Judi Barsness is Executive Chef and Co-Owner with her husband Peter of Chez Jude, offering catering, cooking classes and events, and consulting services on Lake Superior's North Shore. 

Chez Jude's menus reflect her commitment to the freshest offerings of the Minnesota seasons, organic, locally grown, harvested, wild caught, handcrafted ingredients. Chef Barsness defines what she and her talented staff do as "Minnsine - Contemporary Minnesota Cuisine".

A second generation Chef, Judi learned her passion for cooking and baking growing up in her mother's French kitchen. She has achieved more than a few culinary honors - from being featured at the Twin Cities Food & Wine Experience, to being chosen for the Catherine Brandel internship with renowned chef, Alice Waters and her staff, at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California. She has studied at the Culinary Institute of America, Greystone Campus in Napa Valley and at the National Baking Center, formerly in Minneapolis, with renowned Master Baker Didier Rosada. Judi has also learned from the many talented chefs and individuals that she has worked with in the United States and in Europe.

Chef Barsness is the Mentor & Chef Instructor for the Cook County High School Culinary Arts Class. BCJ (before Chez Jude) she was a Chef, Pastry Chef and Food & Beverage Director for Bluefin Bay Resort and Coho Café & Bakery, where her award winning cuisine attracted statewide recognition. She has also taught cooking classes at Byerleys School of the Culinary Arts, St Louis Park, North House Folk School, Grand Marais and for Lutsen Resort's Food & Wine Weekends. Prior to her move to Minnesota's North Shore in 1995, she was Chef-Owner of her own restaurant, café/bakery & catering co. in her native Wisconsin.

I Get By With a Little Help from My Friends