– Blending the past with the present since 2016 –

[ Zerelda’s Bistro story]

chef ABBY

Chef Abby Laforce Barnett was born in Washington and raised in Juneau, Alaska. Abby studied and graduated with a degree in journalism from University of Oregon. Chef Abby worked professionally as a cooking teacher at a James Beard Award Winning cooking school in Eugene, OR. Chef Abby worked and created partnerships with chefs across the country during her time at the cooking school. After gaining experiences, Abby returned to Juneau, Alaska where she owned and operated a catering company for 9+ years which catered to local business across town and across Alaska. Chef Abby sought more out of her culinary career, which led to opening Zerelda’s Bistro.

Zerelda’s Bistro

Zerelda’s Bistro is named after Abby’s grandma Zerelda, a wonderful cook, mother, and grandmother, whose food inspired and enriched her culinary upbringing.

Grandma Zerelda’s wholesome heartfelt cooking taught us that bringing family together with food is the best nourishment for the soul. Childhood memories invoke the smell of fresh baked bread, watching Zerelda’s rough hard-working hands gently rolling crusts for fresh-picked blackberry cobblers, chicken n’ dumplings and green beans with bacon bubbling away on the stove, while she gently swayed, singing softly all the while. We strive to keep Grandma Zerelda’s memory alive through our cuisine and honoring her with our namesake. We love and miss her everyday!

CHEF JEREMY

Chef Jeremy Barnett was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. Jeremy joined the army in 2000 with an honorable discharge in 2005 leaving him in Oahu, Hawaii. Being in Hawaii led Jeremy to find his spark for cooking at Roy’s Waikiki working as a line cook. Jeremy moved to California to pursue culinary school at the Art Institute in Santa Ana. In California, Jeremy joined the Roy’s Anaheim location where he was an established line cook and grill cook. After receiving his education in culinary and baking arts, Jeremy moved to Pennsylvania to open and operate his BBQ Food Truck. In 2016 Jeremy moved to Juneau and opened Zerelda’s Bistro with Abby.

Zombie BarbECUE + ZERELDA’s Bistro

In 2016, Zerelda’s Bistro and Zombie Barbecue partnered together at their first location at the ‘lil old house off Glacier Hwy in Juneau, Alaska. The restaurant is a result of their combined passion for bold flavors and comfort food, Abby’s Filipino American heritage, Jeremy’s passion for all things barbeque, and most importantly embracing their culinary roots.

Zerelda’s Bistro Media