Jon Wood

Jon Wood runs Grantown Diner & Takeaway, Woodland Diner at Lochanully, Carrbridge, and outdoor catering.

Key outcomes

• Job creation - 8 permanent and 2 seasonal positions, a mixture of part- and full-time

• Living wage for staff - all staff are paid £9 per hour, regardless of age

• Green initiatives - recycled and recyclable packaging

• Community wealth building - Jon’s business uses primarily local suppliers for meat, baked goods, groceries, sweets, coffee and dairy.

Jon’s Story

With a background ranging from Michelin-starred restaurants, 5-star hotels and various group chief executive chef roles, Jon had a vision to establish his own diner and takeaway business in Grantown-on-Spey, primarily aimed at locals. Unfortunately, like so many other entrepreneurs in Scotland, the Covid-19 pandemic prevented him opening as planned in March 2020.

When the doors to Jon’s Grantown Diner & Takeaway opened in June 2020, it was initially as a takeaway employing two members of staff. The locals love Jon’s high quality, locally-sourced delicious food, and their support kept the business going and growing over the next year. This local community support gave Jon the confidence to open a second venture in June 2021. The Woodland Diner is a Scottish steakhouse, seafood and BBQ grill offering a seasonal menu at the Macdonald Lochanully Woodland Resort in nearby Carrbridge. Open to locals, visitors and resort residents, the Woodland Diner has built up an enviable reputation and earned plenty of 5-star reviews from happy customers.

Jon’s commitment to the local community is also evident through the events he supports and caters for, including the outdoor BBQ at Grantown Does Christmas and a sausage sizzle for the local Brownie pack. Grantown Diner & Takeaway is also a proud sponsor of the local football team, Strathspey Thistle. Jon is passionate about buying local, and supporting and working with other local businesses. Jon sources all of his meat, baked goods, fruit and vegetables, sweets, and coffee from other Grantown-based businesses, and other supplies from Inverness-based businesses. It may cost slightly more to his business, but he believes it’s good to collaborate and develop good relationships - after all, there’s nothing like being able to nip to the butcher or baker down the street when he runs out of burgers or morning rolls!

Now employing 8 permanent members of staff, Jon has continued to develop his business throughout the last two years of the COVID pandemic. He feels ‘very lucky to be here’ and puts his success down to the support he has received from the local community and GrowBiz.