MEET THE TEAM

Jean Paul Sabatier

General Manager / Owner

Growing up in Puerto Rico, Jean Paul Sabatier was surrounded by a vibrant culture that valued good food and the easy-going hospitality that comes from everyone gathering all the time. After attending the Culinary Institute of America, JP determined that the parts of wine, food, and cocktails he enjoyed the most were those that connected him directly with guests, and so he pivoted to focus on refining the hosting skills that he had seen throughout his childhood. He has cemented most of his career as the general manager at places like Rappahannock Oyster Bar, Maydan, and Compass Rose where he was able to put his hospitable spirit on full display, while ensuring that everyone experienced the feeling of warmth and welcome that should accompany a culinary experience.

Drew Porterfield

Owner

Drew Porterfield’s background is in arts and events. After having earned a minor in photography from Appalachian State University, he furthered his education at Parsons the New School for Design in New York City. He thereafter moved to Washington, DC, to accept a position as Curator and Director of Long View Gallery in 2006. Porterfield built the gallery’s reputation as both a curatorial and event venue. He was recognized early in his tenure by the Washington Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” for his transformation of the business into DC’s largest fine arts gallery, and has since played a very active role in fostering relationships between developers and artists to place public art installations throughout the city. Porterfield’s official entrance into the food and beverage industry came in 2010 when he and his husband, Ralph Brabham, were invited by a business partner to invest in a new restaurant opening in Shaw, Beau Thai. The couple also later opened another location of Beau Thai and BKK Cookshop, a Thai noodle house, where they staged their popular pop-up concept, “Dot’s Spot”, that became the inspiration for Jane Jane.

Ralph Brabham

Owner

Ralph Brabham was raised in North Carolina by the bar’s namesake, Jane Jane. Brabham has fond memories of his mother’s quintessential Southern hospitality and her uncanny ability to always have a tray of hors d’oeuvres ready for both expected and unexpected visitors. “Jane Jane” introduced him to beloved family favorites from his great aunt’s recipe book-pimento cheese, chow-chow and fried cornbread-in addition to the wonder of steamed Italian artichokes with lemon butter sauce. Brabham’s real entrance into the hospitality industry came in 2010 when he and his husband, Drew Porterfield were invited to invest in a new restaurant opening in Shaw, Beau Thai. After spending a year working nights and weekends in any and every front of house position, Brabham was hooked. He loved everything about being a small business owner: creating personalized experiences for customers, building long-term relationships with the local neighborhood, and strategically building a restaurant brand from scratch. In 2012, he left his corporate attorney position to manage operations full time at the restaurant and dove headfirst into opening Beau Thai’s second location in Mt. Pleasant. He later opened BKK Cookshop, a Thai noodle house, with Porterfield, where they also staged their popular pop-up concept, “Dot’s Spot” that became the inspiration for Jane Jane. Drinking is a celebratory event and Brabham strives to provide a personalized experience for customers celebrating every occasion at his restaurants. He is also a firm believer in the duty of restaurants to serve their communities and was previously chairman of Shaw Main Streets, which earned the prestigious Great American Main Street Award as a result of his leadership.