Chef Justin Sutherland was born to cook. He spent his childhood in the kitchen learning recipes from his mother and grandmother. His favorite TV show was Yan Can Cook where Chef Yan’s motto and show closing saying was “If Yan can cook, so can you”. For his fifth birthday, he asked for an EasyBake Oven. Suffice to say, he’s been at it for a while.

Sutherland is classically trained in French cuisine but returned to his southern roots when he opened his own first restaurant, Handsome Hog, in St. Paul MN. Infusing his classical training with equally-classic ingredients from the south, Sutherland elevates his pork-centric contemporary southern dishes to the next-level. Under the Sutherland brand, Sutherland operates multiple award-winning restaurants including the Handsome Hog, Obachan Noodles and Chicken, Chickpea Hummus Bar, The Gnome, Woodfire Cantina, and Gray Duck Tavern. He is also the co-owner of Hybrid Nation, a socially-conscious streetwear and lifestyle brand that is creating social change by selling products with a meaningful cause behind them, and by acting as a catalyst for the continuation of action and conversation focused on promoting the importance of diversity and social equality.

Sutherland has been recognized by local and national publications for his contribution to the culinary world in addition to his philanthropic endeavors and community involvement. Sutherland stayed active during his restaurants’ closures due to COVID-19 by co-founding the North Stands, an organization supporting hospitality workers.

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