Chef Derek Powers Jr. brings more than 20 years of global restaurant experience to Stick Shift Robata, including nearly a decade focused on elevated Japanese cuisine and live-fire cooking.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Derek discovered his passion for food in one of the world’s most diverse culinary cities. His career has since taken him through renowned kitchens and hospitality projects across Los Angeles, Miami, the Bahamas, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Houston, San Diego, San Francisco, the Middle East and Toronto.

Along the way, Derek has worked alongside Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-winning chefs, led large culinary teams and played key roles in opening some of Toronto’s most ambitious and highly anticipated restaurants. Those experiences shaped a cooking style grounded in precise technique, cultural influence and bold, memorable flavour.

Today, Stick Shift Robata is independently owned and operated by Derek and his wife, Jenna Chadwick. Together, they bring Derek’s culinary expertise and Jenna’s creative and business background to a shared vision for the brand, combining exceptional food, thoughtful design and a distinctly playful personality.

Derek continues to develop his own culinary concepts while creating chef-crafted meals for CookUnity. Through Stick Shift Robata, he brings his background in Japanese cuisine and live-fire cooking into a fast-moving, approachable format built around premium ingredients, blazing binchotan and absolutely no patience for anything bland.