Wendy Thompson − strive for the highest quality, consistency and standards
Chef Wendy Thompson graduated from a 4 year apprenticeship at the Gordon Institute of Technology in Victoria, Australia in 1996, where she had been privileged to train under the prestigious Australian Sol Culinare team.
Following this, Wendy´s first appointment was at the 5* exclusive Pacific Ocean Resorts in Australia; namely Badarra and Dunk Island resorts. Based on the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland and refuge for many an A list celebrity, Wendy oversaw the fine dining operation and the on-site Italian restaurant.
After several successful years, Wendy moved onto the 5.5 star Cairns Hotel where she was responsible for not only the fine dining operation but the hotel´s Asian restaurant which enabled her to further develop her appreciation and refine her expertise in regional authentic Asian cuisine. One of Wendy´s infamous trademarks from her appointment there was in creating innovative dishes incorporating native ‘bush’ ingredients into the menus.
With a desire to broaden her global culinary experience, Wendy moved to the UK in 2000 where she joined up with several leading brewery firms notably Bass, Mitchells & Butlers and later Chef & Brewer. Aside from menu development, Wendy had to constantly balance the quality of the offering alongside maximisation of cost efficiencies throughout the operation, and to smoothly manage a high volume of covers.
With a desire to get back to developing ‘real food from scratch’, Wendy and her husband Justin who served under the illustrious Marco Pierre White decided to purchase their own premises and transform a traditional country restaurant into a stylish Gastro Pub. Their dream became a reality in March 2005 when they purchased the Jinnie Inn in Burton-on-Trent. The ever changing menu which focuses on incorporating local seasonal produce is best described as ‘classic favourites with a twist’. Now Wendy´s time is split between the Jinnie Inn, studying for a diploma as a pastry chef, and lending her global food experience to Beetroot & Orange.
Wendy´s forte lies predominantly with patisserie and the cuisines of Asia and Australia.