Judi Barsness is the Executive Chef of Chez Jude Catering & Cooking School, in Grand Marais, MN, on Lake Superior's North Shore. Chez Jude features contemporary cuisine, private dining, event catering and a series of cooking classes offered in your cabin, condo, home or chosen site. Chez Jude's menus reflect Judi’s commitment to the freshest offerings of the Minnesota seasons, organic, locally grown, harvested, wild caught, handcrafted ingredients. Chef Barsness defines what she does 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 in the Minnesota Homegrown Cookbook, 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, CA. 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 with whom she has worked in the United States and Europe.

If you have ever dreamed of working and cooking alongside an experienced chef, you can now have Chef Judi Barsness join you in your home or cabin for an amazing hands-on cooking class and dining experience with your family and friends. You will plan the menu and the wine pairings and then learn Chef Judi's cooking techniques as you work alongside her in your own kitchen.