Get to know us!
Likes
Long Lunches with friends or family, passionate people, fire pits, Leeds United!
Dislikes
Neon, cheap plates, hellman’s mayonnaise (the devil incarnated)
Death Row Dinner
Snacks from the Frog By Adam Handling (best pre-dinner snacks ever). My Spanish Grandma's Cured Meats to start with perello olives (the godfathers of olives). My Mum's lasagne for main course. Dessert has to be an Affogato. Amazing coffee and the best vanilla ice cream - always a good idea!
Favourite JGC Event
We turned the Emirates Cable Car into a restaurant for the evening to launch my cookbook. As the first people to ever do so we were obviously nervous, but it was so satisfying knowing that all the hard work was worth it when guests were blown away and a really proud moment with all of my friends, family, loyal followers and suppliers present
Jimmy Garcia - Founder and Creative Director
Likes
Rose in magnums (or any wine in magnums to be fair), friendly, proactive waiting staff, Norfolk
Dislikes
Bar staff in theatres or restaurants who take an interminable time to serve simple drinks, drizzle
Death Row Dinner
Heritage beetroot with goat’s curd and candied pecans, osso buco and risotto milanese. The Wolseley vanilla cheesecake
Favourite JGC Event
A wedding at Belvoir Castle in Lincolnshire. 300 guests with the reception and dinner in the castle. Our kitchen was in the salon, overlooked by a Holbein portrait and brunch was served besides the lake the next day
Richard Groves - Chairman
Likes
Sunshine and swimming pools, rosé, East London, 90s hip hop and French bulldogs
Dislikes
Smoked salmon and rain.
Death Row Dinner
I would start with steamed pork dumplings, specifically from Dragon Express, a Chinese takeaway near where I grew up in Queens. For main it would be steak tartare from Leroy in Shoreditch (RIP), fries and Rochelle Canteen's green salad. For dessert, a scoop of Ben & Jerry's Minterwonderland ice cream.
Favourite JGC Event
It would have to be the World Economic Forum in Davos; the most intense, exhausting and exciting event I have ever experienced.
Alana Buckley - Managing Director
Coming soon…
Bertie Woodhead - Managing Director of Jimmy’s Pop Ups
Likes
Trying new restaurants. If you've got any recommendations let me know!
Dislikes
Fish
Death Row Dinner
Burrata to start with an assortment of tomatoes, basil pesto, grilled peaches, aubergine caponata, freshly sliced Jamon, fresh baguettes! Main - steak with homemade bearnaise, triple cooked chips, and a side of creamed spinach. Dessert - Gateau St Honore - puff pastry base with creme diplomat filled profiteroles dipped in crunchy caramel and finished with even more creme diplomat - heaven!
Favourite JGC Event
A joint 18th and 50th circus-themed birthday we arranged. It had a big top, helter-skelter, real lions and a hell of an entertainment line up! We catered for 400 with a menu that included gold glitter-covered potatoes (a special request from the client). The walk-in freezer power was turned off by security at night melting all the ice cream for the knickerbocker glories!! Sourcing 140 litres of ice cream and sorbet from around the Gloucestershire countryside became the challenge of the day, but we did it!
Alex Lees - Executive Chef
Likes
Puppies, skiing, sweets, Florence and the machine
Dislikes
Hot drinks, horror films, being late
Death Row Dinner
Open with an aperol spritz. For starters, soft shell crab bao bun. Mains - a traditional Swiss fondue with lots of cornichons and charcuterie and for dessert, an ice cream buffet with ALL the toppings!
Favourite JGC Event
Cannes ILTM 2019
Abbie Crowther - Head Chef
Likes
French cheese, English wine!
Dislikes
Likes and dislikes lists - too much pressure to appear interesting!
Death Row Dinner
The entire menu at St John's Restaurant
Favourite JGC Event
Davos World Economic Forum
Barry Wibling - Sous Chef
Likes
Christmas, Glastonbury, Skiing, AFC Wimbledon
Dislikes
Diet Coke, a messy work station, ironing
Death Row Dinner
Starter - Chicken liver parfait, fig chutney, brioche toast
Main - Tonkotsu Ramen, preferably from Ivan Ramen NYC
Dessert - A classic lemon tart
Favourite JGC Event
In January 2023 we did a 3 day wedding in the Scottish highlands. The food and production was incredible. Specifically the Scottish seafood, sourced very close to the wedding venue itself.
Tom Crowther - Sous Chef
Coming soon…
Ryan Lawlor - Chef de Partie
Likes
Dark chocolate, lemon basil sorbet and of course a nice raclette. There’s many more I could list but they won’t be able to fit on this page!
