GET TO KNOW US
Welcome to Commercial Kitchen and Services
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.
Join us to empower your creativity, grow your business, and make your mark on the local food scene.
Our Mission
We’re all about building a supportive, collaborative space where chefs and food entrepreneurs can thrive. At City Food Studio, we offer the tools, resources, and encouragement to help you chase your culinary dreams, whether you’re just starting out or ready to grow.
Our mission is to create an inclusive, creative environment that empowers talent and makes a lasting impact on the local food scene—and beyond.
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 the owner of City Food Studio, a shared commercial kitchen in George Floyd Square dedicated to supporting and uplifting culinary entrepreneurs. A celebrated chef and food justice advocate, Lachelle has built her career at the intersection of culture, wellness, and community empowerment.
She began her journey in 2012 with the launch of Chelle’s Kitchen and went on to become the founding Executive Chef of Breaking Bread Café, where she gained recognition for her innovative, culturally rooted cuisine and commitment to social justice. In 2018, she founded the Healthy Roots Institute, advancing food education, culinary training, and business development. In 2023, she expanded her impact further as the Executive Director of Frogtown Farm and by acquiring City Food Studio, where she continues her mission of building spaces that nurture community and entrepreneurship.
A 2024 Bush Fellow and Josie R. Johnson Leadership Academy Fellow, Lachelle also serves as Board Chair of the Neighborhood Development Center. Through City Food Studio, she is creating a home for chefs, bakers, and makers to grow thriving, sustainable businesses rooted in culture and community.
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
Michelle Miller is the Administrative Manager at City Food Studio, where she drives the day-to-day operations that keep the kitchen running smoothly and entrepreneurs set up for success. With expertise in project management, content creation, and business logistics, Michelle ensures that chefs and food makers have the structure and support they need to focus on their craft.
Michelle brings a proven track record of managing complex projects across multiple businesses, streamlining systems, and fostering collaboration within diverse teams. Her balance of organizational skill and creative problem-solving helps City Food Studio remain not just a workspace, but a thriving community hub for culinary innovation.
Dedicated to supporting both the people and the process, Michelle plays a key role in advancing City Food Studio’s mission of empowering food entrepreneurs to grow and succeed.