Heidi Whitney-Schile

Chef Heidi Whitney-Schile boasts 17 years in Portland’s restaurant scene. After culinary school, she honed her French pastry skills at iconic bakeries like Crema and Pix Patisserie, and worked in high-volume kitchens such as Carafe Bistro and Bollywood Theater. In 2015, she launched a successful French brunch pop-up, Lavender & Thyme, and began teaching pastry classes. By 2017, she was heading the brunch and dinner programs at Old Salt Marketplace.

In 2018, Heidi moved to Pennsylvania to manage a large lodge restaurant, enhancing her expertise in running kitchens. She then returned to Portland in 2019, where her and her partner purchased Grain and Gristle then transformed it into a farm-to-table establishment known for its house-made dishes. Heidi decided to dive into the wine industry in 2023 where she began developing food and wine pairing programs for vineyards.

In her free time, Heidi enjoys gardening, beekeeping, CrossFit, and the outdoors. Her passion for local ingredients, farming, and wine enriches the Ambar team and elevates our guest experience.