Uptown Magazine December 2018

Pulse
HIS STYLE
THE SWEET SPOT
Chef Joshua Thompson has the recipe for a balanced look
BY BRITTANY MARONEY / PHOTO BY MARK MORGAN
The day is just dawning and chef Joshua
Thompson is already buttoned up in a crisp
chef coat, elbows deep in flour, creating
the newest batch of laminated viennoiserie
baked goods. Next up, a custom gelato.
As the director of operations at La
Grande Orange Bake Shop, Thompson’s
chef whites are more than just a uniform,
they are a snapshot of his personality and
a window into his personal sense of style.
Whether in jeans and a T-shirt or his work
attire, Thompson appreciates clean lines
and crisp tailoring.
From the kitchen to the streets, you’ll
find Thompson dressed in Massimo Dutti
with matching New Balance sneakers,
a leather wrist cuff and a dab of John
Varvatos when he’s headed out at night.
Thompson’s laid-back style and innate
confidence has made him a perfect fit for
LGO’s sweeter concepts. In addition to
recipe development and implementation,
he manages the profit and loss statement,
sales and logistics for their wholesale division,
and quality check on retail products.
“I knew that I could grow this company,
while growing with it. I was and I am
still able to make a personal impact with my
ideas and see them come to fruition.”
Favorite accessory: I finally broke down and
bought a smart watch; the new Galaxy. I was
afraid that I would be too attached to my phone
but it’s actually been helpful.
What is your No. 1 piece of style
advice? Find something that fits you and your
personality. You need to be comfortable in yourself
and what you wear. Your sense of style can
change, just like what you want for dessert. It
doesn’t always have to be the same thing.
What do you love about Phoenix? I have
been here for about 12 years and I have seen
lots of changes with new stores and great
restaurant concepts coming forward.
22 Uptown December '18