Local Effort
Obsessively local since 2022 — because it’s healthier, tastier, and better for Minnesota.
Our Story
Weston is from all over, and Catherine is from Minneapolis. We're chefs and married parents, lifelong restaurant and hospitality professionals, home cooks from the heart.
Weston did it like this:
coffee> food runner> wine> management> kitchen
Catherine did it like this:
coffee> restaurant> patisserie> grocery> mom>>>
We're a knockout team of widely experienced kitchen professionals. We love platters and cassoulets and juleps and celery and croque monsieur and white rice, we love vegetables and meats and grain and nuts and grapes and HAZELNUTS and ducks and lamb and the weird great awesome people who make them and keep making them. We love meeting our growers. We love living in an city where shopping locally is valued and not hard to do.
We feel strongly about choosing food grown and produced closer to home. It's a duty, and a gift, and it's at the center of our practice and culture. We're the realest people make the localest food.
At a glance
- Founded in 2022
- Based in Minneapolis, MN
- 100% locally sourced focus
What We Do
We bring Minnesota-grown ingredients into everyday meals and special events.
Foods we specialize in
- Seasonal vegetables and composed salads
- Fresh pastas, grains, and hearty soups
- Local, from-scratch pizzas
- Thoughtful braises and shared plates
- Breads and simple, elegant desserts
Services we offer
- Meal planning and nutrition support for families
- Sourcing and shopping directly from Minnesota producers
- Catering and events built around local ingredients
- Completely local pizzas — our specialty
In the kitchen
No photos found.
At events
No photos found.
Meet the Chefs
Weston Smith
Began in coffee in Portland, trained in fine dining in New York, opened Weston Fine Foods (a chocolate shop in the North Loop during the pandemic), and has been focused on Local Effort since 2022.
Catherine Olsen
Born and raised in Minneapolis. A skilled baker with a lifelong career in food, including Wuollet Bakery, Lucia’s, and Churchill Street. She brings warmth, craft, and deep local roots to our kitchen.
What We Value
We care about flavor and nutrition in equal measure. We cook with care, spend with purpose, and look for long-term relationships — with families who invite us in, and with producers who grow the food we serve.
Principles
- Celebrating home cooks
- Supporting family nutrition
- Spending with local producers
- Collaborating with Minnesota organizations
- Sharing and shaping Minnesota food culture
What We Mean by Local
“Local” is more than a trend for us — it’s the backbone of how we cook and shop. We prioritize Minnesota-grown ingredients, plan menus around the seasons, and maintain relationships with small producers so we can tell you where your food comes from.
How we apply it
- Minnesota-first sourcing; regional when sensible
- Seasonal menus; preserve when possible
- Direct relationships with farms and mills
- Reasonable exceptions for essentials (e.g., spices)
- Transparency: ask us about any ingredient
Why Work With Us
Clients trust us for our professional experience, pride in ingredients, and equal care for nutrition and flavor. We keep presentation humble, but our food — and our commitment to your happiness — is anything but.
Let’s Cook Something Local
We’d love to bring Minnesota-grown food to your table or event.