Chef/Owner Ross Midgley

Raised in Prince Edward Island, Ross grew up around hospitality. His mother absolutely hated the kitchen but was, nonetheless, a consummate entertainer and from a young age Ross learned the intricacies of hosting a good party. In retrospect, it is no surprise that after university and stints in teaching, small business and banking Ross was 'born again' and returned to his Island home to attend The Culinary Institute of Canada.

Upon completing his formal training, Ross came back to Ontario where he has worked in several fine dining restaurants including The Globe, The Tiara Dining Room at Queen's Landing, and Hillebrand Estates Winery Restaurant. For the past four years Ross has been the Executive Chef for Zees at The Shaw Club Hotel where he was awarded the prestigious CAA/AAA Four Diamond Award every year for dining and service excellence.

Recognizing the importance of always learning new things, Ross has also spent a good deal of time on 'stage' including placements in such restaurants as the Relais Gourmande L'Eau à la Bouche and Toqué in Quebec and a six month Externship in Hampshire, England at the exclusive Chewton Glen (1 star Michelin).

Ross' love of food is equaled only by his love for good rock'n'roll. 'Ultimately both are about entertainment' he says. The only love more profound for him is that which he feels for his family. Ross' wife Wendy is a qualified Sommelier and fellow 'foodie', and his three boys Hunter, Graham, and Luke are 'obviously going to be rock stars who cook well'.

Opening The Kitchen House at Peninsula Ridge is a dream come true for Ross and Wendy. The opportunity to offer elegant cuisine with outstanding Niagara wines in such a stunningly beautiful setting has been well worth the wait. Welcome

Dining Room Manager/Owner Wendy Midgley

Wendy's love for food and wine come by honestly through her family. Wendy's Mom, an excellent cook, her Father's passion for fine wine and food, an older sister who is a chef and being raised in elegant restaurants it was hard to avoid the hospitality industry!

Wendy started working in restaurants part-time through high school and ultimately as a career working her way up the ladder in all positions within the industry. In 1998 Wendy graduated from George Brown College with her Sommelier Certification and later a graduate of the Diploma from The Wine and Spirit Education Trust.

Wendy also loves to cook having learned a lot from her Mother's kitchen but also from taking cooking classes at the Cordon Bleu Cooking school in Ottawa and George Brown College in Toronto. Wendy's most recent restaurant positions were in establishments such as Marketta, Via Allegro, Queen's Landing, and Hillebrand Estates Winery Restaurant. After she moved to Niagara Wendy worked at a few Niagara Wineries (including Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery restaurant in 2001) to further her interest in wine studies.

After 26 years of being in the hospitality industry she has opened The Kitchen House Restaurant with Chef-husband Ross Midgley where you will find her today. In her spare time Wendy enjoys her three beautiful boys, all Superheros!