ROBBIE KANE | Owner
It’s been Robbie Kane’s deft touch and dedication to extending “enlightened hospitality” to each and every guest that comes through his doors that has helped make Café Medina a beloved Vancouver brunch institution since it first opened in 2008.
Originally a photographer and location manager/producer in the film industry in Toronto, Robbie travelled extensively before settling in Vancouver in 2003 and joining the front-of-house team at Chambar. It was Robbie’s single-minded commitment to being a consummate host that held him in good stead when he launched Café Medina and quickly established the quaint café as a hotspot for Vancouverites and visitors alike due to its eclectic, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and inviting, bistro-style atmosphere. In a serendipitous, full-circle twist of fate, it was here where Kane met his future wife, Medina, who was drawn to the eponymous café.
Robbie isn’t just interested in serving a meal at Café Medina. He and his staff pride themselves on “feeding the soul of each one of his guests by providing them with sustenance in every way, shape and form” — through exemplary service, old-world charm and Kane’s pioneering attitude towards café culture.
JENNA BRISCOE | GENERAL ManagER
Jenna joined Café Medina in 2013 where, in just two months, she became the indispensible second-in-command to owner Robbie Kane. Since then, she has established herself as the warm and familiar face to the restaurant’s many visitors and returning clientele.
Originally from Alberta, Jenna started in restaurants while studying political science and communications in Edmonton and Ottawa before moving to Vancouver. Her background as a performer in improv comedy provides her with a unique edge when directing Café Medina’s front-of-house crew and responding to guest requests, all while espousing Robbie’s philosophy of enlightened hospitality.
Furthering her love of hospitality, Jenna began pursuing wine education in 2014. She has successfully completed the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Diploma and is an educator in Vancouver with the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. She is a VinItaly International Italian Wine Ambassador. She lends her expertise to projects such as Top Drop Canada, a terroir focused wine festival and is an international wine judge for competitions such as 5 Star Wines and the Wine Align’s National Wine Awards of Canada.
In 2016, Jenna was recognized by Vancouver Magazine as one of the top six front-of-house ‘All Stars’ in the Vancouver scene.
CHRISTOPHER WEST | EXECUTIVE CHEF
Taking the helm of the Café Medina kitchen is not only an opportunity for Christopher West to continue bolstering the reputation of one of Vancouver’s most beloved brunch destinations but also align himself with a team that embodies his local-centric culinary philosophy.
An Edmonton ex-pat, West stayed true to his family name and headed out to Whistler at the age of 21 to hit the slopes and continue his back-of-house training at The Mountain Club. After a spell in the resort town, he came to Vancouver and took on the role of Chef de Cuisine as part of the opening team at Homer St. Cafe and Bar in 2013, where he helped the eatery land a coveted spot on OpenTable’s list of the Top 100 Restaurants in Canada.
“I think the desire that people have lately to know where their food comes from is truly inspiring both as a chef and a diner,” says West. “It falls exactly in line with the culinary principles that we are proud to showcase on a daily basis at Café Medina.”
