Dennis Johnston has scooped the award for best chef for the second year in a row now, and if you ask his staff what makes him so special, they’re not at all shy to talk about it. “He’s incredibly personable,” says dining room server Ian Curlett. “He likes to talk, and most chefs are not overly sociable.” Curlett says it’s Johnston’s insistence on using very unique, very fresh ingredients that sets him apart. “Dennis’s personality definitely comes out in the food he prepares. He’s incredibly passionate about food,” he says. “He’s also an even-tempered guy, not a hothead. And I’ve worked with some hotheaded chefs.”
Runner-up: Craig Flinn, Chives Canadian Bistro, 1537 Barrington, 420-9626
