Chris Cantabene

Chris Cantabene is the co-owner of Chef Raintree Restaurant with his wife Lorna MacDonald. He specializes in Italian cuisine and has always had a fondness for Mediterranean flavors. Chris graduated from Syracuse University and began his career in the restaurant industry during high school. By the age of 21, he had worked his way up to kitchen manager at Gepettos Restaurant in Penfield, NY. In 1983, Chris moved to St. Augustine and became a partner at Cap’s Restaurant until 1998. For the past 26 years, he has been dedicated to The Raintree Restaurant. Chris has made significant contributions to various local charities such as Boys & Girls Club, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and Habitat for Humanity. He is also a Certified General Contractor in the state of Florida and is committed to giving back to his community. Currently, Chris is focused on transitioning towards retirement from the restaurant business to spend more time traveling and with his grandchildren. His professional philosophy centers around working hard and savoring the culinary experience, reflecting the evolution of St. Augustine into the vibrant destination it is today. The Raintree opened in 1981 and has served our community for 43 years.