CULTURAL CHEF EXCHANGE

Chef Darren MacLean, in partnership with Food Tourism Strategies, presents the year-long Cultural Chef Exchange, an initiative designed to deepen understanding of Canada’s evolving culinary identity.

No stranger to collaboration, MacLean has hosted more than 20 globally recognized and Michelin-awarded chefs in his Calgary restaurants, including James Knappett, A Wong, Yoshihiro Narisawa, Mark Best, Amanda Cohen, and Timothy Hollingsworth. Through these collaborations, and through his own international travels to cook and study abroad, MacLean’s restaurants have hosted more collaborations with Michelin-recognized and World’s 50 Best-affiliated chefs than any other restaurant group in Canada.

World-renowned international chefs will continue to visit Calgary, Alberta, Canada as part of the Cultural Chef Exchange, an on-going initiative by Chef Darren MacLean in partnership with Food Tourism Strategies, to visit the city and surrounding area to collaborate, learn and inspire.

As part of the Cultural Chef Exchange, internationally acclaimed chefs continue to visit Calgary, Alberta to collaborate with MacLean and explore the region’s culinary landscape.

The program promotes Alberta and Canada’s culinary heritage while fostering cross-cultural exchange with leading chefs from around the world.

Through these collaborations, MacLean helps establish a global narrative around Canadian ingredients, products, and culinary traditions. By sharing knowledge, techniques, and perspectives, the Cultural Chef Exchange highlights Canada as both a world-class culinary and cultural destination.

CHEF THITID “TON” TASSANAKAJOHN

@cheftonn

Born in Thailand, his passion for cooking was inspired by the flavors of his mother and grandmother’s home-cooked meals. After completing his Economics degree at Chulalongkorn University, Chef Ton pursued his culinary dream at the Culinary Institute of America and later earned an MBA in Hospitality from Johnson & Wales University. His career took him to Michelin-starred kitchens in New York, including Eleven Madison Park, The Modern, and Jean Georges. Chef Ton is passionate not only about cooking but also about wine, earning certification as a sommelier. He is known for elevating Thai cuisine, combining traditional flavors with modern techniques and ingredients, and for being a prominent figure in Bangkok’s dining scene. As a judge on popular TV shows like Top Chef Thailand and Kitchen War Thailand, Chef Ton has become a respected authority in the Thai culinary industry. His restaurants continue to be celebrated for their creative and innovative approach to Thai cuisine.

Le Du (*1 Michelin star & No. 1 Asia’s Best 50 restaurants 2023)
Nusara (* Michelin star& No. 3 Asia’s Best 50 restaurants 2023 & Art of Hospitality award 2024)
Baan (Michelin Guide Thailand )
Samut (Michelin Guide Thailand)
Lahnyai Nusara (Michelin Guide Thailand)
Sood (Michelin Guide Malaysia)
Lawoi