Announcing construction of world-class spa experience coming to Calgary region.

Qualico Communities and Bordeaux Developments -- the development team behind the Community of Harmony in Springbank, Alberta -- will announce the construction of a world-class spa experience coming to the Calgary region.

WHO
The developers of the Community of Harmony and its spa partner host Calgary media, influencers and stakeholders at a news conference and launch event.

WHAT
A Canadian spa company has come to an agreement with Harmony developers to build one of Canada’s largest spas just west of Calgary in the Springbank community of Harmony. It will create a unique amenity for the region that will be an international touristic draw, generating 400 permanent, full- and part-time jobs. This news conference will announce details about the project, its who-and-why, and the significant financial investment being made in the Province of Alberta.

WHEN
10:00 am on Monday, February 24, 2020

WHERE
The Harmony Discovery Centre 26 Arnica View, Rocky View County 

WHY
Meet the visionary design group from the spa company, key executives from Bordeaux Developments and Qualico Communities. Learn how this project will incorporate into the community and its other lifestyle amenities, why it will be a prime destination for local and international visitors, and how the significant financial investment from out-of-province will impact the region. Q&A opportunities follow a short presentation.

RSVP
heather@immediapr.com
403 910 8910 with name, company and contact details.

CHEF DARREN MACLEAN ANNOUNCES NUPO TO OPEN JANUARY 15, 2020

Innovative fish and plant-based Japanese restaurant, bar and omakase sushi experience with Canada’s first dry-aging chamber for fish.

NUPO features healthy, sustainable fish and plant-based dining, tea-centric cocktails and exclusive sakes.

Canada’s latest and highly anticipated night-time spot for food and drinks, Chef Darren MacLean’s NUPO opens January 15, 2020 in Calgary’s East Village.

NUPO at first glance is most distinct for its predominantly vegetarian fare. Menu highlights include fresh-daily, house-made tofu as well as a vegan “tonkotsu” ramen. One premium meat dish is offered daily. In addition, NUPO expands on its clean-eating focus by serving healthy and innovative sushi and fish dishes.

“Expect immaculate, fresh imported sushi and exciting aged sushi fish on house-made black shari sushi rice,” says MacLean. “Our large-format seared fish dishes are enhanced by dry-aging achieved using NUPO’s unique, custom-built chamber. An exciting first in Canada.”

Effective immediately, MacLean announces the appointment of his Chef du Cuisine Mitsuru Hara, formerly of Tokyo’s Michelin 3-Star restaurant Azurmendi.

NUPO’s minimalist design, lighting and décor by Connie Young Design brings MacLean’s vision to life.

“We wanted to showcase the clean lines and subtilty of traditional Japanese aesthetic while highlighting the landscape and natural resources of quintessential Alberta,” says MacLean. “By design, the room mirrors the natural ingredients and food philosophy of NUPO.”

Some of NUPO’s many, yet understated, interior design elements include natural birch wood and shale. These complement striking golden koi fish wallcoverings that meet such dark textured surfaces as:

• Shou Sugi Ban (a Japanese technique of charring wood for aesthetic appeal) wall panels

• woven leather seating

• exposed concrete ceilings

• oversized black slate tiles

• smoked mirrors

Open exclusively in the evening, NUPO is set apart by its vision for positive culinary change through sustainable sourcing, inventive preparation and a fun, devil-may-care style of hospitality as well as its exclusive, reservation-only omakase sushi counter.

Access NUPO through the lobby of Calgary’s chic Alt Hotel East Village across from the historic Simmons Building at 631 Confluence Way.

Hours
Sunday – Thursday, 4 pm to 10 pm
Fri – Saturday, 4 pm to midnight.

Reservations
Reservations for à la carte can be made through the Tock reservation app. Tickets for seats at the omakase sushi counter can also be purchased through Tock.

Find and Follow Us
631 Confluence Way SE, Calgary, AB
Attached to the ALT Hotel East Village
Email: contact@nupo.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nupoyyc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nupoyyc
Hashtags: #nupoyyc #bydm #sushicounteryyc #omakase #localjapanese

Media Contact
Heather Kirk
Immedia
heather@immediapr.com
416 500 1752
403 910 8910

Crack an Okami Kasu!

Beer brand collaboration between Calgary Chef and Restaurateur Darren MacLean and brewery Ol’ Beautiful expands to Alberta liquor retailers.

Calgary, AB, DECEMBER 11, 2019:  The world-first formula of beer infused with sake kasu -- Okami Kasu -- was the brainchild of Calgary Chef and Restaurateur Darren MacLean when seeking the perfect beer pairing with his acclaimed Japanese cuisine served at his restaurant Shokunin Izakaya.

The crew at Ol’ Beautiful answered the call, produced the beer in 2017 and a throng of loyalists started to rally behind the unique brew featuring a special ingredient -- sake kasu - from the mash or grains of sake production. Until now the beer was only available at Shokunin Izakaya and Ol’ Beautiful in limited quantities. 

“We are excited to announce that Okami Kasu now comes in a can for enjoyment at home,” says MacLean. “As of today, 10 liquor stores in Calgary have become stockists and more retail outlets will be featuring this unique, all-Canadian beer on their shelves throughout the province in the weeks ahead. It’s the perfect pairing for Japanese food.”

