Filling hearts and bellies in Manitowoc

Jennifer Much

Contributor

January 27, 2025

MANITOWOC – It’s often said food brings people together, especially in times of need.

For Greg and Lauren Czekala, the new owners of Broken Plate Catering & Diner in Manitowoc, their dedication goes beyond their kitchen.

The couple said together they share more than just meals – they do whatever they can to help the people in their community thrive. 

Destined to run the kitchen 

Chef Greg said his entire career has been spent in the restaurant industry.

He began his career in the kitchen as a dishwasher at age 14 before eventually moving on to attend culinary school at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.

After graduating with honors, Greg said he joined the team at Broken Plate Catering in 2016.

“Greg began at Broken Plate as a chef and eventually became a partner about five years ago intending to take over when his partner retired,” Lauren said.

Though Lauren, now a baker herself, mirrors Greg’s passion for food, she originally worked in various nonprofits and spent years in the AmeriCorps.

“I always had dreams as a little girl of owning a bakery but figured that dream was far gone,” she said. “But I joined the business when I married Greg.”

Lauren said the COVID-19 pandemic gave her and Greg time to fill in the dots with their respective careers.

To their surprise, it came with changes that included Lauren entering a pastry program in culinary school and Greg looking further into business ownership.

This, Lauren said, was all while raising their six children.

“During that time, we decided to really plan what our future would look like, and we decided this was our dream,” she said. “It’s been a crazy fun adventure.”

In December 2024, Lauren said Broken Plate founder – Navy veteran Joe Schuh – decided to retire – which led to her and Greg becoming the official new owners of the restaurant.

Lauren said Broken Plate Catering & Diner, located at 1306 Washington St. in Manitowoc, is a mom-and-pop-style restaurant that offers all made-from-scratch items with in-restaurant or catering options.

During the week, Lauren said the diner is open to serve customers breakfast and lunch until 2 p.m.

The menu includes BBQ skillets, stacks of fluffy blueberry pancakes, fresh salads, burgers and even a traditional Wisconsin fish fry.

“Overall, our fish fry is definitely a top favorite and probably our most popular,” she said. “Our menu is focused on being locally sourced and home-cooked. We make everything down to our biscuits in-house, and what we don’t, we usually source locally like our breads.”

Some of the ingredients they source locally, Lauren said, are pure maple syrup, honey and meats.

The Czekalas said this aspect is a crucial component of their business, as they are passionate about supporting other local businesses – some of which include: Inthewoods Sugar Bush LLC, Newton Meats Inc., Lakeside Country Store, Pine River Dairy and Bakery on State.

“We believe you can taste the difference,” she said.

Broken Plate, Lauren said, also has a  “fully inclusive” catering menu – which again features many locally sourced ingredients.

Some of the catering menu options include bacon-wrapped shrimp, baked Italian chicken, garlic risotto and lemon-parsley baby red potatoes – all of which can be served buffet or family style.

“We provide pre-made menus, special requests, private chef experiences and anything in between covering anything from comfort food to a high-end gala,” she said. “You get the chef’s skills in the fine arts with the flavors and talents of grandma’s home-cooked meals.”

Alongside main courses, Broken Plate’s menus also feature freshly baked treats – courtesy of baker Lauren – including specialty desserts, an array of cheesecakes, cream puffs and sweet rolls.

Dye-free cake and dessert options, Lauren said, are also available to order. 

“Every meal, every booked event, every cup of coffee is an opportunity to connect with someone,” she said.

Serving up kindness

Beyond plates of food and service with a smile, the Czekalas said they are determined to help others – leveraging the business to make a real difference in their community. 

“I believe we both came into our marriage and our dream of this business with different forms of service hearts,” Lauren said.

The couple said they were both inspired to make a difference for others after looking back on their own life experiences.

“Greg has overcome a lot of obstacles and challenges in his life,” Lauren said. “He wants to be able to serve others in a way that brings comfort and connection through food just like he found in cooking.”

Lauren said, for her, it was an award that set the foundation for her desire to bring joy to the lives of others.

“I was nominated for the Governor’s Service Award while in AmeriCorps, and I remember reading the nomination I was given and thinking these are the metrics I want to be judged on – will I be known as someone kind?” she said.

Greg and Lauren said the connections they both experienced is what they hope to extend to their community – especially to those who need help.

The Czekalas said they aim to accomplish this through projects and events during the year.

“We have a ‘Giving Wall’ where people can purchase meals and leave them up for those in the community who are hungry and can’t pay,” she said.

Over the summer, Lauren said they were also able to donate nearly $5,000 worth of sales to a local couple who experienced a tragedy.

“Greg has taken it upon himself, in a few cases of traumatic loss, to provide funeral meals at no cost,” she said.

The Czekalas said their charitable efforts also span the holidays, a time when they work even harder to help those around them.

“Every year we provide a free community meal for Christmas Eve,” she said. “This past year, we hit a high at 300 meals served. We (also had) a Giving Tree up every year that we incentivized with gift cards for donations.”

Along with community meals, the Czekalas said the Broken Plate also provides food to law enforcement.

Apart from holiday giving, Lauren said one of their customers’ favorite traditions is the Burger of the Month promotion.

“Part of the profit (from the Burger of the Month) goes to a local charity within our community,” she said.

Lauren said they also donate food every year to several annual fundraising events.

“Food has a magical way of inciting memories, bringing closeness and creating connections,” she said. “At the end of the day the ‘business’ is about people, our neighbors, and we are blessed that we get to provide something that seems so simple but can mean so much.”

A well-seasoned future

Though Greg and Lauren are new in the ownership role, they said they have been a part of the Broken Plate team for much longer.

The couple said they are excited to bring new things to the restaurant and the City of Manitowoc.

“We are going to start opening our facility up for private events,” Lauren said.

The space at Broken Plate, Lauren said, will be able to accommodate up to 40 patrons for all kinds of special events.

She said guests will have the opportunity to customize their event menu.

In addition to events, Greg and Lauren said they are planning themed pop-up nights, complete with limited-edition menus.

While they are staying mum on the specifics for now, they said details will be released soon.

“We are excited to bring some fun and unique flavors to our community,” she said.

The husband-and-wife duo said they will also plan more ways to support the community and to network with other businesses in the area.

“We plan to continue to connect in the ways we have, as well as spend some time this year really getting out, networking and meeting people face to face, dropping off brochures and menus and letting people know what we offer and for them to see the people behind the food,” she said.

As they continue to maneuver their new business venture, Greg and Lauren said they are grateful for all their customers, both returning and new.

“We appreciate all the support and grace our community has given us as we take over the reins fully,” Lauren said.

The couple said they hope to inspire others in the community to show compassion toward others.

“Anyone can choose to be kind in anything they do,” Lauren said. “We just happen to try to do it with food.”

Visit brokenplatecatering.com for more.