Jade Kelsall – meet the general manager at Bardolino…

For our ‘Five Minutes With…’, we sat down with Jade Kelsall, general manager at Bardolino and Canalside. We learned about her background in hospitality and what brought her to work at The Cube.

Most people are probably unaware of how long you have been working within the hospitality industry. Can you give us a brief history of where your passion for the industry began?

When I was 15 I began working at my local Golf Club in Helston, Cornwall, where I stayed for six years until I finished my degree at Exeter University. During my later years at the club, I assisted in organising and operating marquee and other functions gaining invaluable large-scale events experience.

Having finished university, I went on to work at the St Michael’s Hotel in Falmouth as restaurant supervisor. After a year I moved to Truro College Business School as a marketing executive, working closely with Rick Stein’s Cookery School. I went on to write a restaurant training manual for St. Michael’s Hotel, which was when I realised I missed working within the hospitality industry. So, I then returned to St. Michael’s as the restaurant and events manager, where I was able to help secure a second AA Rosette for the business.

Cornwall is obviously a fair distance away from here, so can you tell us how the move to Birmingham came around?

After going back to St Michael’s Hotel, I decided I needed a change of pace, so I moved to Bristol with a friend and applied for a role at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cadbury House Hotel. After a year as assistant restaurant manager at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill at Cadbury, I was approached to move to Birmingham as general manager at Bardolino Pizzeria, Bellini and Espresso Bar and Canalside.

Inspired by Marco Pierre White’s heritage, Bardolino’s is known for traditional Italian food, but what makes it stand out against the other restaurants available at The Cube?

Firstly, its location, we’re situated on one of the lowest levels of The Cube and we’re right on the Canalside. Guests can tuck into lunch whilst watching the canal boats go by. On a summer’s day our folding doors open across the canal, where a Bellini and a pizza can be enjoyed in the sun.

We’re also a family-friendly restaurant; our aim is to serve wholesome Italian food in a setting that is comfortable for all, as though guests are eating in their own dining room.

Following the growing trend, Bardolino’s serves an Italian-inspired afternoon tea, but what can guests expect to find on the menu that’s different to the traditional approach?

Our afternoon tea is a unique twist on the traditional options you find. We offer dainty sandwiches for mini beef and pancetta sliders, sweet potato fries, fresh bruschetta and green martini olives garnished with avocado wrapped in Parma ham. This is followed by a lemon tart, chocolate brownie and the Italian classic, Tiramisu, which can be made even better with our bottega Prosecco option. Our afternoon tea is also served with freshly ground Mussetti coffee or TeaPigs tea, which always go down a treat.  

Looking at what Bardolino offers, guests may not realise that you have partnerships with the likes of theclubandspa, could you tell us more about these?

We work very closely with theclubandspa and all club members receive exclusive deals and discounts with us. We service the spa lunches on a daily basis, where guests can enjoy a tasty Italian feast as part of their relaxing day. We find this a popular option with hen parties, as guests often join us in their robes and slippers to sip a Bellini or two.

Bardolino’s works hard to provide traditional Italian cooking, as well as health conscious offerings for our spa guests – our fresh smoothies are a favourite. Throughout the summer, we were lucky enough to hold theclubandspa members evening, which we look forward to hosting again across the Christmas period and continue our growing relationship.