About Us
City Food Studio is a shared-use kitchen and culinary hub where Twin Cities food entrepreneurs bring their culinary visions to life. Our fully-equipped, health-compliant kitchen offers flexible short-term and long-term rentals, professional culinary training, food safety certification, and business support services tailored to help you succeed at any stage of your journey.
We offer a wide range of classes designed for food business professionals, entrepreneurs, home cooks, nutrition support staff, and food enthusiasts. From continuing education to hands-on workshops, our expert-led sessions inspire, educate, and empower.
Our space is not only a kitchen but a community where food professionals can network, collaborate, and grow. We also provide opportunities to host your own classes or workshops, fostering deeper connections and creativity within the culinary world.
Whether you’re a caterer, food truck operator, packaged goods producer, or culinary enthusiast, City Food Studio provides the tools, resources, and community to fuel your success. Join us to empower your creativity, grow your business, and make your mark on the local food scene.
Our Mission
Our History
Since 2014, City Food Studio has been helping food entrepreneurs pursue their dreams. More than 70 businesses have started in our kitchen, many of which have grown to national distribution, opened storefronts, or landed major contracts. But City Food Studio is more than just a kitchen—it’s a community. Located at the crossroads of four South Minneapolis neighborhoods, we’re a place where culinary enthusiasts connect, learn, and create together. Whether you’re here for a cooking class, an event, or to build your business, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Meet the Team
Chef Lachelle Cunningham
Owner and Executive Chef
Chef Lachelle Cunningham is a renowned chef and social advocate with nearly 15 years in the culinary industry. She began her career in 2012 with the launch of Chelles’ Kitchen and became the founding Executive Chef of Breaking Bread Cafe in 2015, earning accolades for her innovative cuisine and commitment to social justice. In 2018, she founded the Healthy Roots Institute (HRI), focusing on food education, culinary training, and business support. In 2023, Lachelle became the Executive Director at Frogtown Farm, promoting community investment, sustainability, and empowerment in urban agriculture. Additionally, she acquired City Food Studio, a shared commercial kitchen supporting culinary entrepreneurs in the Twin Cities. She is a 2024 Bush Fellow and a Josie R. Johnson Leadership Academy Fellow. Cunningham’s journey reflects her dedication to culinary excellence and social impact. Visit www.lachellecunningham.com for more on her work.
Theresa Cunningham
Facilities Manager
City Food Studio facility management is provided by retired City of Minneapolis public employee, Theresa, who offers an extensive background in project management, development and coordination of affordable housing developments for the City for over 40 years. She brings a full spectrum of coordination, organizational and managerial past experience. As facility manager, she is responsible for all day to day management and operations of the kitchen from its cleaning, organizing, grounds maintenance, and all function and facility needs of the kitchen.
Michelle Miller
Administrative Manager
The Administrative Manager at City Food Studio, where she brings her expertise in project management, content creation, and logistics to support the growth of food entrepreneurs. With a proven track record in managing tasks across multiple businesses, Michelle excels at streamlining workflows, coordinating logistics, and fostering collaboration. Her strong organizational skills and creative approach to problem-solving ensure that City Food Studio remains a dynamic and supportive environment for culinary creators. Whether coordinating logistics or crafting engaging content, Michelle is dedicated to helping the community grow and succeed.