Our Team

Quince is owned by Jennifer Gittins and Michael van den Winkel, former owners of Stork on the Roof, a neighbourhood favourite from 1995 to 2005.

Michael van den Winkel, Owner and Executive Chef

Michael hails from Amsterdam and is a classically trained French Chef. Over his 25 year career, Michael has worked throughout Europe and Asia and has called Toronto home for the last decade. During his early years in the Dutch navy, he developed a thorough knowledge of Indonesian cuisine and he counted the elite amongst his clients while a personal chef aboard a private yacht. He and his partner, Jennifer opened Stork on the Roof restaurant in Toronto in 1995, and it quickly established itself as a neighbourhood favourite for nine years. At Quince, Michael continues to offer eclectic menus that reflect his unique experience and style.

Jennifer Gittins, Owner

Jennifer was raised in Toronto and in 1990 graduated from the Culinary Management and Italian programs at George Brown College. She went on to travel extensively through Europe where she met Michael. Also serving as a personal chef on a private yacht, her cooking was influenced by the cuisines of Dubai, India and Singapore. For nine years she enjoyed operating Stork on the Roof alongside her partner and co-chef Michael. You will see a lot more of Jennifer in the front of the house at Quince, but she continues to create the dessert menu.