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Chris Wiken, co-owner of The Packing House in Milwaukee, has been honored as the Restaurateur of the Year by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association. The Restaurateur of the Year (ROY) award is the industry’s top honor. Wiken was announced as the winner in a surprise celebration at The Packing House on May 15. The Restaurateur of the Year award is given to a restaurant operator who demonstrates participation and service to the restaurant association, success within their own restaurant and contributions to their community. The winner is selected at a private meeting of past Restaurateur of the Year recipients and is kept a secret until the official announcement. Wiken had a successful career as a commercial airline pilot and then returned to the family restaurant business in 2010 to help his family run The Packing House which was founded by his parents Keith and Margaret Wiken in 1974. This year, the restaurant is celebrating 50 years of continuous operations. With Wiken’s vast management acumen and experience, The Packing House continues to be a staple in Milwaukee where the food and service are consistently superb. He continues to work with his mom and talented team to put their heart and soul into creating truly memorable experiences for their guests. Wiken has been a leader in the WRA for many years. He’s served as the Milwaukee Chapter President, as well as on the WRA Board of Directors where he served as chair in 2021. During one of the most difficult times in our organization’s history, Wiken worked tirelessly to help mitigate the damage to the restaurant industry in Wisconsin due to COVID 19. He frequently was interviewed by both local and national media outlets to help tell the story of the extreme challenges that restaurants faced during this crisis. Wiken continues to serve on the WRA Board as an honorary member. After serving at the state level, Wiken joined the National Restaurant Association Board of Directors in 2022 representing small independent restaurants at the national level. Wiken has always been particularly focused on helping other restaurateurs understand the importance of being active with elected officials at the local, state and national levels. He is a great example for his fellow restaurateurs being involved in his community and having developed strong relationships with Milwaukee area leaders. - END - Since 1933, the Wisconsin Restaurant Association has been dedicated to the success of the foodservice and hospitality industry.
Chris Wiken, co-owner of The Packing House in Milwaukee, has been honored as the Restaurateur of the Year by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association. The Restaurateur of the Year (ROY) award is the industry’s top honor. Wiken was announced as the winner in a surprise celebration at The Packing House on May 15.
The Restaurateur of the Year award is given to a restaurant operator who demonstrates participation and service to the restaurant association, success within their own restaurant and contributions to their community. The winner is selected at a private meeting of past Restaurateur of the Year recipients and is kept a secret until the official announcement.
Wiken had a successful career as a commercial airline pilot and then returned to the family restaurant business in 2010 to help his family run The Packing House which was founded by his parents Keith and Margaret Wiken in 1974. This year, the restaurant is celebrating 50 years of continuous operations.
With Wiken’s vast management acumen and experience, The Packing House continues to be a staple in Milwaukee where the food and service are consistently superb. He continues to work with his mom and talented team to put their heart and soul into creating truly memorable experiences for their guests.
Wiken has been a leader in the WRA for many years. He’s served as the Milwaukee Chapter President, as well as on the WRA Board of Directors where he served as chair in 2021. During one of the most difficult times in our organization’s history, Wiken worked tirelessly to help mitigate the damage to the restaurant industry in Wisconsin due to COVID 19. He frequently was interviewed by both local and national media outlets to help tell the story of the extreme challenges that restaurants faced during this crisis. Wiken continues to serve on the WRA Board as an honorary member.
After serving at the state level, Wiken joined the National Restaurant Association Board of Directors in 2022 representing small independent restaurants at the national level.
Wiken has always been particularly focused on helping other restaurateurs understand the importance of being active with elected officials at the local, state and national levels. He is a great example for his fellow restaurateurs being involved in his community and having developed strong relationships with Milwaukee area leaders.
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Since 1933, the Wisconsin Restaurant Association has been dedicated to the success of the foodservice and hospitality industry.