“Shirts are for work.”

Justin Sutherland (@jsnaps1084) is the Executive Chef at Handsome Hog (@handsome_hog), which is a contemporary southern restaurant with a pig-centric menu in St. Paul’s trendy Lowertown district.

Handsome Hog opened its doors in March of 2016 and has been rated as one of the top restaurants in the Twin Cities ever since. Justin takes his classical cooking skills and applies it to southern comfort food with a major focus on seasonal ingredients and locally sourced foods. Oh, and more than 100 different bottles of bourbon await you behind the amber glowing bar!

In his early 20’s, Justin quickly realized that a desk job would not satisfy his professional ambitions. He made a snap decision to enroll in culinary school and went on to hone his techniques at many well-known Twin Cities’ restaurants including WA Frost, Meritage, and the now closed Brasserie Zentral.

When you consider the fact that Justin was gifted an Easy-Bake Oven at the age five, despite his father’s protest, it’s simple to see how the love of food and cooking is very much apart of his DNA.

What a fun conversation with an easy going, talented, and overall great dude!

Enjoy!

TOPICS MENTIONED OR DISCUSSED:

An education on the term Heritage Hogs

His love for world travel – especially Costa Rica

Serving his penance in the WA Frost patio kitchen

His struggle with Excel spreadsheets

Love of live music

His brother’s clothing line Hybrid Nation

The balance of professional & personal life

The current minimum wage debate

Justin Sutherland's Favorites in the Twin Cities

Favorite Meal under $15

The burger at Parlor Bar; pizza at Pig Ate My Pizza

Favorite Public Space

Minnehaha Park

Favorite Annual Event:

Rock The Garden & Soundset 

How Would You Describe the Twin Cities

“It's not as cold as they tell you it is ."

State of the Union Message

“Always try new things. You never know what you're going to find unless you just get out there and do it.”