Growing up in Saint Paul, MN, Justin Sutherland spent his childhood in the kitchen watching his mother and grandmother cook, as well as his favorite TV show, “Yan Can Cook”. For his fifth birthday, Justin asked for and received an Easy Bake Oven. 

All of these things together, inspired him to pursue his passion and develop his career, centered on food and family.

He opened his first restaurant, the Handsome Hog in Lowertown, Saint Paul, and quickly gained a reputation for excellence, noticed not only locally, but also nationally.  An opportunity to appear on “Iron Chef America” resulted in his defeat of Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli of Butter NYC, and another call to compete on “Bravo’s Top Chef Season 16”.  In 2021, Sutherland joined fellow chefs Jeremy Ford and Kristen Kish as hosts of truTV’s “Fast Foodies” which returns for Season 2 on. January 27, 2022. 

Sutherland currently owns and operates; Handsome Hog in Saint Paul, and is a consulting partner on The Gnome Craft Pub.  He is also the culinary consultant for the MN United at Allianz Field.

Outside of his restaurants, Sutherland is active in local philanthropy, raising funds and donations for hospitality workers affected by the pandemic through The North Stands, MN Central Kitchen, and he sits on the board of Visit Saint Paul.

Accolades & Awards

Named Outstanding Chef at the 2019 Charlie Awards.

Pearl & the Thief named one of the Best New Restaurants 2018 by Minneapolis St Paul Magazine

Handsome Hog named one of the 50 Best Restaurants 2019 by Minneapolis St Paul Magazine