Between opening a new restaurant in downtown Stillwater and spending time on the national stage (as a winner on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” and a contestant on the latest season of Bravo’s “Top Chef”), chef Justin Sutherland has had a stellar year and a lot on his plate.

And the momentum isn’t slowing anytime soon: He and a local hospitality group announced Friday that Sutherland is taking over all eight of its St. Paul restaurants.

Sutherland and restaurateur Pat Conroy have been named managing partners of Madison Restaurant Group, the hospitality outfit behind eight St. Paul restaurants: Handsome Hog, Eagle Street, Fitzgerald’s, Public Kitchen, Green Lantern, OxCart, Ox Rooftop and Gray Duck.

Sutherland and Conroy have a history with the Madison group. Sutherland is executive chef at Handsome Hog. Conroy runs Muddy Cow, Muddy Chicken and Muddy Cantina restaurants across the metro, and some of his restaurants are in buildings owned by the Madison group.

“It is time for us to transition to a younger group of managers who can lead our restaurant group through a changing food service environment in St. Paul,” said Madison Equities owner Jim Crockarell in a news release. “The restaurant business requires young, energetic workers, and Pat and Justin are two of the best in the business.”

Madison Equities, one of the largest holders of real estate in Ramsey County, will continue as owners of the restaurant spaces, and Madison Restaurant Group will continue to be a division of the company, while Sutherland and Conroy own the restaurants. Carol March, who has been the president of Madison Restaurant Group, is taking on a new role as an executive with the Madison Equities Real Estate Group.

In a phone interview, Sutherland said having already successful restaurants and a solid team in place made it easy for him to take the leap into a management role. Donald Gonzalez will stay on as culinary director of Madison Restaurant Group, and each of the restaurants will continue to be run by individual executive chefs.

“Now that these restaurants have been set up and established, there’s a quality group of existing restaurants that we just want to continue to help move forward. It was more a passing the torch,” Sutherland said. “We have phenomenal chefs, and my plan is to let them do what they do. They already have successful restaurants. I’m just broadening my horizons from chef to restaurateur. The plan is not to put my stamp on these restaurants from a culinary perspective, but to put my stamp on things from a business perspective.”

Sutherland said that his and Conroy’s paths have crossed over the years and that he’s looking forward to working with him again. “In a different life, I was a music and events promoter, and Pat had a couple of bars and hired me to book music, comedy, bingo and music nights,” he said. “Pat has a good track record of making businesses successful. His restaurants have good food and are fun places. And I have more of the formal restaurant dining experience.”

In regard to tweaks, Sutherland said some of the restaurants may get conceptual and design updates, but others are already established and won’t require noticeable changes.

“There’s nothing we’re ready to announce immediately. For now, we’re just going to get our heads around a new venture and perform to the best of our ability,” he said. “We want to make sure the staff and patrons continue to feel comfortable in the spaces.”

In addition to his role at Handsome Hog, Sutherland has gained further experience as co-owner of Pearl & The Thief, which is not affiliated with Madison Restaurant Group. He opened the downtown Stillwater restaurant earlier this year with business partner Joe Pirri.

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Nashville Coop food truck sets up bricks-and-mortar shop in St. Paul Sutherland said he’s looking forward to an expanding presence in the Saintly City. “I love St. Paul. I couldn’t have imagined a better place to have done this,” he said. “It’s where it all started for me. It’s where I eat. It’s where I drink. St. Paul has been my home. The more I can become a part of that community is very important to me.”

Sutherland and Conroy will take over the restaurants at the beginning of the year. Meanwhile, if you’re looking to see Sutherland in action, the next season of Bravo’s “Top Chef” in which he is a contestant debuts Thursday.