Born and raised in Alberta, with a professional resume that crosses continents, Leslie Echino brings with her more than 22 years of restaurant and fine-dining experience. As owner and restaurant director for Blink Restaurant & Bar, her understanding of sophisticated cuisine, coupled with extensive worldwide travel, has equipped Leslie to offer a uniquely impressive fine-dining experience to Calgary.
As a true testament to Leslie’s expertise, Blink’s wine list offers select bottles with origins that span across several regions including the Pacific Northwest, California, France and her personal favourite, Spain. Highlighting family-run wineries and featuring limited and distinctive grape productions, Leslie’s talent for discovering unique tastes ensures a perfect pairing to satisfy your palate every time.
Passion and creativity are the driving forces behind everything Leslie offers at Blink, because in the end, she believes that coming to a restaurant isn’t just about filling your belly; it’s a combination of the senses — the sights, sounds and flavours — all flowing together to create a truly multi-dimensional experience.
Chris Dewling – Executive Chef
Born and raised in St John’s Newfoundland, Chris came to Calgary in 1999 and has been a major influence in Blink’s kitchen since the beginning. Following two years as the Sous Chef, Chris accepted the role of Executive Chef in 2011 and continues to embrace the slow food movement that strives to preserve traditional and regional cuisine by supporting sustainable foods and promotion of local small businesses. Chris spent time at London’s The Square under the expert tutelage of Chef Phillip Howard. This provided him with the knowledge of European cooking techniques that are enjoyed at Blink today.