Today’s Notable Young Professional is Kyle Nares, the co-founder of DINR, an app that helps people get same-day reservations at Canada’s best restaurants. We caught up with him to learn about his inspiration and find out what advice he would share with other young professionals…
WORK
1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
I tend to do a lot of different things but my primary responsibilities are as co-founder of DINR and as co-owner of two Montreal restaurants; Garde Manger and Le Bremner. When I’m not lazy I’m also into painting – I have some work at Alison Milne gallery in Toronto.
2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
Hmmm, surrounding myself with crazy passionate people, delicious food and great wine… Wasn’t too tricky!
3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
Bringing on managing partners Jess Midlash, Mike Bukacheski and Chef Danny Smiles at the restaurants was a really big highlight. It’s been a great pleasure watching them grow and ultimately surpass us in some ways.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
I’m not really one for planning, but I do hope closer to the ocean in all those time frames.
5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Everything good will be complicated in some way. Find ways to thrive on adversity.
6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
I’m most closely involved with the CFCC (Community Food Centres Canada) – I support them personally, through the restaurants and through my family’s charitable foundation. They operate communal centres across the country and are dedicated to local food education and support as a building block for healthier lives and communities. The founder, Nick Saul, and his talented team are truly great champions for sustainability, health and equality in Canada.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/dine in your city and why?
There are too many great restaurants in Montreal to choose one, but I’m probably most consistently happy on someone’s roof with a good bottle of wine and a BBQ in any one of Montreal’s many unique neighbourhoods.
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
I wish I had a really good X-rated answer for this but Google gets a good workout on my computer – I’m a bit obsessed with self-teaching and research.
3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
No idea – I personally don’t have any social media accounts. I hear Chuck Hughes and Danny Smiles are pretty cool, though.
4. What’s your favourite cocktail?
I’m up for anything classic and simple – the fewer ingredients the better. Spirits and drinks that end in ‘ac’ are always personal favourites. I don’t actually do a ton of cocktails but Le Mal Necessaire in Montreal’s Chinatown is a go-to spot when I’m thirsty.
5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
What’s a FOMO? (Seriously)
6. What would be your last meal? And don’t hold back…
Easy – bags and bags of fresh Matane shrimps, live princess scallops and snow crab with giant bottles of white burgundy. You could throw in just about any type of fresh sashimi too – butterfish ideally! I guess I’ll need to time my end with when my favourite seafood is in prime season.
7. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Why feel guilty about pleasure?