Ian Brown is a chef who spent five years in Thailand learning about Thai cuisine before working at Vin Papillon in Montreal and Kiln and Four Legs in London. In 2020, he returned to Newfoundland to start Namjim, a pop-up turned restaurant known for Thai-inspired dishes using local ingredients. Namjim was longlisted in En Route Magazine’s Best New Restaurants of 2022 and named Best Not-New Restaurant of 2024. Ian’s cooking blends Thai flavors with Newfoundland’s unique ingredients.

Gabe Roberge is a career chef who began in Ottawa, working at top restaurants like Riviera, Sidedoor, El Camino, 18, and Oz Cafe. He then moved to Newfoundland to cook at Raymonds, further refining his culinary craft. In 2021, Gabe co-founded Namjim, a restaurant known for its innovative mix of Southeast Asian flavors and Canadian ingredients. Namjim was longlisted in En Route Magazine’s Best New Restaurants of 2022 and named Best Not-New Restaurant of 2024. Gabe’s career is defined by creativity, quality, and a deep passion for the craft.