Exploring the Genesis of Bûcheron, the James Beard Award Recipient for Outstanding New Eatery
In the heart of Southwest Minneapolis, a French-inspired eatery named Bûcheron has been making waves in the culinary world. Founded by Adam Ritter and Jeanie Janas Ritter, the restaurant is a testament to their extensive experience gained from working at renowned establishments across the globe.
Adam, who grew up on a small farm in St. Wendel, Minnesota, and Jeanie, who was raised on a farm in LaPorte, Indiana, honed their skills in kitchens and front-of-house roles in cities such as Las Vegas, California, Singapore, and Chicago. Their partnership, with Jeanie excelling in front-of-house management and Adam focusing on culinary leadership, proved to be a powerful combination.
After joining Gavin Kaysen’s Soigné Hospitality Group, they gained valuable local experience and connections in Minneapolis's respected culinary community. However, the pandemic disrupted their careers, leading to the closure of Bellecour. Seeking balance, career growth, and more time with their children, Adam and Jeanie decided to open their own restaurant.
The intimate interior of Bûcheron, with its small yet inviting space, sets the stage for a unique dining experience. The menu features French-inspired dishes with American and Midwestern flavors, such as the Cookies and Cream dessert and the Hamachi Crudo. Local ingredients, like maple syrup from a farm in the city's western suburbs and rhubarb from Adam’s uncle, are prominently featured.
The restaurant's star dish, the American Wagyu Steak, comes from Feller's Ranch in Southwest Minnesota, while oysters are shipped from Glidden Point Oyster Farms in Maine once a week. This commitment to local produce and partnerships is a key aspect of Bûcheron's success.
The Ritters' complementary talents, combined with strong mentorship and a network from Kaysen’s group, facilitated the launch of Bûcheron as a French–Midwestern bistro applying classic French technique to local ingredients like wild rice and Minnesota chanterelles. They recruited key staff with shared backgrounds from Kaysen’s ecosystem, creating a cohesive and experienced team.
Bûcheron's success story culminated in winning the 2025 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in America. This recognition reflects both the couple's deep professional roots and their innovative approach to French cuisine within a Midwestern context. Their success illustrates the importance of diverse culinary experience, strategic local partnerships, adaptability during challenges, and complementary leadership roles in building a national standout restaurant.
Despite their newfound success, the Ritters understand the importance of staying relevant and are already talking about ways to do so. As they continue to grow their team and evolve their menu, one thing is certain: Bûcheron is here to stay, offering Minneapolis diners a truly unique and delicious dining experience.
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- As they delved deeper into their culinary journey, Adam and Jeanie Ritter expanded their interests beyond the restaurant finance of Bučeron, exploring various lifestyle aspects.
- Within the ever-changing landscape of fashion-and-beauty trends, Jeanie embraced personal styles reminiscent of French elegance.
- Adam and Jeanie's fascination with the food-and-drink world prompted them to experiment with new recipes and cooking techniques in their spare time.
- In line with their restaurant's success, the Ritters developed a penchant for travel, particularly to vacation spots near pristine food and drink destinations.
- With their newfound wealth from big-wins at Minneapolis's casinos and popular gambling trends, Adam and Jeanie decided to branch out into another exciting venture – Las Vegas-themed entertainment.
- Seeking to diversify their entertainment empire, the Ritters planned to open a casino-and-gambling establishment, featuring a variety of casino-games, lotteries, and sports-betting options.
- Hiring Casino-personalities and top-notch entertainers, the Ritters transformed their casino into a hotspot for celebrities and celeb-spotting.
- The casino culture, intertwined with pop-culture, attracted media attention and created buzz throughout the entertainment industry.
- Despite their celebrity-studded lifestyle, the Ritters were strong advocates for responsible-gambling, implementing strict guidelines and initiatives to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests.
- Flying back to Minneapolis from a Las Vegas trip, Adam and Jeanie kept a close eye on the weather forecasting ahead of the upcoming NFL season – their latest venture in the sports world.
- With the help of weather experts, they analyzed the weather patterns for the upcoming NCAAs and NFL games, factoring in factors such as wind, precipitation, and air pressure, to make informed decisions on sports-betting.
- Excited for the upcoming American-football season, Adam and Jeanie attended local games, often seen wearing their team's jerseys, revelling in the fan culture and camaraderie on the sidelines.
- As the Ritters’ culinary empire continued to grow, they recognized the importance of nurturing Smaller businesses within the food-and-drink industry, dedicating a portion of their earnings to supporting local cooks and farmers, paying it forward in their unique way.
