One of the most important thing about eating and drinking is that it’s done with people. There’s community building involved. I grew up in a pretty big family. There were five kids and we all ate together. I don’t know if that influenced my life and how I approach food, but the pull back into this industry was really about the people, and the community that was created at each of the restaurants I worked in. The key to this restaurant was to have a local angle, and build a community with people around eating and drinking with each other. Well, maybe mostly drinking for me haha!

I share the special with my chef Jake everyday, and I drink with people, and that’s what I enjoy the most about this job. I get samples every week, and being able to try new things for the first time with people, I really get a kick out of that. It’ll be regulars and staff or beer reps, and I’ll whip out some samples and we’ll talk about them and our experience of them.

But it’s also beyond analyzing flavours together. It’s about having a laugh, and hanging out with people and having a good time. And occasionally getting drunk! There’s a big community angle to feeding people and having people enjoy your food and the beer you get in. It’s a great feeling. And I get to be a part of it.

Dennis Kimeda - Owner of The Wren