Chef Harlan "Pete" Peterson

Harlan “Pete” Peterson died February 26, 2026 at MediLodge in Suttons Bay, Michigan. Harlan was born March 3, 1943 in Valley City, North Dakota to Harry and Sophie {Haugen} Peterson of Leal, North Dakota. He attended elementary school in Leal and graduated from North Central High School, Rogers, North Dakota in 1961. He attended the University of North Dakota before continuing his education at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena. Upon graduation in 1965 he was hired as a car designer for Ford Motor Company and worked there for 10 years. As a member of a cooking club in Dearborn, Michigan, he met Julia Child who invited him to attend her cooking school, LaVarenne, in Paris. This experience ignited his passion for cooking and there was no looking back. Upon returning he quit his job at Ford, moved to Northern Michigan and worked for the Rowe Inn where he honed his craft and learned the restaurant business. In 1983 he took another leap of faith, bought a summer cottage in Ellsworth, Michigan, that became his restaurant, Tapawingo. A dinner at Tapawingo became an experience not to be missed and showcased Pete’s creativity, passion, and commitment to what he loved. Chef Pete’s hard work, creative genius and attention to detail brought him James Beard nominations for Best Chef in the Midwest for 3 years in a row and he developed relationships with many well-known chefs around the country. Tapawingo, Chef Pete and his recipes have been featured in Gourmet magazine, Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, the Detroit Free Press and the New York Times among others. He retired in 2009 and moved to Traverse City, Michigan, where he continued to serve beautifully crafted and interesting meals through a small catering business. Over the years he traveled the world extensively leading food and wine tours, collecting experiences, stories, matchbooks and unique pieces of art. He loved nice cars and motorcycles and liked to drive them fast. A favorite Norton bike was even displayed in the living room of the home he designed. While the food industry and patrons to Tapawingo know Pete for his skill and cleverness in the kitchen, those closest to him would dine on a bologna sandwich and bad coffee if Pete was at the table, telling stories of his adventures and reminiscing on his life well-lived. Pete earned the respect of his peers and the love of his many friends not just for his creative genius, but mostly for his kind heart, humility, easy laugh, and unfailing love for his family. He will be deeply missed. He is survived by his two sisters, Mary Lou Wilkins of Anoka, Minnesota and Sharon (Don) Caine of Jamestown, North Dakota, sister-in-law, Laurie Peterson of Missoula, Montana and eight nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Donald, and brother-in-law Ward Wilkins.

Chef Harlan "Pete" Peterson

March 3, 1943 - February 26, 2026