Our Local Story

We’re proud to call Wisconsin home.

From the dining room to the gaming floor, our team is made up of locals who bring pride and passion to everything they do. Whether it’s to unwind, celebrate or just try your luck—at Potawatomi, you're more than a guest, you're a part of our community. 

Learn more about Potawatomi Casino Hotel

Chef Pete Zach is the Director of Culinary Operations at Potawatomi Casino Hotel, a Midwest premiere entertainment destination. He is passionate about sourcing high-quality ingredients and developing elevated yet approachable menus.

Born and raised in Hales Corners, Chef Pete was immersed in the local restaurant industry at an early age. His grandfather was an Italian immigrant, who owned an Italian restaurant in southeastern Wisconsin, which instilled values of hard work and dedication as the recipe for success.

Chef Pete has been surrounded by food throughout his life. During high school, he worked in the produce and deli departments of the local grocery store. From here, he went on to gain front-of-house experience as a server. Chef Pete realized his passion was in the kitchen and enrolled in MATC’s Culinary Arts program, where he enjoyed discovering and experimenting with different flavor profiles. His training led him to explore multiple culinary opportunities throughout the city. He then spent a summer in Alaska working at the Princess Cruise line resort, before returning home to southeastern Wisconsin.

In 2013, Chef Pete joined the Potawatomi team, where he worked as a lead cook in the Menomonee Valley Food Court. This started his career progression from cook to culinary director. Within the last 12 years, he led culinary teams across multiple venues, mastering three different restaurant chef roles before advancing to the senior leadership team. Here he played a key, influential role in the opening of six new restaurants which were part of Potawatomi’s recent renovation projects.

As Director of Culinary Operations, Chef Pete oversees the property’s 12 culinary outlets, ranging in all aspects of service and diversity. He is responsible for maintaining consistency throughout all restaurants and is excited for what the future of the property holds. Chef Pete’s drive, focus and results-oriented work ethic serves as catalyst for strong team work, efficient venue operations and profitable outcomes.

For Chef Patrick Sepe, there are three important ingredients that contribute to his success as a chef – family, education, and industry experience. An Executive Sous Chef at Potawatomi Casino Hotel, Chef Patrick strives to create a lasting impact on our guests’ dining experience, a value that stems from childhood traditions around his family table.

In 2011, Chef Patrick joined the Potawatomi Casino Hotel team as a Buffet Sous Chef, where he was immersed in a variety of ethnic cuisines. This broadened his culinary perspective and shaped his vision of what it takes to be a chef. Chef Patrick went on to hold multiple positions as a culinary leader, including two restaurant chef titles.

In his current role as an Executive Sous Chef, Chef Patrick is responsible for the culinary operations of the fast-casual outlets. As a hands-on leader in daily operations, Chef Patrick is always ready to step in and support his teams. He maintains open communication with each restaurant chef, with a focus on improving systems and executing menus efficiently. Chef Patrick’s humble and genuine approach has led him to be the culinary face on local TV segments and radio interviews, where he enjoys promoting our different restaurants and supporting our culinary teams.