Dislikes
This might offend a lot of people but fish and chips are overrated… I do eat everything else though
Death Row Dinner
My partners Carribean oxtail butter bean stew
Favourite JGC Event
The showcase event we did at Banqueting House. Incredible
Hugo Penel-Page - Head Pastry Chef
Likes
Good food really, a big fan of meat and desserts. Fish and vegetables are also welcome, but throw me a nice meat or fish dish and we’ll get on
Dislikes
I’m not allergic to these ones but we just don’t get on mushrooms and funny sea creatures such as oysters, octopus, squids, lobsters etc
Death Row Dinner
Bavette steak with garlic and herb sauce, buttered baby potatoes and grilled baby plum tomatoes and yes this is a real deal
Favourite JGC Event
Quad 2023, Epic
Chris Iwondo - Pastry Sous Chef
Likes
Coffee and walks with friends on the common, trying independent restaurants, travelling, but most importantly our office dogs!
Dislikes
People standing directly in front of the tube / train doors when your trying to get off!!
Death Row Dinner
Starter: Cheese and Charcuterie board
Main: Ivan Orkins Tonkotsu Ramen
Dessert: Our JGC Pastry Teams Tiramisu
Favourite JGC Event
I am fortunate to say I actually have to many to choose from! But two in particular to highlight are Creative Heads Most Wanted Awards 2024 and the first every Sky Arts Awards at Roundhouse.
Jo Furber - Senior Sales Manager
Likes
Holidays by the beach. Actually, holidays in general!
Dislikes
Flying, even though I travel a lot!
Death Row Dinner
Pizza and tiramisu, like a true Italian *insert hand gesture here*!!
Favourite JGC Event
A corporate party where our chefs cooked on an open fire with the stunning background of the Tower of London
Valeria Carboni - Senior Sales Manager
Likes
Love my coffee machine! Eating, drinking at The NoMad (a Sergeant Pepper), any pastry from the Connaught patisserie or the art space at Claridge’s
Dislikes
Creased, unsteamed linen. Square cloths on round tables
Death Row Dinner
Hoppers Marylebone: Mutton Rolls + SL Hot Sauce, Lamb Kari, Rice & Two Roti. Oh and a Crème London White Chocolate and Miso Cookie.
Favourite JGC Event
Canva Design & Dine at the Design Museum.
James Green - Senior Sales Manager
Coming soon…
Ellie Wallace - Senior Sales Manager
Likes
Eating out at new restaurants, running, Arsenal, all animals particularly dogs, horses and cows, nice wines, a pint in a Northern (very important) countryside pub either by the fire or out in the sunny beer garden, skiing when there's loads of fresh snow and obviously raclette, just going on holiday in general, London in summer and at Christmas time, Christmas in general, festivals and 80s music!
Dislikes
Not much, but spiders and negative people
Death Row Dinner
The whole dishoom menu!
Favourite JGC Event
Probably the World Economic Forum in Davos!
Holly Westwood-Hearn - Sales and Events Manager
Likes
Aperol spritz, cheese strings, people praising me, room temp coca cola
Dislikes
Lemon in my coca cola
Death Row Dinner
Tangy cheese doritos, melted cheese, jalapenos and a sour cream and chive dip (yes I am being serious)
Favourite JGC Event
We did an amazing wedding with Katrina Otter – I loved every minute of it! It’s always fun going to Davos for the world economic forum.
Kiera Green - Head of Operations
Likes
Spin classes, surfing, wine, being on a boat somewhere hot!
Dislikes
Jam, being stuck in traffic, being late
Death Row Dinner
Tapas – so I can have a little bit of everything!
Favourite JGC Event
3 day wedding we did in the Scottish Highlands. Food Stations, 5 course dinner, ceremony up a mountain and the marquee being transformed overnight from Jazz nightclub to all white wedding dream. Was definitely one to remember!
Annie Griffin - Senior Operations Manager & Creative Lead
Likes
Dancing on tables, my water bottle, the overhead light being on (controversial, I know), my iPad, and a good glass of red wine with the girls.
Dislikes
Walking slowly (even on a Sunday), slippery surfaces, being cold, and people being rude to waiters at restaurants.
Death Row Dinner
A little nibble to start: a big bowl of salted crisps (preferably Lay’s), followed by an appetizer of any kind of arancini or croquette. Now for the main (hold on tight — it’s about to get rogue): chicken and avocado nigiri, the pork chop Milanese from Bancone, a juicy filet mignon (medium rare, of course) with flaky salt on the side, my mom’s potato salad, and some form of pasta (ideally a carbonara or ragù), with a traditional Greek salad to top it all off. For dessert: a chocolate lava cake, Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food or Chocolate Fudge Brownie, and a bowl of homemade popcorn, buttered and salted to perfection.
