THOMAS WRIGHT
COO, THEE JT FOOD VENTURES
CO-OWNER, Eleven Forty Nine

Thomas Wright’s 25-plus year career in culinary arts and long history at Johnson & Wales University has earned him national recognition as an industry expert.

Among his many accomplishments, Tom is a member of the honorable Order of the Golden Toque Society, recipient of the American Culinary Federation President’s Award, MVP Presidential Award and Antonin Careme Medal, along with several awards from the Society of Food Service Management. Tom has also served as James Beard judge for more than a decade.

Throughout his career, he has held distinguished positions at Johnson & Wales University including Senior Vice President of Development, Vice President of Culinary Arts and Dean of the College of Culinary Arts. Under his leadership, the university’s College of Culinary Arts established its foundation as a culinary Mecca. Tom was the youngest appointed dean in Johnson & Wales University history and developed the famed “Cooking with Class” and “Dean of Cuisine” cooking shows. Tom worked in conjunction with the Secret Service on several presidential inaugural celebrations and high-profile events.

Tom is Chief Operating Officer of Thee JT Food Ventures and co-owner and president of Eleven Forty Nine. Since 1980, Tom has been a principal for Thee Food Service Consultants, a group that provides strategic product development, training, layout, design and brand positioning to restaurants, night clubs and fortune 500 companies throughout the country.

He is affiliated with dozens of professional industry organizations including the National Restaurant Association, American Culinary Federation, American Culinary Federation/RI Chapter, Les Amis d’Escoffier Society and Society of American Cuisine, to name a few. He also created the Citizen of the Year initiative for the March of Dimes. Tom lives in Narragansett, Rhode Island with his wife, Rita. They have two daughters, Alexandria and Erica.