Few Wisconsin restaurants are Black-owned. A Milwaukee incubator aims to change that.

Only 2 percent of restaurants in Wisconsin are owned by Black entrepreneurs, according to the latest estimates of the National Restaurant Association. But one Milwaukee business is aiming to change that dynamic. Turning Tables calls itself a “food incubator” that serves as a working kitchen for unlicensed chefs and potential food entrepreneurs. After a two-year stint in downtown Turner Hall, the kitchen recently moved to a new space to recommit to its model as a learning kitchen. Stay informed on the latest news Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter. Founder Emerald Mills-Williams joined WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” to discuss the transition and the role of incubator kitchens in helping underrepresented voices get into the industry. The following was edited for clarity and brevity. Kate Archer Kent: Why create a business to work with people trying to get a toehold in Milwaukee’s food industry? Emerald Mills-Williams: My most recent background and other business is called Diverse Dining. Our focus in our business was really in the diversity, equity and inclusion area. … I also worked with small local minority restaurants to draw and attract business into those restaurants. Turning Tables came about as a combination of a lot of different things —...