Chef Marshall Paulsen was born and raised in St. Paul. He has been working in restaurants for nearly 30 years, from the age of 15. After 7 years working in Front of the House as server and bartender in and around St. Paul, Marshall started cooking in Menomonie, WI. At the Creamery Restaurant & Inn, he started building a foundation in kitchen management and menu creation while sourcing local ingredients from farms in and around the Dunn County area. After 5 years of employment and 1 ½ of those years as Executive Chef, he moved back to the Twin Cities after receiving a degree in Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management from the University of Wisconsin – Stout.

In 2007, he began as Chef at the Birchwood Cafe in Minneapolis. Birchwood was a pioneer in sourcing locally & sustainably raised ingredients from MN & WI farmers, from-scratch cooking and baking with organic & non-GMO ingredients, nurturing a healthy, positive, and collaborative working environment, contributing to the community in numerous instances of fundraising and community engagement, and as a pioneer in the movement known as “ethical dining”.

Marshall’s work through the years has been featured in numerous local publications, including but not limited to: St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN Monthly, Minneapolis / St. Paul Magazine, Food Service News, City Pages, and many more.

With a diverse skill set honed over years in the industry, Marshall will guide you through every aspect of restaurant management and development. From employee development to financial budgeting, he specializes in optimizing operations to maximize efficiency and profitability. Need help with payroll, COGS control, or creating employee documents? He's got you covered. Looking to enhance leadership skills or resolve conflicts within your team? He'll work together with you to foster a positive and productive workplace culture. 

From POS setup to kitchen and restaurant design, liquor licensing to transportation logistics, he offers a comprehensive range of services to help you thrive. Whether you're transitioning to a no-tipping business model or planning a catering event, he's able to provide expert guidance every step of the way. With a passion for creative problem-solving and a commitment to deviating from outdated norms, he brings fresh perspectives to every project. Whether you're sourcing inventory, equipment, or planning for the Minnesota State Fair, he'll help you navigate the complexities of the industry with confidence. From bartending to private cheffing, he's pretty much done it all, and is available to share his expertise with you. 

Marshall currently lives in South Minneapolis with his partner Rachel and their combined 5 daughters and 5 cats(!)

WHO'S MARSHALL PAULSEN?