Peter Gebauer, executive chef at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, has been named the 2014 Chef of the Year by the American Culinary Federation Chefs of Milwaukee.
“I’m proud but also very humbled by the honor,” said Gebauer, who is also president of the American Culinary Federation Chefs of Milwaukee. “Milwaukee has many talented chefs and has truly undergone a renaissance when it comes to the culinary arts.”
Gebauer, who joined Potawatomi as executive chef in 2006, leads culinary operations for the hotel and casino’s seven restaurants and catering ventures.
During his tenure, Potawatomi has more than doubled the number of restaurants on its property and has ramped up catering operations as the company has added meeting space. According to Potawatomi, the company serves close to 2.5 million visitors each year and hosts approximately 700 catered events annually.
“Chef Gebauer has been integral in the growth of the food and beverage department at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino,” said Don Sally, food and beverage director. “More importantly, he has elevated the quality of culinary offerings here. His success is more than evident in the reputation our property has garnered and can largely be attributed to his leadership through education and mentoring.”
Gebauer also played a key role in developing Potawatomi’s Culinary Academy, which educates the company’s food and beverage employees on culinary arts.
In addition to Potawatomi, Gebauer has worked in culinary positions in Hong Kong, the Middle East, Singapore and Cancun.
