ABOUT CHEF DARREN MACLEAN
Chef Darren MacLean is one of Canada’s most acclaimed and outspoken chefs, restaurateurs and environmental advocates.
MacLean is recognised for his national award-winning restaurants Shokunin (2015), NUPO (2020) and EIGHT (2020). He also created the world’s first sake kasu-infused beer called Okami Kasu in 2016.
Seeking to showcase Canada’s rich culinary scene to international audiences, MacLean was Canada’s sole contender and a finalist on Netflix’s global cooking competition, ‘The Final Table.’
In 2021, Chef Darren MacLean received the first “hat-trick” of restaurants for a chef in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurant List with his three restaurants SHOKUNIN, NUPO, and EIGHT all placing on this illustrious list.
Since its inception in 2016, SHOKUNIN has consistently ranked as one of Canada’s Top 100 Best Restaurants for the last nine years.
The flagship of Chef Darren MacLean, SHOKUNIN seeks to provide exceptional Japanese-influenced cuisine, paired with the best produce that Canada can offer, with some produce even directly from the MacLean’s own garden and farm!
This obsession with Canada’s ingredients and terroir when paired with the philosophy, flavour profiles and culinary technique of Japan, creates a truly contemporary Japanese dining experience!
Always thinking innovatively, in 2023 MacLean launched Calgary’s first 15-course Yakatori Omakase Experience at SHOKUNIN, guaranteeing guests the opportunity to try some of the rarest cuts of chicken including Chicken Ass and Chicken Oysters, enjoyed counter-dining at the “Chef’s Bar” in front of grill where all the theatre happens.
Chef MacLean opened NUPO in 2020, located in Calgary’s East Village, connected to the Alt Hotel.
Is a plant-forward Japanese “kapo” style sushi restaurant with a heavy focus on innovative vegan and plant based dishes.
The restaurant is also a champion of sustainable seafood. With its 6 seat 20 course Omakase Experience Nupo is pushing the boundaries on what sushi and vegetables in Canada can be.
This innovative approach to sushi can be found at the heart of NUPO restaurant in their specialized dry-aging chamber for fish.
This among many other reasons is why it has become one of Canadas most sought after Omakase experiences – often sold-out months in advance.
Due to popularity, Chef MacLean has launched a new table side, daily changing tasting menu, allowing diners to experience a range of specially crafted dishes, wherever you are sat in the restaurant.
An intimate eight-seat restaurant run and hosted by the Chef Darren MacLean team.
A visit to EIGHT offers an intimate Canadian Reflection Tasting experience which allows guests and visitors to experience new Canadian cuisine inspired by the people who make up the country’s incredible multicultural mosaic. This intimate form of kitchen theatre affords guest the opportunity to watch the whole dining experience unfold in front of them.
Inspired by Canada’s diverse landscape, MacLean believes that inclusivity of new cultures is the foundation of what defines Canada’s national food ethos.
“As we are one of the most ethnically diverse nations on the planet whatever we try to define our cuisine as must undoubtedly acknowledge the contribution of all Canadians to what our national cuisine will become.”
His appreciation for diversity leads him to travel extensively, further developing his unique perspective on food and the culinary experience. MacLean spent extensive time traveling in Japan studying the cuisine of the country that inspires him. Believing in the power of food to bridge cultures, he welcomes global chefs to his country and kitchen and travels all around the world to collaborate with others.
Chef Darren MacLean is an engaging public speaker who is passionate about sharing his culinary perspective.
He is available for interviews and commentary, speaking engagements for events, conferences, panels, private events and more.