TORONTO – Legendary restaurateur and chef Giovanni “John” Arena has died. Born in 1924 in the town of Bellantone, in the region of Calabria in Italy, Arena moved to the Greater Toronto Area in 1956.
He served as a personal chef for numerous heads of state, members of royalty, and famous people from all over the world, including the Pope. During his lengthy career, Arena managed nine different establishments in the culinary industry. His most famous venture, Winston’s, a restaurant that formerly operated in Toronto’s Financial District, is the reason for his widespread recognition.
He opened Winston’s in 1966 and the restaurant, which catered to wealthy and powerful customers, operated until 1990. During his career, Arena was passionate about giving back to the industry and the community and in 1987, he helped to raised close to $10 million for the culinary program at George Brown College. In September 2021, in the midst of widespread restaurant closures and re-openings, Arena paid culinary and lifestyle celebrity David Rocco a visit in his home for a one-of-a-kind extended TV interview, which would turn out to be his last appearance of this kind. That interview re-aired again last weekend.
In this 30-minute special episode, he discussed his love of the hospitality industry, told stories of the incredible parade of powerful and famous guests he hosted, and even participated in the preparation of some special dishes alongside Rocco.
