season 21’s “cheftestants” by highlighting venues that include supper clubs, craft breweries and James Beard-nominated restaurants.

“Bravo’s ‘Top Chef’ has showcased Wisconsin’s culinary scene, food traditions and ingredients in a big way, but we know it tastes better in person,” Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers said in a statement.

The pass, valid next year, is available on the state tourism department’s “Top Chef” page at travelwisconsin.com.

Offers include a buy-one-get-one-free pint at 3 Sheeps Brewing in Sheboygan. A glass of wine is offered with every main course at Amilinda, a Spanish and Portuguese restaurant in Milwaukee run by chef-owner Gregory León, who has been nominated for three James Beard Awards.

Users can also receive 10% off a meal at Campo di Bella, a quaint Italian restaurant located on a 20-acre farm just west of Mount Horeb in the town of Blue Mounds, where the owners make wine from the grapes they harvest.

Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., said the cable television program’s 21st season, which ended last week, provided excellent information about the state.

“Episode after episode, ‘Top Chef’ has shed light on why Wisconsin is an exceptional place to visit, live and do business,” Hughes said in a statement. “Viewers got a glimpse of not only our incredible culinary scene, but also the great quality of life Wisconsin offers. »

Travel Wisconsin’s “Top Chef” page includes an interactive map with locations and culinary experiences featured on the show, including Harvey House and L’Etoile in Madison.

The map also highlights off-camera locations that the judges visited while filming or discussed in interviews and on social media.

Last year, teams toured Wisconsin for six weeks starting in late August, showcasing Dane County’s restaurants, produce, chefs and farmers market.

Hughes said Wisconsin was a good choice for the show’s producers because, as a major agricultural state, Wisconsin residents have access to great produce.

“Plus, our food and beverage producers — whether it’s cheese, beer or even soy sauce — are some of the best in the world,” she said in a Wisconsin State Journal article before the 14 episodes began airing March 20. “You have to have good ingredients, and in Wisconsin, we have some of the best.”

Travel Wisconsin organized $1.3 million in incentives, while WEDC spent $500,000 to bring “Top Chef” to Wisconsin, a WEDC spokesperson said.

The Travel Wisconsin page goes beyond “Top Chef” by telling Wisconsin’s culinary story through videos of foodie hotspots, highlighting Wisconsin chefs, restaurants and ingredients and offering trip planning resources, a Travel Wisconsin spokesperson said.

The website also has a link for those who don’t have access to Bravo to sign up to watch three episodes of Wisconsin’s season.