Jennifer Lapensee & Thomas Self
Jennifer Lapensee, co-founder, Waterloo Ranch; Thomas Self, partner, Hollywood Tavern/co-founder, Waterloo Ranch
Homebase: Thomas: Jenn and I lived in Edmonds until 2022. While local, I was the on-site operator of the Hollywood Tavern full-time. Last year, I hired a full-time general manager for the tavern, and we moved to Rice to start Waterloo Ranch. I remain closely connected with operations at the tavern while working remotely, and I come to town as often as possible to see the amazing Hollywood Tavern team and to check in.
How did your love story begin? Thomas: Jenn and I met at Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria in 2012. We were both in leadership roles for the company at the time, and we grew quite close. By the end of that year, we were officially a couple, and we got married in 2017.
Favorite thing about one another: Thomas: My favorite thing about Jenn is that she is incredibly genuine. Jenn is Jenn…no matter where we are and who we are with…she is the same person I wake up to every morning.
Jenn: My favorite thing about Thomas is that he is extremely driven. When he sets a goal, he always finds a way to make it a reality.
Favorite date night: During our years living in Greater Seattle, we made it a point to visit Art of the Table once a year. Art of the Table is an incredible restaurant on Stone Way between Wallingford and Fremont in Seattle. The food and service are always excellent. We started this tradition in our early years when they were still in their old, tiny, quaint space just up the road from where they are now. You can taste their attention to detail and their love for food in every dish, and the staff are always so happy to serve it. We can’t wait to return sometime when we’re in town for the tavern.
Favorite tradition you have as a couple: Focusing on our shared passion for food when speaking of traditions–I’m not one to celebrate holiday meals in traditional ways–especially when I find some of the usual offerings either odd or disappointing. So, I always try to suggest something else. Take Christmas, for example. I feel the tradition of having turkey a bit lackluster as I think turkey is the most underwhelming of animal proteins. If it were only up to me, I’d suggest a roasted leg of lamb, a roasted duck, slow-cooked ribs or something other than turkey. But since it’s not only up to me, we’ve found a compromise. One year for Christmas, I made a meatloaf with beef and pork and topped it with bacon and a homemade tomato sauce sweetened with maple syrup (instead of ketchup or canned sauce) and spiced with a touch of nutmeg. Jenn loved it, and now it has become our Christmas (and Thanksgiving) tradition.
What does your happily ever after look like? Professionally, we’re very entrenched in our regenerative farm and ranch project currently, and we hope to fully provide for ourselves and put amazing products on the market. Personally, we both want more of the peace and community we’ve found here in the Selkirk Mountains, coupled with the freedom to travel and experience new places.