Best Chef: Mike Pigot

photography by Neil Zeller

Mike Pigot

A local senior culinary leader and consultant, Mike Pigot has taken the cake for Best Chef in Calgary. Currently cooking up delicious dishes at both CRAFT Beer Market as well as Home & Away, Mike is always dreaming up something new to concoct in the kitchen. What makes Mike's approach to cuisine special, is that he loves connecting with the people. Much of his food is curated around the guests and what they love to see on the plate, combined with his own unique spin. The genuine love and care that Mike puts into his passion of creating a community within his restaurants and food that people love is what keeps customers coming back time and time again.

From the second the doors closed on both of the restaurants Mike cooks at, they started planning a “new normal” as they adapted and pivoted the businesses while also staying true to the product and experience they deliver. It was challenging to go through with the restaurants as well as Mike's own personal experience, but they were diligent in creating the best possible plan and how to execute it so they could come out of this shutdown safely and successfully. From online cooking demonstrations to new ways of ordering food, both restaurants that Mike works at went above and beyond to reach their community during this time.

Both CRAFT and Home & Away are currently operating at 50 per cent capacity, so you can support Mike by heading on down and enjoying these restaurants, both of which have a number of safety precautions in place in order to keep you and the employees safe while still enjoying your experience. CRAFT downtown has a brand-new rooftop patio for you to enjoy the sun as well as Mike's delicious eats. If you're not ready to get back out there just yet, you can order online from both restaurants' websites. Choose delivery or curbside pickup to enjoy your meal from a place of your choosing. Mike now also offers a cooking class that can be taken online or in-person as well as hosts dinner parties at your home - check him out at chefpigot.com.

FIRST RUNNER UP: JUDY WOOD

SECOND RUNNER UP: DUNCAN LY