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Meet the Chefs
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Chef Renée Girard
SHIRLEY’S
Raised on a small farm south of Elie, Manitoba on Treaty 1 Territory, Renée Girard’s connection to food began early. Her first experience in the restaurant world came as a child, when her family transformed a barn on the farm into a café for customers visiting to pick berries. Surrounded by prairie ingredients, hospitality, and community from a young age, Renée developed a deep appreciation for food as a way to bring people together.Now based in Winnipeg, Renée remains closely connected to the farm she still calls home. Over the years, she has honed her craft in some of the city’s most celebrated cafés, bars, and kitchens, including Albert Street Cocktail, Forth Café, Harth Mozza & Wine Bar, and Segovia. During the pandemic, she launched Made by Paste, a handmade food and specialty gourmet project that quickly gained a devoted following and helped establish her distinctive voice in Winnipeg’s culinary scene.
Today, as owner and Executive Chef of Shirley’s Restaurant in Osborne Village, Renée brings her signature style to every plate — comforting and familiar dishes thoughtfully elevated with creativity and care. Alongside Sous Chef Zac Chizda, she has created a warm, welcoming dining experience rooted in prairie hospitality, seasonal ingredients, and a genuine love of feeding people well.
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Chef Nick Gladu
BABYBABY
Born and raised in Winnipeg, without formal training, Nick honed his cooking at some legendary local establishments including Bonfire Bistro, Clementine, Segovia and Harth. While his influence is derived from the multifaceted culture of Winnipeg, most of his career was spent abroad.In Vancouver, Nick discovered his desire to work with the best seafood and local products, spending a considerable chapter at Wildebeest (since closed). He then jumped over to London, UK, where he worked at the very important neighbourhood restaurant, Brawn. A year later, he opened Two Lights as Sous Chef; a sister restaurant to The Clove Club in Shoreditch.
Nick then came back to Canada to open a cafe and bakery called Oxeye on Galiano Island, BC, where he worked exclusively with products grown in the coastal region of the Southern Gulf Islands.
Now at BabyBaby, in the role of Chef and Owner, he brings a fresh look to the diverse culinary landscape of Winnipeg, highlighting the best of Canadian bounty from coast to coast with influence from across the globe.
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Chef Chris Gama
BABYBABY
Chris Gama is a Winnipeg chef and restaurateur best known as chef and partner at Clementine Cafe and co-chef and partner at BabyBaby in Osborne Village. Both restaurants were recognized by Air Canada as among Canada’s Best New Restaurants. With more than 20 years of kitchen experience, Chris has worked under many of Manitoba’s most respected chefs.In 2008, he received a culinary scholarship that led to a month-long stage at Manresa, the acclaimed three-Michelin-star restaurant in California. Chris is known for his science-based approach to cooking, his drive to continually refine and develop new techniques, and his commitment to mentoring and elevating the teams at both restaurants.
Food Worth
Flying For
For 25 years, Air Canada has travelled from coast to coast to explore the country’s latest and greatest culinary offerings, discover the stories behind the innovators and the restaurants shaping Canada’s dining scene.
Stay tuned for more culinary experiences coming to Aeroplan Members and DINR Premium Members, as the 25th Anniversary Edition and 2026 Season of Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants takes flight.
Learn More
Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants celebrates the best new dining destinations across the country. Launched in 2002, the program is the country’s longest-running ranking for new restaurants and top Canadian culinary talent. The program continues to showcase the country’s best “Food Worth Flying For,” providing a career-changing platform for chefs while bringing Canada’s unique culinary identity to global audiences.
Since its inception in Montreal, the DINR app has built a cult following among award-winning chefs, discerning diners, and avid travellers passionate about unparalleled culinary and hospitality experiences. DINR Premium is DINR’s Membership program that puts its Members at the front of the line, with first access to the city's most sought-after restaurants, reservations, events and chef collaborations plus other exclusive benefits and perks.