Chef Darren MacLean

Darren MacLean doesn’t do things halfway. Born and raised in Innisfail, Alberta, he grew up with the belief that cooking could be more than just a job — it could be a craft, an art, and a way to make a difference. Today, he’s known across the country for his bold culinary style and for championing a Canadian food culture that’s deeply rooted in local ingredients and shaped by cultural diversity.

You might’ve seen him on The Final Table (Netflix, 2018), where he stood out as the only Canadian chef in a global culinary showdown. That moment catapulted him onto the international stage. A few years later, in 2022, The Globe and Mail named him one of the 50 most influential Canadians, recognizing his creative, sustainable, and locally grounded approach to gastronomy.

Here in Calgary, Darren is the mind behind three of the city’s most acclaimed restaurants: Shokunin, a high-energy Japanese izakaya known for its refined small plates and repeat appearances on Canada's 100 Best list; NUPO, a plant-forward, sushi-focused spot featuring Canada’s first-ever fish dry-aging chamber; and EIGHT, a one-of-a-kind dining experience with just eight seats and eight courses — a true celebration of what Canadian cuisine can be.

But Darren’s influence doesn’t stop at the kitchen. A strong advocate for sustainability and inclusion, he believes that Canadian food should reflect all the people who call this country home. Through his Cultural Chef Exchange program, he invites chefs from around the world — including Michelin-starred talents — to collaborate, share, and discover Canadian ingredients in new ways.

And true to form, he’s not afraid to experiment. In 2016, he launched Okami Kasu, the world’s first beer infused with sake kasu — a creative blend of brewing and culinary innovation.

Driven, curious, and always looking ahead, Darren MacLean represents a new wave of chefs using food not just to impress, but to connect, reflect, and push boundaries — right here in Calgary and far beyond.