Active Restaurateur: Bud Kanke

Bud Kanke established Kanke Seafood Restaurants Ltd. in 1972 at the age of 33. Since then, the name Kanke has become synonymous with quality white tablecloth restaurants specializing mostly in seafood. He has founded, opened, and operated 10 restaurants including The Cannery (1971), Mulvaneys (1975 to 1987), Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House (1985), The Fish House in Stanley Park (1991 to 1998) along with other such favourites as Viva!, Carlos & Bud's, Sizzler, 9th Ave Grill, and Confetti - comprising over 100 restaurant years and over $400M in sales. Currently, he operates only Joe Fortes, employing over 150 staff.

In 2002 he was inducted with a DiRoNa Award. He is a fourteen-year recipient of Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, a 10-year recipient of Wine Awards from the Vancouver International Wine Festival. In 2001, Joe Fortes won the Where Magazine Award for Most Memorable Meal and Best Service with honourable mention for Best Bar. Kanke was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award as Restaurateur by Vancouver Magazine the same year.

Kanke's continuing passion is quality food, wine and the guest. He now devotes his energy to mentoring his partners and management team. He and his wife Dotty have 3 children and 6 grandchildren.