J.P. Samuelson is the chef and owner of jP American Bistro. JP and his wife Cheryl opened the Bistro in April, 2003. Samuelson's experience includes positions in Manhattan, where he worked at the prestigious Bouley from 1994-1996. Bouley, which received four star ratings from the New York Times for seven years in a row, sharpened JP's expertise in classic French cooking. He served as saucier, working closely with the legendary chef David Bouley. From 1993 to 1994 JP worked under noted chef Ed Brown at Tropica and Judson Grill, also in Manhattan.

Prior to moving to New York City, JP worked in Minneapolis at the acclaimed D'Amico Cucina in 1990, where his innate cooking talent and already broad experience quickly elevated him to the role of sous chef. He remained with Cucina through 1993 before heading East to work in New York City. After returning from New York JP and his wife Cheryl assisted Chris Paddock in opening Bobino in Northeast Minneapolis, he as head chef and Cheryl as front-of-house manager. After opening to record crowds and critical acclaim, the D'Amico brothers came calling.  In 1997 JP returned to his alma mater as Executive Chef.  After 3 years of success, J.P. was ready to open his own restaurant.  While writing a business plan and looking for a location, J.P. taught cooking classes at Cook's of Crocus Hill and the Arts Institute International. 

JP began professional cooking with this first jobs in high school. In 1988, by age 21, his experience had landed him the sous chef position at the now shuttered Loring Cafe, which he followed with two years as baker at Maison Guilbert, both in Minneapolis.

A lifelong student of food, JP was raised by a pastry chef mother, and his first memories include gathering eggs and gardening vegetables with his grandparents at the family farm in Northwest Iowa.  The farm has been in the Samuelson family since 1874.

JP is forty one years old, married, and proud father of ten year old daughter, Evie. He has studied at both the University of Wisconsin and University of Minnesota, and enjoys practicing yoga and biking when not spending time with his wife and daughter.