Jeff Keenliside, Executive Chef
Jeff was born in Halifax in 1972 and has lived most of his life on Vancouver Island, BC.
Jeff started cooking in 1990 and began an apprenticeship six years later at the Aerie Resort outside Victoria and then moved to Café Brio with chef Sean Brennan. It was at Brio that Jeff learned about organic foods and developed a passion for a more natural approach to cooking. During his apprenticeship Jeff was awarded Apprentice of the Year by Victoria Chef’s Association.
Jeff took over as head chef at Café Brio in 2001. His menu remained focused on regional cuisine and he worked closely with local producers and fishmongers during his two years as chef to ensure in-season, fresh produce was included in the menu. During this time Jeff received many accolades, including winning the Great Beginnings Fetzer Wine and Appetizer Challenge in Vancouver, BC in March, 2003.
In the spring of 2003 Jeff joined the Suze group in their new venture, shelter restaurant, in Tofino, BC. It was a chance to work on a new project from the beginning with a focus on west coast seafood. At the end of the season, when the Tofino rains started, Jeff was enticed to take on another new project in Whistler, a high-end 50 seat wine bar, Après. This was an intense and exciting project but by spring it seemed that life for Jeff and his family would be richer back on Vancouver Island.
Back in Victoria, Jeff opened the Fire & Water Fish and Chop House in the new Marriott Hotel. The Chop House received critical praise, including being named one of Canada’s top ten new restaurants by Where Magazine. In the summer of 2005, Jeff joined the Marina Restaurant.
Since taking the reigns at the Marina Restaurant, Jeff has focused on ingredients from local farms and sustainable seafood. In November of 2005 Jeff competed in and won the first CCFV Chef of the Year competition. Two days later he assisted his pastry chef Brian Bradley in winning the prestigious Grand Marnier Dessert Challenge. A year later medals were brought home from both events again.