Foodie Guide

Meet The Chef
Jesse Thompson

Born and raised in Greenville, SC, Thompson started in the restaurant industry with his first job at age 15. His passion for hospitality grew and, in 2003, he graduated from the Greenville Technical College Culinary Arts program. Thompson has been with Table 301 Restaurant Group since 2003. After working at Soby's New South Cuisine, he joined the culinary team that opened Restaurant O in May of that year, working under Executive Chef Rodney Friedank. He was promoted to Sous Chef in 2006 and in February 2007 was promoted to Chef de Cuisine to take over the responsibilities of day-to-day operations in the kitchen. Thompson likes to use global flavors, modern techniques and exotic ingredients to create his own version of Modern American cuisine. His desire to please and excite every customer shows in his non-traditional flavor combinations and contemporary presentations.

Featured Recipe: Ricotta Gnocchi

Meet The Manager
Bruce Wise

Bruce Wise brings twenty years of hospitality experience and a host of regional cuisine knowledge to his job as General Manager of Table 301 Restaurant Group’s, Restaurant O. After attending college in the middle of Oregon wine country, Bruce drove cross-country to begin his hospitality career in a fast paced saloon in our nation's capital. Clyde’s was a popular bar and eatery in a fashionable area of Georgetown. Wise's focus shifted to fine dining as he moved to Newport, Rhode Island and worked at the historic White Horse Tavern and The Clarke Cooke House. From there, he went south to Key West and the Floridian cuisine of Louie’s Backyard. After four years in Key West, Bruce’s hobby of saltwater fly fishing led to the opportunity to move to a private island in the Bahamas to run an up-scale Bonefishing Resort called The Deep Water Cay Club. He remained there for four years. Wanting a return to the states, Wise joined the staff at The Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michael’s, Maryland and then moved to The St. Michaels Harbour Inn, Marina and Spa, where he served as Food and Beverage Director and was then promoted to General Manager. Now married with two young girls, a Google search for, "Great Places to Raise a Family" led to his discovery of Greenville, South Carolina and then to the Table 301 Restaurant Group. Wise serves as General Manager at Restaurant O and can be found in the dining room nightly.