/ Business of the Month / VCEDC 2023 Business of the Year Award
Business of the Month: December 2023
Eagle River, WI., December 8, 2023…. The Vilas County Economic Development Corporation (VCEDC) is delighted to announce Private Chef Luke as its 2023 Business of the Year. The announcement was made at the VCEDC Annual Meeting on Friday, December 8th. Chef Luke was selected among eleven Business of the Month recipients this past year. He was named the August Business of the Month.
“We’ve featured eleven outstanding businesses this past year, and they all bear witness to the opportunity to achieve success in Wisconsin’s Northwoods – so choosing ‘the one’ Business of the Year is always challenging,” said Jim Tuckwell, VCEDC Board Chairman. “However, when you look back at 2023, one business stood out to us. Chef Luke Olejniczak is an inspiration to what one entrepreneur can accomplish in a very short time. The fact that he is creating jobs, and recently purchased his own state-of-the-art mobile kitchen is a testament to his success.”
Chef Luke, a Vilas County native, in August stated: “The idea of creating food memories is a driving force in my life and a true obsession. I began by preparing meals at a local hunt club for weary hunters coming in from the cold at the end of the day, and it quickly grew into my private chef service. I started this service because I truly enjoy being part of my guest’s special meal and the ‘background music’ to their special occasion.
Chef Luke is known for his steakhouse inspired plating’s. Whether it is prime rib, a premium filet, or even a beautiful piece of salmon. He also enjoys preparing wild game and barbecue.
Chef Luke expressed his deep appreciation to receive the VCEDC Business of the Year award.
“I feel very encouraged by the validation of this award, it is truly an honor to be recognized, especially with so many great businesses in the area. This road started out very humbly and has since blossomed into a wonderful journey full of blessings. It is wonderful to be rewarded in public for the practices and long days. I am grateful for this blessing and grateful for the VCEDC.”
In addition to announcing the Business of the Year Award, the VCEDC Annual Meeting included a keynote address from Craig Dickman, Managing Director, Titletown Tech entitled, “Bridging Innovation: Titletown Tech to Vilas County” and, an update on VCEDC key initiatives including Business Support, and Broadband.
The past VCEDC Business of the Year Award recipients are:
2022 Trout Lake Station
2021 Camp Manitowish
2020 Great Wisconsin Steak Company
October 2024
The Guide's Inn named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
September 2024
Eagle River Pet Company named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
August 2024
Headwaters Services named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
July 2024
Camp Marimeta named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
June 2024
North Lakeland Discovery Center named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
May 2024
Roots - The Northwoods Juice Bar named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
April 2024
Backwoods DCB named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
March 2024
Eagle River Office Supply & Copy Center Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
January 2024
Eagle River Animal Hospital named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
November 2023
Eagle River Tire named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
October 2023
AWI named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
September 2023
WinMan Trails named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
August 2023
Private Chef Luke named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
July 2023
Aqualand Ale House named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
June 2023
Eagle River Roasters named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
May 2023
VFW Post 8637 Eagle River named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
April 2023
Conover Gardens named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
March 2023
The Hiker Box named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
February 2023
Hooked & Tagged named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
January 2023
Track Side named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
November 2022
Lac du Flambeau Workforce Training & Business Development Center Named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
October 2022
LakeTime Management Named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
September 2022
Iconik Etchings and Innovations Named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
August 2022
Trout Lake Station named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation.
July 2022
Pitlik & Wick, Inc. named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
June 2022
Eagle River Historical Society named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
May 2022
Jensen-Akins Appliances/Hardware/Docks named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation.
April 2022
Boulder Junction Coffee Company named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
March 2022
Schindelholz Dental named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
February 2022
Arrow Gift Shop named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
January 2022
Ahlborn Equipment named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
December 2021
Hillbilly Hollow named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
November 2021
Trees for Tomorrow named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
October 2021
Simpson Electric Company named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
September 2021
Bartling’s Manitowish Cranberry Company named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
July 2021
Camp Manito-wish YMCA Named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
June 2021
Eagle River Light & Water Named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
May 2021
Great Headwaters Trails Named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
April 2021
March 2021
Charlie's Market Named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
February 2021
January 2021
2020 Business of the Year
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
Located in Eagle River, the Northwoods Children's Museum has thought outside the box continuing its programming and mission to give back to the community even during Covid-19.
August 2020
July 2020
Congratulations to the new $3.3 million Country Market in Lac du Flambeau (LdF) for being selected as the VCEDC July Business of the Month. According to Melissa Doud, LDF Business Development Corp. Interim COO, the Country Market which opened in June, has enhanced the entire shopping experience.
June 2020
Congratulations to Land O' Lakes Arts, a cultural establishment that offers people of all ages that sense of wonder and purpose.
May 2020
Steve and Lisa Coon have turned their passion for the outdoors into a successful business and yet, feel their true success comes from being integrated into the community, a community they feel is like family.
April 2020
Among being a stellar lodge, restaurant, and destination of choice for tourists and area residents, we congratulate Debby and Dan Johns and all of their staff for their generosity and commitment to Vilas County to ensure our history and culture live on for future generations.
March 2020
Congratulations to Eagle River's Last Resort for 38 years in business providing great customer service and experiences to Eagle River visitors, and providing a positive influence on the Eagle River community.
February 2020
In 2016, April graduated from a business startup course, now called Nicolet Entrepreneur Training (NET) program, offered through a partnership with the VCEDC and Nicolet College. "With ongoing support from the VCEDC, including rental space within the Eagle River Business Incubator, I was able to develop and implement my business plan, founding Starlight in 2016," said April.
Reach out to the folks at the Vilas County Economic Development Corporation today!
Contact UsWe can email you a PDF highlighting many of the wonderful aspects of our area.