There’s a new chef on the way at Black Sheep, 216 S. 2nd St. Chef Christian Schroeder will take the reins of the Black Sheep kitchen, effective Monday, May 16.
Currently executive chef of Buckley’s Restaurant and Bar, Schroeder says he’s looking forward to sharing his talent for melding flavors from different cultures with local, seasonal ingredients.
"I love giving guests an experience they’ll remember," he says. "I’m looking forward to bringing that passion and guest experience to Black Sheep."
As Schroeder takes the reins, former Black Sheep Chef Justice Neal will be moving on to a position which will offer him more time to spend with his wife and 2-year-old daughter.
According to a release announcing the changeover, Black Sheep’s food and beverage program will not undergo major changes under Schroeder’s leadership. The emphasis will remain on local, seasonal ingredients and creative takes on traditional dishes.
An open house is planned for Wednesday, May 18 to welcome Schroeder, who will debut his first menu in June.
"Mike [Sorge] and I couldn’t be happier to welcome Christian to our team," notes co-owner Wes Shaver. "We’ve made incredible strides in advancing Black Sheep’s programming and guest experience. We’ve worked very hard to re-connect with guests as well as introducing new ones to the restaurant. We couldn’t be more excited for this next chapter for our team and can’t wait to show Milwaukee the best Black Sheep yet!"
Black Sheep is open Monday through Saturday beginning at 4 p.m. with brunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
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 every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, 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.
