CALGARY, Alberta, (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — From rivers and forests to fields and farms, Chef Darren MacLean has crafted a series of individual tours to do more than introduce the world’s best chefs to the proud staples and surprising ingredients of his birth country.
The Cultural Chef Exchange Program dives into the historical, cultural and environmental importance of his nation’s bounty, discerning Canada’s true culinary value on the global stage.
Its mission: Show the world the best of Canadian food through the lens of the world’s best chefs.
Each month, visiting chefs come, learn, collaborate and carry a re-energized and re-imagined definition of Canada – through innovative natural and cultural experiences – back to their communities, in the millions.
“To make travel count, authentic learning is in order and impressive culinary tourism adventures achieve that,” says Chef Darren MacLean about the impetus of this bold multi-year program.
“To attract thoughtful and responsible travel to our country, there are no better partners or messengers than the creative culinary geniuses from Brazil to Britain and beyond who are about to get their passports stamped: Canada!”
Made possible with support from ticket sales and supporters – Food Tourism Strategies, Nespresso, ALT Hotels, Westjet, Square, East Village, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Medium Rare Chef Apparel, Garland and Hazaki Knives – here is the 2022 line-up of chefs participating in MacLean’s brainchild agenda:
Sommelier Yoshinobu Kimura – SUSHI M (Tokyo, Japan)
Chef Colibri Jimenez – MARIA RAIZ Y TIERRA (Merida, Mexico)
Chef Alberto Landgraf – OTEQUE (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Chef James Knappet – KITCHEN TABLE (London, UK)
Chef Aaron Bludorn – BLUDORN (Houston, USA)
Chef Sam Tran – GIA (Hanoi, Vietnam)
Chef Amninder Sandhu – BLISS FOOD EXPERIENCES (Delhi, India)
Chef Nathan Gould – SHELTER (Martha’s Vineyard, USA)
Chef Aishling Moore – GOLDIE (Cork, Ireland)
Chef Shane Osborn – ARCANE (Hong Kong)
While the full roster of 2023 participants is in the works, Chef MacLean is proud to be next welcoming Chef Alberto Landgraf of Oteque in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, recently ranked No. 47 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 list, from August 2-7, 2022.
Highlights of his trip plans include: Alberta’s Crowsnest Pass fly fishing, Castle Provincial Park camping, and foraging with Light Cellars’ Denis Manzer and Full-Circle Adventures’ Julie Walker.
“His participation in this program is a win for Canada,” says MacLean. “Chef Landgraf gets hearts beating with fresh, forward food interpretations. Bringing Chef Landgraf here – in wild, natural, cultural and culinary exploration – we showcase the value and importance of true food diplomacy through travel. We have much to learn about nature, sustainability, ourselves and about one another.
“As with all chefs, this local-to-global network is about progress and stewardship. When I bring fresh experiences and intelligence through travel home to my community online or my guest community at home, the food tastes better because it means and matters more. Each dish has a story. Our program participants will naturally do the same, and the impact ripples vastly in positive directions.”
In addition to ticketed dining, each of the programs important academic and community discussions about contemporary issues and opportunities hosted free-by-donation at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Hospitality Campus.
During the most recent visit of Chef Colibri Jiminez to Canada, she explored the Canadian Rocky Mountain and Foothill regions, examined the experiencing the agricultural differences between Mexico and Canada, and celebrated the similarities in the chef’s connections with local farmers, and their sustainable practices.
Follow Chef Darren MacLean on Instagram @chefdarrenmaclean for highlights of the program, as-it-happens.