Sue Zelickson, a beloved Minnesota broadcaster, food writer and community champion who spent decades bringing people together through food and storytelling, has died at the age of 91.
Zelickson died August 7, 2026, at her home in Golden Valley, according to reports from the Minnesota Star Tribune and other Minnesota news outlets. Her death marks the loss of a woman whose influence reached across broadcasting, the culinary industry and the wider Minnesota community.
Born Sue Zipperman on September 13, 1934, she grew up in south Minneapolis and graduated from Washburn High School. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for two years before returning to Minnesota, where she later earned a degree in childhood education from the University of Minnesota.
Zelickson initially worked as a teacher before gradually moving into the worlds of food, journalism and broadcasting. Beginning in the 1970s, she became a familiar voice and face across the Twin Cities through her work on radio and television.
For 25 years, Zelickson hosted “Food for Thought” on WCCO Radio, establishing herself as a trusted voice on Minnesota’s food scene. She also contributed writing to publications including Mpls.St.Paul Magazine and Minnesota Monthly, using her platform to highlight chefs, restaurants, culinary professionals and emerging talent.
Her influence extended well beyond journalism. Zelickson founded the Charlie Awards, created Kids Cafe, and established Women Who Really Cook, initiatives that reflected her commitment to supporting the culinary community and creating opportunities for people whose work deserved greater recognition.
She became particularly known for championing women in Minnesota’s food industry and helping open doors for generations of culinary professionals. Her work created connections between people while giving emerging voices opportunities to be heard.
Zelickson’s contributions earned numerous honors throughout her career. She received a James Beard Award in 2005, was inducted into the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2015, and received an International Association of Culinary Professionals Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Zelickson was remembered for her ability to bring people together. Food, for her, was not simply about meals or recipes but about relationships, conversation and community.
She is survived by her sons, Barry and Brian Zelickson, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Services will be private.
For Minnesota’s culinary and broadcasting communities, Zelickson leaves behind a remarkable legacy built over decades. Through her work, advocacy and generosity, she helped shape the state’s food culture while encouraging others to find their own place within it. Her influence will continue through the people and institutions she supported and the generations of culinary professionals she helped inspire.
