Jenifer Rogers Minelli

Executive Chef

Jenifer Rogers' culinary journey has taken her throughout the southeast, including operating her own bakery and restaurant in Alabama and working in Nashville, TN, where she catered to some of country music's biggest stars. When she landed in Greenville, SC, not only did she find the opportunity to expand her skills at Table 301 but also met the love of her life.

Jenifer was born in LaGrange, GA, but she grew up in Sheffield, AL, under the watchful eye of her grandmother who helped instill her passion for food and cooking. At age 14, she got a taste of the restaurant business working at a ballpark concession stand, one that made homemade chili, chicken salad, and freshly cooked burgers. She quickly learned that serving quality food was the key to keeping customers coming back for more.

Once she graduated from high school, Jenifer moved to Tuscaloosa, AL, and started college. She worked as a server before heading to Nashville in search of a culinary degree and more opportunity. Jenifer landed at Union Station, a well-known Nashville restaurant located on Broadway. Her experience there allowed her to move to The Listening Room Café, a high volume entertainment venue. Here she worked as a kitchen manager before quickly taking over Catering and Events where she worked with many country music artists.

In 2015, Jenifer moved back to Alabama and used her culinary experience to build and operate her own restaurant, The Victorian Tea Room Bakery, and The Wild Lilly restaurant. She sold it in 2017, and made a move to Greenville where she was hired by Soby's as a Sous Chef and soon met her future husband, Michael Minelli. She was later promoted to Executive Chef of Passerelle Bistro, which allowed her to work side-by-side with Michael, owner of the restaurant. Jenifer plans to continue her culinary journey with Passerelle, showing that hard work, motivation and perseverance can take you far and proving to young women that they can be whatever their hearts desire.

Michael Victor Minelli

Owner/Operator

Michael Minelli may have grown up in northern New Jersey but his journey through the restaurant industry has honed a true sense of Southern Hospitality. Ever since working at his first job at a dry cleaners shop at 15, he has always had a passion for putting his love of customers first.

After two years of studying psychology and music in college, Michael transferred to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he majored in Hotel Managment with an emphasis in Food and Beverage. While receiving his degree, he worked various serving positions at Simon's Kitchen & Bar, Aquinox, and N9NE Steakhouse. At this same time, he doubled up jobs by buying and flipping homes in the Las Vegas area and promoting in the Las Vegas nightlife scene.

After spending eight years in Las Vegas, Michael moved back to his roots in New Jersey and started his career in at the Atlantic Grill in New York City. It was here where he developed his tight-knit, detail-oriented style. He then further developed his consistency to quality and service at the Harvest Restaurant Group, managing Urban Table and Tabor Road Tavern and then becoming GM of 3 West in Basking Ridge, NJ

In a chance of fate, Michael visited his sister in Greenville, South Carolina, and the first restaurant he ate at was Soby's. He fell in love with Greenville's downtown and Table 301's company values. Michael joined the Soby's team as General Manager in August of 2016, following a month-long trip to Europe, traveling to nine countries. In the fall of 2017, Michael took the General Manager position with Passerelle Bistro, Table 301's French-inspired bistro located in the heart of Fall's Park, Downtown Greenville. Michael entered an agreement with Table 301 in 2018 to work towards ownership of Passerelle and is now the Managing Partner. January 1, 2021 he purchased the restaurant outright and became an entrepreneur.

When he is not in the restaurant, Michael can be found practicing yoga and spending time with his family.