Writing Innovation Symposium roundtable on food, community and activism, Jan. 30 

Join participants in Mise en Place, the seventh annual Writing Innovation Symposium for a roundtable discussion about food, community and activism on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 1 p.m. in Raynor Library’s Beaumier Suites B and C. 

The event will feature food rhetorics and media studies scholar Dr. Ashley M. Beardsley of Western Illinois University in conversation with three standout members of Milwaukee’s culinary community: James Beard Award semifinalists Gregory León and Ryan Castelaz, and Caitlin Cullen.

León is the owner and operator of Amilinda in Milwaukee, Castelaz is the founder and creative director of Discourse Coffee and Agency Cocktail Lounge, and Cullen is food center director at Kinship Community Food Center.

León is a four-time James Beard Award nominee, honored as a finalist for Best Chef Midwest in 2022 and 2023, and as a semifinalist for Outstanding Chef in 2024 and 2025. Castelaz’s Agency is a first-time James Beard Award semifinalist in the Best New Bar category. 

The theme for the 2025 Writing Innovation Symposium is “Mise en place,” a culinary term being used to discuss a readiness for writing.

Send questions to WIS Chief Capacitator Dr. Jenn Fishman and members of the WIS Steering Committee, which includes Dr. Darci Thoune (UW-La Crosse), Dr. Gitte Frandsen (Marquette), Dr. Grant Gosizk (Marquette), Dr. Jenna Green (Marquette), Dr. Jessie Wirkus Haynes (Bellin College), Dr. Kaia Simon (UW-Eau Clare), Kelsey Otero (Marquette), Dr. Lilly Campbell (Marquette), Max Gray (Marquette), Nora Boxer (UW-Milwaukee) and Dr. Patrick Thomas (University of Dayton).