About

Jim Wood is the Executive Chef and Co-owner of Applewood Kitchen and Bar in Greenville, Michigan. He is classically trained in French cuisine, which he adapts to New American offerings, primarily cooking with wood and fire. Jim is passionate about bringing something completely new to town and feels humbled in his attempt to serve exciting food to this community.

Jim was born and raised in Michigan and he first worked as a line cook at a small diner when he was in high school. It was there he discovered the chaos of the kitchen and enjoyed everything that came along with it. After years of working in positions in both front and back of the house, he ended up north in Bellaire, Michigan. His first professional chef position was running the kitchen at Shorts Brewery, one of the first microbreweries to open in the area, shortly after they opened.

He went on to attend Schoolcraft College to achieve his Culinary Arts degree in Livonia. He later received his BAS with an emphasis in Hospitality from Madonna University.

After graduating, Jim was Executive Chef at Sanctuary Ranch in Stanwood, Michigan where he had been Executive Chef for 14 seasons. Wood also during that time became the Chef for the “Michigan Out of Doors” television series. In 2014, he became the Executive Chef and eventual Co-owner of Antlers Fireside Grill and CL Pizza Co., also in Stanwood. Jim left Antlers in May 2021 to pursue his dream of owning, operating, and having complete creative control of his menu and space. That is now Wood Shop Social in Mt. Pleasant. 

In the Spring of 2023, Jim met Mike and April Petersen through a mutual friend. Mike and April owned Frugthaven Farm and wanted to put a full-service restaurant and bar in the 15,000-square-foot building that already existed on the orchard. The three of them instantly knew they could build something great and it all started with a name…Applewood Kitchen and Bar would be a place where the community can come together and “break bread.” A place to eat, drink, be merry, and be social. Where human beings are treated like human beings.

Later that summer, Jim asked one of his employees who had been with him since the opening of Wood Shop Social to come along for the ride. Ali Jones joined the team the following January as the General Manager of Applewood Kitchen and Bar. 

After a grueling year of everything that comes with the opening of a restaurant, they opened the doors to the public on February 26, 2025.

Applewood Kitchen and Bar brings guest-focused hospitality to the Greenville area and aims to get better every day.