New executive chef Whitney Thomas in the dining room of 5Church. Photo by Jonathan Cooper

Whitney Thomas, former chef de cuisine at 5Church, has been promoted to executive chef at the restaurant.

The restaurant is owned by former executive chef Jamie Lynch, Alejandro Torio, and Patrick Whalen. They also own a 5Church location in Charleston and Sophia’s Lounge, a cocktail bar in the Ivey’s Hotel around the corner from 5Church Charlotte.

Thomas has worked at 5Church since late 2017 as chef de cuisine after moving over from the kitchen at Fahrenheit.

“Whitney is an exceptional leader who has partnered real talent with a relentless work ethic,” Whalen says.

See her post announcing her new title below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Received some pretty awesome news….promotion to Executive Chef at 5Church Charlotte. Looking back at the road it took to get here; dropping out of college to pursue this dream, starting from the bottom and working through the ranks to the top. Being told no because you didn’t have the culinary school education but had the drive and the work ethic. Missed family holidays, birthdays, vacations, it’s all worth it now. Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout my career, to the ones that mentored me and helped me grow. Thank you for the ones who recognized my potential and gave me opportunities. I even say thank you to the ones doubted me and told me no. Because you said no it fueled my fire, made me go harder not to prove something to you but because I knew I had it in me no matter the doubts. Thank u @patwhalennc @chefjamielynch @alejandrotorio for the opportunity to work for such a great company and be able to now lead the kitchen at @5churchcharlotte and keep building on what you guys started. Now it’s time to keep pushing to the next level. #cltdining #clteats #cltfood #5churchcharlotte #eatat5church #meetusat5church #thereisonlywe #cheflife #truecooks #foodporn #blackculinaryexpo #blackchef #blackchefs #blackchefsrock #blackchefsmatter #blackchefsnetwork #blackculinaryartist #oneofakindchefs #cltchefs #charlottenc #charlottefood #chefsofinstagram #chefsplateform #plateswagger #theartofplating #flavorbombs #justcallmechef #blackwomenchefs #chef_whit

A post shared by Whitney Thomas (@chefwhitneythomas) on Mar 20, 2019 at 5:43pm PDT

Thomas has been an under-the-radar talent in town, and deserving of the promotion. At a recent Soul Food Sessions dinner, her course of smoked venison loin with a cranberry mostarda, caramelized clementine, truffle sunchoke purée and pistachio crumble over wilted kale was impressive. Her promotion to executive chef marks the only black female we can think of to hold the position at a fine dining restaurant in town, an important step forward for the culinary scene.

Lynch will continue to oversee kitchen operations for all of the restaurants under the 5Church umbrella. —Kristen Wile