Favourite JGC Event
I love some of the private themed events we do. Getting to dress up and watch the space transform into an elaborate theme is always spectacular. It’s also great to have flexibility and freedom with service, and to see guests’ faces light up when they realize the theatrics of it all.
Jodie Mitchell - Operations Manager
Likes
Champagne, black coffee, sleep, mushrooms and salted caramel
Dislikes
Salmon, cold chips, beans in a ramekin, a roast dinner without cauliflower cheese and yorkshires
Death Row Dinner
Garlic Mushrooms to start, Steak Bearnaise, with thick cut chips and creamed spinach and for pud - Sticky toffee pudding and custard.
Favourite JGC Event
Sky Arts at the Roundhouse was really cool and creative
Jo Campbell - Head of Marketing
Likes
Hanging out with my pet rabbit, my hometown in the countryside, animals, chocolate, and the sun.
Dislikes
Cheese in a burger/cheese sandwiches/cheesy pasta (but I love cheese toasties/pizza/lasagne/
cheese on its own… make it make sense).
Death Row Dinner
Starter: Beefy Boys burger and Bacon Fries. Main: My mum’s roast dinner - with unlimited pigs in blankets. Dessert: A bowl of melted Galaxy chocolate and a spoon.
Favourite JGC Event
I was lucky enough to attend a private party we catered, featuring an amazing, intimate performance by a global megastar!
Ellie Hickey - Marketing Executive
Likes
Very good food, Sea swims, running, skiing on a sunny day with plenty of snow, a pint of Guinness and pack of pork scratchings in the perfect countryside pub next to a fire.
Dislikes
People who walk slowly in London, staying in a city too long, being let down by a bad meal that was supposed to be very good
Death Row Dinner
Starter: Prawn Pil Pil with the perfect garlicky, buttery, oily sauce and a hint of spice. Served with a side of crusty bread and one Oyster with shallot vinegar and dash of Tabasco. Main: Fresh white fish served with plenty of lemon, with a side of greek salad, and home cooked chips with plenty of salt and Tzatziki to dip (ideally sat in a Greek taverna next to the sea?) Dessert: The perfect Tiramisu.
Favourite JGC Event
?
Lili Daw - Social Media Manager
Likes
Long hikes in the great outdoors, red wine, cheese, hanging out with my wife and grown up daughters, spotify
Dislikes
Rushing for anything, reality TV and little or no alcohol free beer selections in bars (it's the 21st century for god's sake, and there's so many good ones!)
Death Row Dinner
An Old fashioned to open, A baked camembert with french bread starter, a burger that will have to be topped with some brisket, blue cheese and black pudding, something chocolate and caramel loaded for dessert and another old-fashioned to finish - it's not a time to be dieting...
Favourite JGC Event
In 2013 I enjoyed the most perfect team Xmas lunch at one of Jimmy's first popups in the basement of a wine shop in Clapham. It was a beautiful mix of brilliant people and amazing food ( that incredible smoked mac and cheese featured!) and no-one wanted it to end. Now I find myself working at Jimmy's and I still love the excitement that comes with the opening of our popups in particular.
Simon Dornan - Sustainability Lead
Likes
Dark chocolate, coffee, to meditate, neuroscience and the list continues…
Dislikes
People who over promise and under deliver
Death Row Dinner
My mum's food (sarmale cu mamaliga) - minced meat with rice wrapped in sauerkraut served with polenta; brownies, coffee cakes
Favourite JGC Event
?
Vali Mocanu - Accounts Manager
Likes
Rugby, skiing, Cornish beaches, dogs
Dislikes
Coffee, tea, wine, cheating in sports and over the top theatrical people!
Death Row Dinner
Skip starter! Main - a quality burger - brioche bun, juicy meat, bacon, cheese, sticky onion relish, sweet potato fries, pudding - sticky toffee pudding with vanilla icecream, wash it all down with an Oreo milkshake!!
Favourite JGC Event
On the rare occasions they let me out of the warehouse I enjoy all our events! Seeing all the planning and work put in executed to the highest of levels is a joy to see. Shout out to the whole office team and the chefs who always deliver!!
Cam Lees - Warehouse Manager
Likes
Cheese, viennoiserie, toast
Dislikes
Leaving a walk on Wimbledon Common too early, having my paws washed after a muddy walk
Death Row Dinner
To start, a croissant from The Lockdown Bakery in Wandsworth Old Town, then a nice crunchy bone treat with any hard English cheese to finish
Favourite JGC Event
Every time I come into the office is an event for me - I love that everyone wants to stroke me!
Bailey Groves - Chief Happiness Officer
