5 artisan pasta places in Wisconsin to help flavor a summer meal

Written By Jason Gierl

Jennifer Rude Klett Special to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

In Bay View, find handcrafted dried and fresh pasta at Semolina MKE.

For now, Semolina’s pasta is sold only at its shop at 2474 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., and at the South Shore Farmers Market for the summer, according to owner and pasta maker Petra Orlowski. Eventually, she hopes to sell some products online.

“Bucatini is definitely our bestselling extruded dry pasta,” she said, of the thick, long, tube-like pasta. “And then our colored culurgiones are a big seller, that’s the pasta that’s stuffed with mashed potatoes, cheesy garlic mashed potatoes.”

Semolina MKE sources fresh, local ingredients to capture the best aspects of Old World pasta tradition, according to Orlowski.

“I do use stone-ground wheat from Meadowlark Mills from Ridgeway, Wisconsin. That’s an organic wheat,” she added.

Her personal favorite pasta is pappardelle. “I like the wide noodles. I like how it feels when you’re eating it, and it’s great with so many different types of sauces,” Orlowski said.

Semolina MKE does have a few openings for its popular cooking classes in May for ravioli, hand-shaped pasta and classic egg dough, check semolinamke.com for dates. No classes are scheduled for summer.

Jason Gierl

With over 20 years of experience in art direction, branding, advertising design, project management, web development, and team leadership, Jason brings a creative and strategic touch to every project.


As Art Director/Head of Design for Milwaukee’s Pabst Theater Group, he helped promote thousands of national touring acts, playing a key role in shaping the city’s arts and entertainment scene. Most recently, he led design efforts for the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), where he helped develop the branding—and played a part in securing billions in federal grants for venues hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Jason continues his work with NIVA to this day.


From designing stunning marquees for historic theaters to crafting brand identities for beloved local businesses and creating eye-catching promo art for national tours, Jason’s work blends creativity with impact.

Jason lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his two small(ish) humans, beautiful wife Heather, and their two dogs Willow (Smith) and (John)Reis. He enjoys a tasty beverage, exceptional food (especially Bavarian Potato salad) and is a music enthusiast.

…and as always, Go Brewers!

https://staticeye.com
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