Frank Pabst

Executive Chef

One of Canada’s most accomplished chefs, Frank Pabst’s disciplined technique—earned in some of Europe’s finest kitchens—is matched to the West Coast’s abundant harvest of seafood.

Widely recognized for his creative impetus and leadership in responsible seafood practices, today Pabst leads Blue Water Cafe’s brigade of expert chefs in what has been called “one of North America’s finest seafood restaurants.”

Chef Pabst enjoyed positions in Michelin-starred restaurants throughout Germany and France, including La Becasse (Aachen), the Hotel Negresco (Cannes) and Restaurant de Bacon (Antibes).

Directing the kitchens at Blue Water Cafe since 2003, Pabst has consistently demonstrated excellence, both in the procurement of impeccably fresh, sustainable seafood (Blue Water Cafe is a founding member of the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program) and in the execution of its cookery, showcasing his trademark cooking ethic of “complexity without complication.”

  • Culinary Arts Recipient
  • City of Vancouver Mayor’s Arts Award, 2010
  • Chef of the Year
  • Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2010
  • BC Restaurant Hall of Fame, 2010
  • Vancouver Culinary Champion
  • Olympic Gold Medal Plates, 2008
  • Chef of the Year
  • Georgia Straight Golden Plate Awards, 2008
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Jean-Pierre Sanchez

Pastry Chef

Jean-Pierre holds both his Professional Apprentice Certificate and Masters degree as chef de pâtisserie, accredited after many years of apprenticeship and professional development in his native France.

He held the position of pâtissier for 11 years in Le Cours Mazan and Bornes les Mimosas in France. He worked with Gerard Moyne Bressand in Nimes, and subsequently as Executive Pastry Chef in a number of world-class properties, including the Michelin-rated Chewton Glen Hotel in Hampshire and the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

At the helm of Blue Water Cafe’s pastry kitchen since 2005, Jean-Pierre’s desserts, breads, chocolates and petits fours are all made fresh daily.

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Masaaki ‘Masa’ Kudo

Sushi Chef

Masa has served two tours of duty at Blue Water Cafe’s Raw Bar, rejoining the team in 2012 after working as head chef at the critically acclaimed Lime on Vancouver’s Commercial Drive. Scrupulously trained in Kyoto for more than a decade, Masa joined Tojo’s in 2002 where he worked alongside the master for four years. After 26 years of working as one of the city’s most acclaimed sushi chefs, Masa says, “It is the happiness of my guests that drives me forward. I strive to become more creative and teach my staff how to attain perfection. I am still learning as a sushi chef.”

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Stephan Cachard

Restaurant Director

Steeped in the culinary traditions of his native France, Stephan Cachard’s sense of true hospitality is instilled in his service team, who maintain the standard of excellence synonymous with Blue Water Cafe.

A graduate of one of France’s top catering schools, “the Osny”, Stephan’s resume travels through some of the world’s finest properties including Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hotels and exclusive private clubs of Paris and London. At the helm of Blue Water Cafe since 2002, Stephan is dedicated to every detail, ultimately creating a memorable dining experience for each of his guests.

Vancouver Magazine recognized Stephan for his superlative leadership with a Premier Crew accolade at the 2019 Annual Restaurant Awards.

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Ben McNamara

Bar Manager

Born in Australia, Ben brings global inspiration to the signature Blue Water Cafe experience. Ben earned his diploma in Frontline Management and hosted VIP guests as a Virgin Airlines Club Ambassador in Melbourne before studying bartending and spirits in Phuket, Thailand.

Upon moving to Canada, Ben honed his bartending skills at the RimRock Hotel
in Banff before joining the Blue Water Cafe team in 2016 as Head Bartender.

Ben’s love of hospitality began as a child witnessing his mother’s dedication to
the guest experience as a server. As Blue Water Cafe’s Bar Manager, Ben is delighted to be playing a key part in creating memorable moments each and every day by introducing guests to new flavours and offering exceptional service. His cocktail philosophy is refreshingly simple – let the flavour of each incredible ingredient shine!

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Adrien Boutet

Restaurant Manager

Adrien brings to Blue Water Cafe a formidable résumé, formed in leading restaurants in France, England, Australia and the U.S.

Beginning with his degree from CFA St. Michel Mont Mercure hospitality college, Adrien has worked at La Bastide Saint Antoine, Grasses and Hôtel du Palais, Biarritz in France, amongst others, and at Vue de Monde in Melbourne, one of Australia’s finest restaurants. He was also a service leader at Joël, the James Beard award-winning restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia, also at Morton’s Private member club in London, England.

Adrien joined the Blue Water Cafe service brigade in 2013, and has quickly made many friends among colleagues and guests. He is inspired by the art of hospitality that Blue Water espouses: “Every day is different,” he says, “and that is why it is so interesting. It’s all about sharing the moment with the people you love.”

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