Bello Cucina Owner Relishes Results of Favorite Chef Competition

(KNSI) – A local restaurant owner came oh so close to winning the Carla Hall’s Favorite Chef contest.

Bello Cucina’s Jason Mueller finished in the top 5% of over 4,000 entries, making it to the semifinal round. He says the results brought him unexpected joy.

“At this point in my career, as I look to retire here in ’26, I’ve accomplished most of my professional goals. It was kind of nice to be in something that got me excited again.”

Mueller says he had expanded to six restaurants at one point and it became so stressful he believes it contributed to his heart attack. Mueller’s last remaining location is in St. Joseph.

Mueller finished fourth in his semifinal grouping. At one point he was in first late into the voting last Wednesday. If he had won, Mueller wanted to set up an education fund to teach the next generation. He is still trying to do that.

“And now as I look back, and the contest is kind of over for me, I still am looking at how to set up that scholarship program, and might, actually, just do it within the four walls of the restaurant.”

Mueller says Bello Cucina was a wildly popular concept that helped bring quality, upscale dining options to small towns across Greater Minnesota. He believes there are a lot of lessons to teach from his story.

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