Kristian Eligh, Executive Chef

Born and raised in Victoria, BC, Executive Chef Kristian Eligh brings his West Coast roots and global culinary experience to Marilena Cafe and Raw Bar, one of Canada’s leading fine dining destinations within the Toptable Group. Before returning home to lead Marilena’s kitchen, Chef Kristian honed his craft at several Michelin-starred restaurants including Jean-Georges in New York City, The French Laundry in Napa Valley, and Blackbird in Chicago. He later served as Culinary Director for Hawksworth Restaurant Group, guiding the Hawksworth and Nightingale teams to national acclaim and earning Vancouver Magazine’s Chef of the Year in both 2011 and 2012.

At Marilena, Chef Kristian’s menu celebrates coastal cuisine rooted in seasonality and balance. An avid free diver and fisherman, he draws inspiration from Vancouver Island’s waters and producers, highlighting British Columbia’s bounty with a modern, approachable sensibility.

Under his leadership, Marilena has earned national recognition, including Restaurant Design of the Year and No. 3 Best New Restaurant in Canada by enRoute (2023), No. 1 Best New Restaurant in Canada and No. 27 on Canada’s 100 Best List (2024), and No. 39 on Canada’s 100 Best List (2025), alongside Best Restaurant in Victoria by Vancouver Magazine and Restaurant of the Year and Best Big Night Out by YAM Magazine.

Jeff Pauls, Restaurant Director

As Restaurant Director at Marilena Cafe and Raw Bar, Jeff Pauls brings more than two decades of hospitality experience to the heart of Victoria’s dining scene. His career has spanned some of Vancouver’s most acclaimed restaurants, where he developed a reputation for thoughtful leadership, guest engagement, and operational excellence. Prior to joining Toptable Group, Jeff held senior roles with notable hospitality groups including Kitchen Table and Per Se, overseeing service and training for multiple Michelin-recommended concepts.

At Marilena, Jeff leads with precision, mentorship, and care. He believes that exceptional dining is built on genuine connection — between guests, team members, and the community. His commitment to consistency and collaboration ensures that every visit to Marilena reflects the warmth, energy, and elevated coastal spirit of Victoria.

Shrawan Khanna, Wine Director

Wine, for Shrawan, is about people — the shared stories, discoveries, and moments of happiness that unfold around the table. As Wine Director at Marilena Café and Raw Bar in Victoria, BC, he leads a program that balances approachability with adventure. His philosophy is simple: wine should be joyful, never intimidating.

Shrawan’s early experiences visiting wineries in France and Germany shaped his belief that wine is a language of connection. That ethos is woven into the fabric of Marilena’s wine list, which celebrates both legendary producers from Champagne and Burgundy and emerging voices from Tasmania, Austria, and South Africa. Each selection is chosen to spark curiosity, conversation, and pleasure.

Marilena Cafe and Raw Bar was named Best Wine Program at the 2025 YAM Magazine Awards, and Shrawan has helped position the restaurant among Victoria’s leading fine dining destinations. Under his leadership, the program has earned Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence (2024, 2025) and Gold at the Vancouver International Wine Festival (2024, 2025). Guided by curiosity and care, he continues to shape an award-winning wine program that reflects both his passion for wine and the welcoming spirit of Toptable Group hospitality.  

Cole Canevaro, Bar Manager

Known for his inventive approach to mixology, Cole Canevaro brings creativity and connection to the bar at Marilena Cafe and Raw Bar. With more than a decade in Victoria’s dining scene, including time at Fiamo Italian Kitchen and the Fairmont Empress, Cole has refined his craft through equal parts artistry and awareness. He finds inspiration in the details that make people feel cared for, from a perfectly balanced cocktail to a familiar face remembered.  

At Marilena, Cole leads a talented bar team driven by curiosity and collaboration. His beverage program blends classic technique with modern flavour, reflecting the rhythm of the coast and the warmth of genuine hospitality. For Cole, every drink is an opportunity to create a moment that feels personal—a reminder that great service begins long before the first sip.

Jay Han, Sushi Chef

With more than two decades of culinary experience across Korea, Japan, and Canada, Sushi Chef Jay Han brings a deep respect for Japanese tradition and precision to the sushi bar at Marilena Cafe and Raw Bar, a celebrated Victoria restaurant within the Toptable Group.

His early training under a sushi master in Kiyoda, Japan, instilled the discipline and craftsmanship that continue to define his work today. Time spent at Tokyo’s renowned Tsukiji Fish Market further shaped his appreciation for seasonality, balance, and the beauty of simplicity — values reflected in every piece he prepares.

Jay’s career has spanned luxury hotels in Seoul and Tokyo and executive chef roles in Toronto, Niagara, and Montréal before joining Toptable Group in Victoria. At Marilena Cafe and Raw Bar, his sushi celebrates the purity of fine ingredients and the subtle artistry of traditional Japanese cuisine, complemented by modern touches that highlight the restaurant’s coastal dining identity.

Guided by heritage yet inspired by innovation, Jay invites guests to experience authentic sushi in Victoria as both an art form and a reflection of connection — crafted with care, precision, and respect.