The Dreamer: Jenny Kang

Chef, Orchard, Calgary

The South Korean native grew up on a farm outside Seoul and has worked at some of Calgary's top rooms (Bow Valley Ranche and, most recently, Darren MacLean's acclaimed Shokunin), but at the stunning new Sturgess Architecture-designed Orchard, she's finally the star of the show (and part owner). Kang has been wowing crowds with her modern-Mediterranean-as-seen-through-a-pan- Asian-lens take on cooking. It was a year when everyone got used to restaurants closing, not opening, so Orchard€” with its fresh approach and upbeat, playful vibe€”was a tonic for a tired city heading into a dark winter.

Neal McLennan

Neal McLennan