Milwaukee 'Dean Of Cuisine' Puts A Positive Spin On Food Reviews

MILWAUKEE COUNTY, WI—A 16-year-old Milwaukee County youth might hold the key to avoiding arguments over where to eat. The self-styled "Dean of Cuisine," Dominic Dean, is behind the popular "Dominic's Milwaukee Restaurant and City Review" on social media.

Dean's reviews are all positive and often incorporate interviews with restaurant owners.

Dean was encouraged back in middle school to practice writing and hone his social skills by writing reviews. It is hard to believe he was once described as shy, as he appears outgoing and enthusiastic in the interview videos he posts weekly.

Dean's teacher at St. Francis High School, Lee Bernfeld, called him "the local celebrity." "What people don't get from what they see here [points to Dominic], it looks like the conversations come naturally. That has not always been the case," he said.

Dean smiled brightly at Bernfeld. "Look at me now," he said.

Dean's parents, Amy and Matthew Dean, said they will back him, whatever his passion. "For me the best part is him creating all this networking and contacts he can use for future jobs," Matthew Dean said.

Dominic Dean recently appeared in an episode of "Cooking With Kitty" in which he made shrimp boil pouches. He's also guested on another podcast with Courtney Francois.

A Win-Win Situation

Dominic Dean's social media presence has expanded since he started his food videos. He started the blog in 2019 and now has more than 8,000 people liking his Facebook page and more than 6,000 followers on his Instagram page.

He visits restaurants once or twice a week, or more when the weather is warmer. "I visit it and have a journey and experience with it," Dominic Dean told Patch.

Dean, his parents and Bernfeld help him by compiling lists of restaurants for him to sample.

Restaurant owners want the teen to come and visit them, Bernfeld said. Many people hear about his blog through word of mouth. His teacher and dad are working on a spreadsheet project for blog visitors to click by food genre.

"It is free advertisement for them [businesses] and the experience to hang out with Dom," Bernfeld said.

Dominic's reviews drive business to the restaurants, much needed help now that the coronavirus pandemic is waning, Bernfeld said. But he doesn't expect free food for his reviews.

To help with the cost of restaurant visits and to raise funds to help him grow his review business, Dominic Dean sells logo T-shirts, which you can by at this link..

The Best Resource

When Dominic started the blog, he would seek out owners to interview, Bernfeld said. Bernfeld and Matthew Dean help run Dominic's social media pages.

"We both can't keep up. It is people reaching out to Dom [Dominic]. Initially, it was him picking out where to go," Bernfeld said.

Restaurant owners love Dominic Dean's reviews. "It's because I'm so positive and, like, my positive attitude, and it lights them up and makes them have a day that is so awesome," Dominic Dean said.

People see that positivity in Dominic's writing and interviews, Bernfeld said: He is someone you gravitate to.

Dominic doesn't just review food places. He is branching out to review other things in the city, including murals.

Want to know more about the Dean of Cuisine? Visit his Facebook page.