Hospitality Minnesota Remembers Hospitality Trailblazer Sue Zelickson
Minneapolis, MN — Hospitality Minnesota and the Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation (HMEF) mourn the loss of Sue Zelickson, a beloved pillar of Minnesota’s food, beverage, and hospitality community, who passed away peacefully at her home at the age of 91.
Sue was known by generations of Minnesotans as a visionary advocate, broadcaster, writer, and philanthropist whose tireless championing of local chefs, restaurants, and hospitality professionals reshaped the Twin Cities culinary landscape over more than four decades.
A Legacy of Championing Minnesota Hospitality
Sue’s impact on our industry was as expansive as her energy:
Pioneering Media Trailblazer: From her early TV appearances on KSTP-TV’s Good Company in the 1970s to hosting WCCO Radio’s Food for Thought for over 40 years, Sue brought the stories of local restaurants and hospitality workers into living rooms across the state. In 2005, her broadcast work earned her a prestigious James Beard Award.
Prolific Writer & Event Creator: A longtime columnist for Minnesota Monthly ("Sue Z’s Finds") and editor of nine fundraising cookbooks, she also co-founded the annual Food & Wine Experience.
Industry Champion: She founded The Charlie Awards, an annual celebration dedicated to recognizing exceptional talent and excellence in the Twin Cities restaurant and beverage community.
Community & Youth Advocate: Sue founded Kids Cafe at Perspectives, Inc., providing nutrition education and hands-on cooking programs for at-risk youth.
Supporting Women in Hospitality: The Sue Zelickson Scholarship
Sue was especially passionate about empowering female culinary professionals. She founded Women Who Really Cook, a networking and support organization that brought women across the local food industry together.
To ensure her impact lives on for generations to come, Hospitality Minnesota is proud to administer The Sue Zelickson Scholarship through the Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation (HMEF), created in partnership with Women Who Really Cook.
The scholarship provides vital financial support to women in Minnesota pursuing post-secondary education in culinary arts, foodservice, and restaurant management.
"Sue Zelickson’s spirit, humor, and endless support built the foundation for the vibrant food scene we enjoy today in Minnesota. She didn't just cover hospitality—she championed every person in it." — Angie Whitcomb, CEO of Hospitality Minnesota and Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation
Hospitality Minnesota extends its deepest condolences to Sue’s family, friends, and the countless chefs, operators, and industry leaders whose lives she touched.