When Gather Craft Kitchen & Bar first opened its doors in December 2022, it quickly established itself as one of Winnipeg’s most exciting dining destinations, earning accolades as one of the city’s best new restaurants. Nestled inside The Leaf at Assiniboine Park, Gather offered something truly distinct: a dining experience shaped by nature, culture, and connection.
Now, Gather enters its next chapter with the return of Chef Mike Licharson, bringing with him a deep connection to the restaurant’s roots and a fresh, thoughtful vision for its future.
Rooted in Place, Inspired by Nature
From the beginning, Gather has been about more than just food. Located within The Leaf, Gather draws inspiration from its surroundings in a way no other restaurant in Manitoba can.
Here, ingredients aren’t just sourced locally, they’re grown steps away.
Fresh herbs from the Mediterranean Biome, tropical fruits like bananas and star fruit, and unexpected elements like allspice and olive leaves all find their way into both the kitchen and the bar. As Chef Mike puts it:
“We are very lucky to receive these ingredients and be challenged to present them to our guests. We are the only restaurant in Manitoba history that gets locally grown bananas.”
This connection to The Leaf and Assiniboine Park continues to define the Gather experience – one that feels alive, seasonal, and deeply tied to place.
A Familiar Face, A Fresh Perspective
Chef Mike Licharson is no stranger to Gather. Having worked as Sous Chef under opening Chef Mike Degroot, he was part of the team that helped shape the restaurant in its early days. Now, he returns to lead the kitchen, bringing both continuity and evolution.
A graduate of Red River College’s culinary program, Chef Mike has built his career in Winnipeg kitchens including Thermea, Pine Ridge Golf Course, Two Hands, and One Sixteen Taproom. Along the way, he’s been guided by talented mentors and shaped by a wide range of culinary influences.
“I’ve worked with some wildly talented chefs who were really patient with me,” he reflects.
That sense of collaboration and respect is central to his leadership style.
“I’m very lucky – I work with an unbelievably talented team,” he says. “There’s a lot of fun put into what we get to do.”
A Menu That Tells a Story
At the heart of this new chapter is an evolving menu – one that reflects Gather’s globally inspired approach while deepening its commitment to local ingredients and sustainable practices.
Chef Mike’s philosophy is simple: flavour comes first.
“Flavour over everything,” he says. “We want dishes to feel elevated and thoughtful, but never pretentious.”
Roasted carrots have been a menu staple since the opening of Gather.
Dolmades have been reinterpreted with Swiss chard.
The new menu draws on a wide range of culinary traditions while remaining cohesive and grounded. It’s a reflection of both the diversity of global cuisine and Chef Mike’s own background – shaped by his Greek, Ukrainian, and Irish heritage, and his upbringing right here in Manitoba.
One example is the reinterpretation of dolmades. Traditionally made with grape leaves, Chef Mike’s version uses locally grown Swiss chard, a nod to both his childhood and the ingredients available through The Leaf and local producers.
“It’s about taking something familiar and giving it a new context,” he explains.
Local at the Core
A strong focus on local sourcing runs throughout the menu. Gather continues to work with Manitoba producers like Fireweed Food Co-op and Nature’s Farm, alongside carefully selected sustainable suppliers.
“We want to feature as many local ingredients as possible,” says Chef Mike. “It’s about supporting the people who grow and produce incredible food right here.”
This philosophy extends beyond sourcing into how ingredients are treated in the kitchen.
“We try not to waste anything. We feel it is disrespectful to the animal.”
From using every part of a sustainably sourced halibut, to transforming trimmings into thoughtful small plates, the kitchen embraces techniques like preservation and fermentation – enhancing flavour while extending the life of ingredients.
An Experience Worth Gathering For
Beyond the food, Chef Mike is focused on creating an experience that feels welcoming, engaging, and memorable.
“I want people to come to Gather and leave full, happy, and feel like they walked into our house to share an amazing experience,” he says.
The open kitchen invites guests into the process, offering a glimpse into the creativity and collaboration behind each dish. It’s a space where cooks are encouraged to experiment, learn, and bring their ideas to life.
“There’s so much knowledge at any time in the kitchen,” Chef Mike adds. “We challenge each other to keep growing.”
The vision for Gather is simple - a place where people come together over food.
New brunch offerings have been added to a refreshed lunch menu.
Looking Ahead
With seasonal menu updates planned throughout the year, including an expanded brunch offering, there’s always something new to discover at Gather.
But at its core, the vision remains the same: a place where people come together over food that is thoughtful, flavourful, and deeply connected to the land around it.
As Gather continues to evolve, Chef Mike Licharson’s leadership marks an exciting new moment, one that builds on the restaurant’s strong foundation while inviting guests to experience something fresh.
In a city rich with culinary talent, Gather stands apart, not just for what’s on the plate, but for where it comes from, and the story it tells.
There’s never been a better time to gather.
