About Us

With global cuisine and a beverage program that evoke a sense of place while focusing on low- and no-waste preparations, the Dispatch team will show you the way to a place that feels foreign, yet familiar.

Located on Niagara’s wine route in the grassroots arts district of downtown St. Catharines, Ontario, Dispatch offers an elevated, Australian-inspired culinary and hospitality experience without the fuss of fine dining. It’s the place you’ve never been before, each and every time.

Dispatch is a certified Living Wage Employer at the champion level, and our team members are ardent advocates for fair and equitable labour practices and personal and collective wellbeing. Dispatch operates without the tipped minimum wage model, and strives to be a safe and welcoming space for all members of the community.

Dispatch was named one of Canada's Top 10 Best New Restaurants by enRoute Magazine.

Restaurant & Beverage Manager Michael Kapusty (he/him) brings an unmatched standard of service and a passion for personalized experiences that makes dining at Dispatch memorable from start to finish. Michael is a certified Sommelier with The Court of Master Sommeliers from Laguna Beach, California. Michael lived and studied in Dunedin, New Zealand, where he garnered an appreciation for sustainable agriculture and the Otago wine terroir. After traveling through China, Latin America and the United Kingdom, Michael returned to Canada to work in some of Canada’s best restaurants before departing to the Cayman Islands to further develop his skills as a beverage and hospitality professional. Since moving back to Canada, Michael has assisted in a number of restaurant openings, achieving national critical acclaim. 

Co-Chef Gizem Afsar (she / her) brings culinary traditions from her home country of Turkey, along with a wealth of global hospitality experience and a shared passion for creative and sustainable cooking practices. 

Dispatch is owned and operated by Chef Adam Hynam-Smith and marketing executive Tamara Jensen. Dispatch was conceived of as a reflection of the duo's shared passions for travel, community, and sustainability, and as a place to foster meaningful and memorable experiences for Dispatch guests. With over 25 years in the hospitality industry, Adam (he/him) brings his Australian-bred approach to continuous learning and the authentic celebration of global flavours and cooking techniques. As an award-winning marketing and brand strategist and visual artist, Tamara (she/her) aims to create personal connections with guests and the larger community with radical transparency, creative collaborations, and insider glimpses into the team's day-to-day. 

We are always seeking individuals with a passion for hospitality and the desire to grow in their career. Email careers@dispatchrestaurant.com with your CV and a note regarding your full-time or part-time availability.

About working at Dispatch:

We are a small but mighty team, focused on delivering unique food and drink experiences in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Dispatch currently operates four days a week (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 4pm to 10pm; Sunday from 11am to 4pm).

As a certified living wage employer at the champion level, we are committed to compensating all employees and contractors above the Niagara Region livable wage, as determined by the Ontario Living Wage Network. Wages are based on position and experience.

Dispatch is a non-gratuity restaurant. We believe hospitality is a valuable part of our society and that hospitality workers should be fairly and equitably compensated for by their employers.

Employee compensation includes health benefits packages and four weeks of paid time off annually.

Dispatch is located in the east end of Downtown St. Catharines; we are passionate about our neighbourhood and community, and strive to provide a welcoming atmosphere for all individuals. We have a zero tolerance policy for hate, harassment, and racism. Read our policy to promote equity, anti-racism, and anti-harassment here.

Dispatch is located on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, the Attawandaron and Wyandot peoples and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and within the land protected by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum agreement. Today this gathering place is home to many nations and we offer our sincere gratitude to the original and continued stewards of this land, and to all nations, recorded and unrecorded, who take care of this land and have since time immemorial. 

Dispatch is the anchor tenant of the redeveloped Lincoln Theatre, which formerly housed a 750-seat cinema. Located in the heart of the arts district in downtown St. Catharines, Ontario, Dispatch is surrounded by performance and fine arts venues, and sits directly on the wine route connecting the world-renowned Niagara wine regions.

Designed by Brian Burgess & Associates in conjunction with Ramm Design Labs, the open-concept dining room features ample natural light and a view of the open kitchen from every angle. The Chef's Counter perches at the kitchen pass, allowing for intimate tasting menu experiences for two. A custom sound system and ever-evolving playlists are courtesy of local DJs Marinko Jareb and Dr. Adnan Pirbhai.

Design elements draw on the marine-deco style of the original building, and custom large scale artwork by Tamara Jensen inspires the colourful accents in decor and the restaurant brand. Brand elements were developed by Shaun O’Melia.