Charles Thompson, Sous Chef
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| Charles Thompson |
Accomplished chef Charles Thompson reunited with the culinary team at La Fonda’s highly praised La Plazuela restaurant as sous chef in 2008. Thompson had previously worked at La Fonda from 1993 through 2001, first as a line cook, then as an apprentice. During that time, Thompson completed the American Culinary Federation’s two-year apprentice program and was promoted to night sous chef.
In 2001, Thompson left La Fonda to join the acclaimed Geronimo restaurant in Santa Fe. Under the tutelage of executive chef Eric DiStefano, Thompson sharpened his skills, rising to prominence in the Santa Fe culinary scene. As the chef de cuisine at Geronimo, he earned a longstanding reputation for creating exemplary, memorable dishes produced from great inspiration and perfect integration. Food & Wine magazine once touted his imaginative recipes, writing: “Chef Charles Thompson’s globally inspired southwestern cuisine can be brazen at times; he’s known to pair unlikely flavors.”
In fact, Thompson has won several awards for his innovative combinations. He was chosen Apprentice of the Year by the American Culinary Federation’s (ACF) Santa Fe Chapter in 1997. The following year he was selected Chef of the Year by the same organization. And, he has won three bronze medals at the ACF’s Western Region competition.
Born and raised in Santa Fe, Thompson’s passion for food was ignited at a young age in his mother’s kitchen, where he learned to cook the savory dishes of her homeland, the Philippines. He later helped out in his uncle’s bakery when he visited his mother’s home country.
Working under executive chef Lane Warner, Thompson helps create menus and oversees meal preparation at La Plazuela, an enclosed courtyard restaurant, which is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The culinary team also creates catering and banquet menus, and provides a room service menu, which is available daily from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., for the 167-room hotel.
Located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at the end of the historic Santa Fe Trail, La Fonda Hotel is a member of the National Trust Historic Hotels of America. One of the oldest hotels in the country—and the only one situated on the city's downtown Plaza—La Fonda has retained its historic Santa Fe ambiance while acquiring all of the modern amenities. It has 167 uniquely decorated guest rooms and suites, including 14 luxury rooms built around a rooftop garden, and more meeting space than any other Santa Fe hotel. Further information is available at www.lafondasantafe.com; for reservations, call 800-523-5002.
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