Andrea Carlson - Chef de Cuisine

In a way Andrea Carlson has returned to her roots. In 1992, cooking had turned from a hobby into a vocation for Andrea when she attended the Dubrulle International Culinary Institute. Upon graduation, she got her first job as Garde Manger at the original Star Anise, then under the charge of Chef Adam Busby and a young Sous Chef named Robert Clark. After a tour at Star Anise, Carlson went on to work at West Vancouver's Beachside Café with Dubrulle alumni, Chef Carol Chow and later was recruited to the stoves at Raincity Grill on English Bay, the first restaurant created by owner Harry Kambolis.

In 1998, the degrees of separation finally converged and Carlson joined the team at C Restaurant where she stayed for two years as Executive Sous Chef before embarking on an extended jaunt across Eastern Europe and Turkey. Upon returning from Europe, Andrea took on the challenge of creating the Sunflour Bakery on rustic Savoury Island where, she professed; she fell in love with the art of baking and making bread. This truly was a labour of love, as there was no electricity on the island, so spring water was gathered and dough mixed by hand. That love persisted and deepened during a season spent at the internationally renowned Sooke Harbour House in 2002. In May 2003, Andrea returned to the fold at C and assumed the position of Pastry Chef where she tailored the desserts to seasonal inspirations, just as the rest of the menu.

Now back at Raincity Grill as Chef de Cuisine, Carlson puts to work not only her love for baking, but her time spent with gardening. While at Sooke Harbour House she pursued organic gardening courses at Camosun College, followed by two summer seasons working at a nursery in Vancouver's Southlands area, dabbling in landscaping and volunteering at Tofino Botanical Gardens, assisting in the creation of a kitchen garden. Carlson comes to Raincity Grill with a firm personal commitment to all things seasonal; look for 'edible dirting" to become far more than a hobby.

"Raincity Grill has been evolving and changing over the years. More so now than it has in the past, it's moving in a direction that I really believe in; furthering the quest for regional, seasonal and organic. I enjoy working with seasonal and local food … like seafood, berries and fruits in summer, game, chestnuts and quince in the fall and winter. The menu will change as often as the seasons unfold."

Harry Kambolis - Owner

In 1990, at the age of 22, Harry Kambolis abandoned his studies in biology and chose to follow his dream of opening a restaurant. Harry had a vision of how he could transform the industry and in less than a decade he has created two restaurants that have taken Vancouver dining to new heights. His first venture was Raincity Grill, which Harry dedicated to the celebration of all things Vancouver.

Raincity Grill was one of the first restaurants in the city to take advantage of local ingredients and produce and in doing so helped define Pacific Northwest cuisine. Open since 1992, Raincity Grill has become a fixture in the West End, capturing the essence of Vancouver in food, wine and atmosphere. In the spring of 1997, Harry Kambolis decided the time was right to open Vancouver's definitive fish restaurant. Just as Raincity Grill opened new vistas for local cuisine, C has set the standard for seafood in the city and across North America.

Brent Hayman - General Manager, Sommelier