About Us
Our Story
Bankhead was a small coal mining town, that existed in the early twentieth century, in Banff National Park, near the town of Banff, Alberta. The mine was located at Cascade Mountain, which contains high grade anthracite coal deposits. The Bankhead coal mine was operated by the Pacific Coal Company, a subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway, which needed the coal to fuel its steam engines. The mine began operations in 1903 and was the first anthracite mine in Canada.
The Bankhead Restaurant & Lounge name was adopted to invoke the flavours of the wild west in the pioneering days. Today the newest owners have infused the diverse menu with selections that are influenced by international regions such as Thailand, India and Europe. With locations in Canmore and Sherwood Park, each restaurant offers a dining experience that truly reflects the diverse tastes and preferences of its patrons. From the first light of breakfast to the cozy ambiance of dinner, this is a place where the love of good food, family, and great company come together.
Abraham Mannakuzhil
Chef/Patron
Abraham came to Canada from UAE where he worked with Ajman Kempinski. Since 2008 Abraham has called the Bow Valley home and worked as a chef in various hotels. A few notable positions:
Rimrock Resort Hotel, Eden Chef de Cuisine, 2014-2016 & 2019-2021
Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Executive Sous Chef, 2016-2018
Sunshine Ski Resort, Executive Resort Chef, 2018-2019
Our Team
Amal Regy
FOH
Amal is a graduate of the Hospitality-Hotel and Resort Service Management program at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. After completing his education he moved to the Bow Valley and has worked in various restaurant positions before joining teams with Abraham to launch The Bankhead Restaurant and Lounge.
