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    The iconoclastic chef reimagines Canada’s diverse food culture through a Japanese lens, forging high-concept cuisine at his restaurants Eight, Nupo, and Shokunin.

    When Darren MacLean’s Eight cracked the Top 10 of the Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list this year, those used to watching restaurants in Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto dominate the top of the list were surprised. Despite rave reviews from those who have actually dined at Eight, which has just eight seats and is tasting-menu only—the restaurant hasn’t received as much national chatter as more bustling dining rooms in Canada’s larger cities, partly due to its location in Calgary’s somewhat underdog restaurant scene but also because of the limited number of seats.

    From sleek rooftop lounges with skyline views to hotel speakeasies serving next-level cocktails, 2025 is shaping up to be a banner year for bar-hoppers. Whether you’re after cutting-edge mixology or vibey atmospheres, these box-fresh openings are guaranteed to raise your spirits – literally.

    Ski season is about to get lot more stylish when luxurious new speakeasy After Eight launches in Calgary this year. Hailing from the stable of Darren Maclean, founder of Calgary’s acclaimed Shokunin, Nupo and Eight, this intimate spot will be accessed via a hidden door off the lobby at the Alt Hotel Calgary East Village.

    Canada’s ‘50 best’ awarded restaurant gives guests the chance to secure the rarer cuts of meat with this immersive theatre-style experience

    Yakitoria-style restaurant, Shokunin (www.shokuninyyc.ca), headed up by the acclaimed Chef Darren MacLean, has launched a new Yakitori Omakase Experience, the first of its kind in the city of Calgary. The new Yakitori Omakase Experience offers guests the only opportunity to guarantee some of the rarer cuts of chicken, including Chicken Ass and Chicken Oysters. Shokunin only butchers 25-30 fresh chickens a day, and it often sells out of the premium skewers in minutes.

    Canada’s 50 best restaurateur and tv personality, Chef Darren Maclean, to host a plethora of global culinary talent in Calgary, Canada

    Critically acclaimed Chef, Darren MacLean, and founder of three of Canada’s Top 100 Best Restaurants – Shokunin, EIGHT and NUPO – is gearing up to welcome leading culinary talent from across the world to collaborate in its annual International Chef Exchange, hosted in Calgary, Canada. The exchange seeks to actively promote Alberta’s and Canada’s culinary background and cross-cultural character around the globe, while learning about other country’s cooking styles and practices.

    Canada’s 50 best restauranteur and TV personality, Chef Darren Maclean, hosts UK's Michelin-Starred Chef Andrew Wong in Calgary, Canada

    Critically acclaimed Chef, Darren MacLean, and founder of three of Canada’s Top 100 Best Restaurants – Shokunin, EIGHT and NUPO – is gearing up to welcome London’s leading culinary talent Andrew Wong to collaborate in his International Chef Exchange, hosted in Calgary, Canada. The exchange seeks to actively promote Alberta’s and Canada’s culinary background and cross-cultural character around the globe, while learning about other country’s cooking styles and practices.