Guy Rubino is Executive Chef and co-owner of rain, one of Canada's most critically acclaimed fine dining restaurants. With his brother Michael, he is creator, host and Executive Producer of the television series Made to Order.
Growing up in an Italian family ensured that the quest for the freshest ingredients and intricate food preparations were an everyday occurrence. From preserving fruit and vegetables to curing meats and cheeses, Guy's addiction to the kitchen inevitably led to a culinary career. Discussions with his brother led to an inaugural partnership in a restaurant and catering concept known as Gourmet Greens. Guy found himself cooking for corporate functions, fashion shows, product launches, and other high profile events. He also took the opportunity to further train and master his craft by studying and working in some of North America's renowned kitchens. Five years later, Guy was ready to open a fine dining restaurant and Zoom Caffe and Bar was launched. It was 1997 and Zoom’s inventive and daring menu and design were ahead of their time. Its success encouraged the Rubinos to pursue their next fine dining venture, rain. Since its inception in 2001, rain’s culinary mission has been to explore Asian cuisine. The menu is artfully created by Guy, and its central theme celebrates a delicate tension between polarities – sweet balanced with sour, soft with crispy. rain’s menu is not “fusion”, blending Eastern recipes or techniques with Western ones; it is a celebration of Asian cuisine - Guy Rubino style - and continues to draw domestic and international acclaim.
Shortly after rain’s inception, the Rubinos began discussions with Food Network Canada about the possibility of a television series, and Made to Order was born; a show that gives viewers a stylized, behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of a fine dining restaurant. The brothers formed Mercer Street Films to produce Made to Order, which is currently airing in over 100 countries.
Guy and Michael opened their highly anticipated third fine dining restaurant, Luce, as the first season of made to order began airing. The Italian menu at Luce was in homage to Guy’s culinary roots and marked his uniquely stylized exploration of authentic Italian food. Its sale in April 2006 has allowed the brothers to concentrate on their television series, while ensuring that clients at rain continue to receive an experience fitting their demanding standards.
In addition to creating all of the recipes for rain and made to order, Guy is currently working on recipes for a cookbook. He is an accomplished drummer and guitarist and in his rare moments of free time can be found making music.