DELAFIELD, WI
Ben
KUFALK
Executive Chef, I.d. / Delafield Hotel
THE STORY BEHIND THE CHEF
Executive chef, Ben Kufalk grew up in Lake Country in Mukwonago. His passion for cooking led him to Chicago where he received his bachelor’s degree in culinary arts from Kendall College. While in the windy city, Ben honed his craft at the renowned two Michelin star restaurant, Acadia. Then, under the mentorship of chef Bruce Sherman at North Pond, he mastered the art of seasonal cooking, elevating the essence of each ingredient to its fullest potential. His journey then led him to crafting the best burger in Chicago at The Loyalist before coming back home to Wisconsin and starting his career with I.d. as chef de cuisine. As executive chef, Ben infuses each dish with bold, distinctive flavors while creating unforgettable dining experiences.
LUKE BARTSCH
GENERAL MANAGER & SOMMELIER
With over a decade of industry experience, Luke has been an integral leader during his time at I.d. As general manager of I.d, Luke oversees all aspects of operations, ensuring seamless execution of the restaurant’s vision and standards while providing guests with exceptional dining experiences. His deep-rooted passion for hospitality extends to cultivating a curated experience, where his Level 1 sommelier certification enhances his ability to pair wines with the diverse shared plate offerings at I.d. Luke is committed to creating memorable moments for guests through personalized service and innovative culinary pairings.
BRANDON WARD
CHEF DE CUISINE
As a child, Brandon gained inspiration by watching his mother and grandmother in the kitchen. He attended culinary school at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, WI. Shortly thereafter, he began honing his craft at I.d. Music has played a tremendous role throughout his life in creativity. His joy for cooking is watching how food brings everyone together.
HOWARD SCHLEEF
BANQUET CHEF
Howard, a Wisconsin local, he received his Culinary Management degree from Waukesha County Technical College. After which he gained experience among several prominent Lake Country locations including Artisan 179 and Delafield Brewhaus. He leads the Delafield Hotel's banquet department, working behind the scenes to make your weddings, business meetings, and catered events a success.
REBEKAH RADEWAHN
PASTRY CHEF
The pastry chef at I.d. and the Delafield Hotel, Rebekah is the creative force behind everything from mignardises to wedding cakes, as well as a constantly changing dessert menu. She was inspired to pursue baking at a young age when Alice Medrich’s book ‘Cocolat’ opened her eyes to the world of French pastry. After winning a nationwide cake recipe contest at the age of 18, Rebekah graduated from the baking and pastry program at Waukesha County Technical College. Since then, she has worked at several Milwaukee-area fine dining restaurants, including Andrews and Bartalotta’s Bacchus.