By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Dec 04, 2022 at 9:19 AM

When Ashley Turner accepted the offer to reimagine the menu at Hacienda Taproom & Kitchen,  she brought a wealth of experience to the proverbial table. But she also brought a deep cultural knowledge of Texas BBQ and Southwestern fare.

This week, we sat down with the native Texan to chat about her experience growing up in a Southern restaurant family, the “secrets” behind great Texas BBQ and the culinary journey that brought her to Wisconsin. Along the way, we chat about her passion for food, her experience developing award-winning Sporkies for the Wisconsin State Fair and the unique qualifications that made her the perfect candidate to lead the charge at the new Hacienda Taproom & Kitchen.

 

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Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

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 each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, 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.