French Chef Philippe Thomelin has over 20 years of culinary experience, working and living in renowned travel destinations.  Growing up in France and then living a number of years in his adopted-homeland Spain, Chef Thomelin became even more passionate about the Mediterranean-style cuisine and wine.

Chef Thomelin studied at the Curnonsky Culinary School in the Loire Valley of Saumur, France.  He has worked in the kitchens of the two-star Michelin restaurant Amandier de Mougins on the Riviera in the south of France; Chalet du Mont d’Arbois, a four-star luxury Relais et Chateau in Megeve, France; The Wildflower at The Lodge at Vail in Vail, Colorado; Daphne's in London, England; Restaurant Portofino and his own tapas bar in Andalucia, Spain, where he lived for 10-years.  

Upon arriving in Seattle in 2002, Chef Thomelin was Executive Sous-Chef at Il Terrazzo Carmine, then joined Cascadia Restaurant as Sous-Chef under Chef Kerry Sear.  In 2006, he opened his own private catering company, Olive Tree Catering, specializing in private dinner parties, corporate receptions, weddings, and cooking classes featuring Mediterranean cuisine.

His talent and professionalism have also made him a popular choice to assist at other local restaurants, including Rover's, The Harvest Vine, Madison Park Cafe and Voila Bistrot.

Chef Thomelin lives in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle with his wife, Toni, who works at Amazon.com, and their two young daughters, Maëlle and Isabelle.