Nestled in the heart of downtown Waukesha lies Chef Pam’s Kitchen, a culinary haven where food enthusiasts come to learn, create and connect. At the helm of this thriving enterprise is Pam Dennis, a New England native whose journey from naval captain to culinary entrepreneur is as captivating as the flavors she serves.
After earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1983, Dennis embarked on a remarkable three-decade career in the U.S. Navy, serving most recently as a captain and senior nurse executive overseeing hundreds of healthcare personnel across the Midwest.
Growing up near Boston, Dennis loved spending time in the kitchen with her mom, learning to make bread from scratch and Mediterranean dishes from her father’s Albanian roots. Her palette would expand further while living abroad during her time in the Navy.
Culinary Crossroads
Stationed in Italy in her 20s, Dennis’ culinary journey truly began to take shape. "My ‘Italian mom’ who lived across the hall shared her love for cooking with me," said Dennis. "My roommate and I ate with their family at least four times a week." This fusion of food and fellowship planted the seed for a future she had not yet envisioned.
Over the following decades, Dennis continued working in the healthcare space and even started two master’s programs in healthcare administration that were ultimately interrupted by relocation or deployment. At age 50, she made the decision to pivot toward her passion for cooking and used her Wisconsin GI Bill to attend culinary school at WCTC.
At WCTC, Dennis found not only the advanced training she sought but also a supportive community that embraced her as a nontraditional student. She had the opportunity to spend six weeks in Rota, Spain as part of her culinary internship, working in a fish restaurant, tapas bar and paella restaurant. Under the mentorship of her instructors, Dennis honed her skills and graduated with her Culinary Management degree in 2017.
"I loved that WCTC was so helpful right away from my first call to them," said Dennis. "Chef Andy Tenaglia, Randy Grippe and Chef Jack [Birren] all had a big influence on me while in culinary school, and what they taught me will stay with me as a chef."
Armed with her newfound culinary expertise, Dennis embarked on an entirely new journey of entrepreneurship, opening Chef Pam’s Kitchen in early 2019.
At the heart of Chef Pam’s Kitchen are her chef-assisted cooking classes, where guests prep, chop and cook a three-course meal, then sit down and enjoy their creation together. "I think people these days are looking for experiences to share with friends and family, and these classes offer that to them," she said.
Aside from classes, guests can enjoy an array of immersive culinary experiences, including private events, kids’ camps and team-building events. They can also take home the popular pizza kits and other to-go options.
Expanding Horizons
As the demand for her unique offerings grew, so did the need for more space. In June 2021, Chef Pam’s Kitchen expanded to add 3,500 square feet and three additional commercial kitchens. The added space made it possible to scale up another key element of the business: kitchen rentals.
Today, more than two dozen local artisans rent Chef Pam’s Kitchen space for their culinary endeavors. Husband Brian Dennis puts his business background to work, supporting the artisans through contracts, packaging and other business guidance, while Chef Pam offers help with culinary questions.
"Our goal is always that they become so successful that they outgrow our kitchen, and for those who are holding down a full-time job and doing the culinary endeavors end up making the culinary choice the full-time job," she said. "Then we know we have helped in a special way to see them succeed."
Dennis and her husband launched their popular Winter Farmers Market in 2022, providing a platform for local vendors to showcase their products and a space for the community to gather during Wisconsin’s long, cold winters. Nearly 20 different vendors come together every first and third Saturday from November until April offering a variety of products, plus music, wine tastings and more.
Looking ahead, Dennis’ ambitions show no signs of slowing down. In spring 2024, Chef Pam’s Kitchen is launching franchising opportunities in 34 states. "We heard so many people who were coming to classes from out of state say, ‘We wish there was something like this where we live,’" she said, "and after hearing that so much, we decided to move forward with the endeavor." Also in the works is a Chef Pam’s Cookbook featuring recipes from both her heritage and her travels abroad.
Dennis credits her time in the Navy for instilling in her the values of leadership, camaraderie and a people-first mentality, which continue to guide her work today. She remains committed to proving that the power of food extends far beyond the plate.
From WCTC Impact, Spring 2024