Insider Info
Insights on where to go and what to do in
Calgary from some of the city’s most culturesavvy compiled by janet davie
Sean MacDonald
and Alex Edmonson
CO-EXECUTIVE CHEFS, MARKET RESTAURANT
Adam Johnson
What is your background in the music industry? I discovered a passion for classical
music around the age of 16, and then spent the next 13 years studying piano intensely.
While doing my doctorate in piano performance I also did three years of conducting
studies, as I knew from early on that I wanted to move towards conducting. After three
years of teaching and performing I won the audition to be Resident Conductor with
the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
What do you think of the music scene here in Calgary, and
how has it changed in the past few years? It must be said the
CPO does a phenomenal job of catering to Calgary’s diverse
music tastes—we do everything from classical to pop, rock,
Broadway, film, and country music. Honens has put on some
very interesting concerts of diverse styles, the Calgary Opera is
terrific, and I think generally there is a lot of interest in great
music in Calgary.
What is your favourite music-related event in Calgary? This
year I’m really looking forward to the Brahms festival we’re
doing in February 2016 (February 18 – 27, 2016), which will be
jam packed with incredibly beautiful music.
What do you think of the food scene here in Calgary? How
has it changed in the last few years? SEAN: The food scene in
this city has exploded in the last few years. There’s so much
good food, and there’s also lots of potential.
ALEX: People in this city are very picky, and they are
constantly looking for food that tastes great. We attempt
to push people out of their comfort zones so that they can
experience something new.
SEAN: With our different flavour profiles along with our
unique plating, we’re making people try new things.
Where do you find the inspiration for the food at Market?
SEAN: We love to showcase food in its natural state without
much processing. We like to keep it as simple as possible. A
carrot, after all, is supposed to taste like a carrot.
ALEX: I take my inspiration in part from the
seasons. Each season has its own colours,
smells, and feeling.
SEAN: My mom is an artist, and so when
it comes to plating I draw inspiration from
contrast art and oil paintings.
“The food scene
in this city has
exploded in the
last few years.
There’s so much
good food, and
there’s also lots
of potential.”
What food-related event do you look
forward to most every year in Calgary?
ALEX: We love to host events in the
restaurant that focus on fresh and local
food. We hosted FRESH Dinner where we
partnered up with Grow Calgary, an urban
farm organization. Guests ate food that was
literally picked that morning.
Where is your favourite place to go in Calgary for live entertainment? I’m either sitting
in on rehearsals or performing in the Jack Singer Concert Hall at Arts Commons nearly
every week, and it’s a wonderful place to have as an “office”. Something very exciting
for Calgary is the Bella Concert Hall over at Mount Royal University—it’s beautiful and
unique, and will be a major asset in Calgary’s cultural life for generations to come.
What is your favourite meal in Calgary and where is it
served? ALEX: HY