MILWAUKEE — Chef Kyle Knall opened his restaurant, Birch, in downtown Milwaukee, four years ago.
He recently received his second James Beard nomination for Best Chef Midwest and will make an appearance In Bravo’s upcoming season of “Top Chef.”
“It’s great for the city of Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin, for sure. Anything we can do to show off how amazing this state is, obviously for the better,” said Knall.
Knall said his restaurant is known for its wood-fired cuisine
“Cooking over fire lets us keep things simple, but at the same time it gives them depth and a little more flavor as well,” he said.
Knall said he’s worked for some great chefs who mentored him in New York City for about 14 years. He said he even opened some of his own restaurants there.
Knall and his wife decided to move to Milwaukee to put down roots for their family.
“I wanted to be part of a community that I could do more than just be a chef. I wanted to find somewhere where I could give back to the community,” said Knall.
Knall said he buys most of his ingredients from local farmers.
He said he loves seeing the “farm-to-table” concept come to life at his restaurant.
“I love making things that taste good and using great ingredients from people that we know, and I love seeing the full circle from when you buy a carrot from a farmer you know, to watching someone cook it, to watching somebody eat it,” said Knall.