At the Best of Food Awards, Flinn thanked another Best Chef for not winning this year. The competition in this category has always been a friendly one, and anyone who knows the complexion of the Halifax restaurant scene has recognized Flinn as one of the best in the the city and this is the year he gets the recognition. His Barrington Street restaurant, Chives, is consistently popular, largely due to his magic touch with food and his passion for sourcing the freshest local and seasonal produce, often taking him out to the Annapolis Valley, on the hunt for cheese and other ingredients. Chives, 1537 Barrington, 420-9626

First runner up: Mark Giffin, Coastal Cafe

Second runner up: Ted Grant, Gio