Jens was born and raised in Sweden and studied engineering before entering the culinary field. He studied in Europe and graduated with honors in 1985 from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. Upon moving to Alaska, Chef Jens worked at The Crow’s Nest. In late 1995, he opened Southside Bistro, one of the most popular restaurants in Anchorage with a menu based on the philosophy of “Fresh Fun Food.”