Okami Kasu is a clean, crisp, filtered beer that lands a step above Asian-style lager for its full-bodied, subtle, creamy finish which goes well with Japanese cuisine. 

“We are huge fans of Darren’s food,” says Ol’ Beautiful sales and marketing head Chris Carroll. “So to collaborate on this initiative in his restaurant was one thing...to take it a step further is something else! People know this brew is unique. What they may not know is what makes it so special. Its large portion of rice gives it a unique, silky mouth-feel.”

The most noteworthy part of this Canadian made beer is the inclusion of sake kasu, the rice leftover from sake production, which contributes a boozy, creamy, uptown funk to the beer’s finish.

Stockists:
5 Vines Keynote and Mahogany locations
The Brewer’s Apprentice
Collective Craft Beer Shop
J Webb Wine Merchant in Glenmore
Market Wines
Oak and Vine
Sundance Wine Market
Vine Arts 17th and 1st locations

About Chef Darren MacLean (chefdarrenmaclean.com)
Chef Darren MacLean is one of Canada’s most acclaimed and outspoken chefs, restaurateurs and environmental advocates. Seeking to showcase Canada’s culinary scene to international audiences, MacLean is passionate about sustainability and the food building community. While he regularly participates in events as an educator, speaker and culinary judge in Canada and abroad, he is happiest in his kitchens.

MacLean’s Japanese izakaya-style restaurant Shokunin, in his home city of Calgary, has been voted one of the country’s top 50 restaurants for three years in a row. Its predecessor Downtownfood was also listed as one of Canada’s top restaurants. In September 2019, he opened Greenfish, North America’s first fully sustainable sushi eatery, take-away and delivery.  

In 2020, MacLean opens Nupo located in Calgary’s East Village Alt Hotel. This plant-forward restaurant, which focuses its offer on vegetarian, sushi, and large-format fish dishes, features a specialized dry-aging chamber for fish. Furthermore, at the same location a private and discreet, eight-seat, high-dining restaurant opens where tasting menus focus on MacLean’s unique philosophy of true Canadian cuisine.

Inspired by its ethnic mosaic, MacLean believes this forms the foundation of what defines Canada’s national food culture. 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 often -- from Tokyo to Mexico City -- to collaborate with others.

About Ol’ Beautiful (olbeautiful.com)
A culmination of our storied past and promising future, Ol’ Beautiful Brewing Co. represents an appreciation for the old ways of doing things and a reverence for the beauty in imperfection. Our beer is a thoughtful nod to the past, brewed by hardworking individuals who are passionate about the revival of the craft spirit. Time-worn and well-loved, our taproom is a casual, inclusive space that welcomes all in the heart of Inglewood, Calgary.

Media Contact
Heather Kirk heather@immediapr.com or 403 910 8910

2020 Starts at Shokunin with Exclusive New Year’s Eve Celebration

News Release and New Year's Eve Reservation Opportunity

Food Lovers Come Together to Ring in The Twenty-Twenties for $250 a Pop

Calgary, Alberta: Seventeen guests and three chefs -- Chef Darren MacLean, Chef Mitsuru Hara and Chef Jenny Kang -- will gather at Calgary’s acclaimed Shokunin Izakaya Harvest Table and bar over two seatings to bid so-long to 2019 in a unique celebration to savour on New Year's Eve December 31, 2019.

“Bringing in a new decade with incredible food in an intimate Harvest Table and bar setting sounded like the perfect New Year’s Eve party time to us,” says MacLean. “Beyond the timing, the surprise menu and the attention of three top chefs, this focused affair is also special because we are tipping our cards about Nupo -- my next Calgary restaurant opening in January 2020 -- to those who come on New Year’s Eve.”

Two seatings: 6:30 | 8:30
17 people per seating
$250 per person, plus tax
By first-come reservation only to mark@shokuninyyc.com

Address
2016 4 Street Southwest
Calgary Alberta
403 229 3444

Menu highlights to include caviar, Kobe beef, sablefish, truffles, and pasta. All inspired by Shokunin.

Restaurant Contact
Mark@shokuninyyc.com

Media Contact
heather@immediapr.com or 403 910 8910

Suds, Sushi, Sunday. Celebrate a Collabo in a Can!

WHO

Join your hosts -- collaborators Chef Darren MacLean of Shokunin, Greenfish and soon-to-open Nupo and Chris Carroll of Ol' Beautiful -- and fellow media colleagues and VIP guests.

WHAT

An intimate seasonal launch celebration timed for the debut of canned Okami Kasu, the world's first sake-kasu beer. It is now available in a can at retail stockists in Calgary and soon throughout Alberta. Its name reflects its singular character and originality, like a "lone wolf." Okami literally means wolf in Japanese and Kasu refers to the beer's special ingredient -- sake kasu - from the rice leftover from sake production. This contributes a boozy, creamy, uptown uniqueness to this special beer’s finish.

WHEN

3-5:00 pm
Sunday, December 8

WHERE

Shokunin Izakaya
2016 4 St SW
Calgary, AB

WHY

A dream became an idea that became a reality and is about to become great news for Alberta beer lovers! In a Japanese sake brewery, tasting "kasu" (mash from brewing sake), Chef Darren MacLean identified how its sharp, yeasty flavour could enhance beer and create the perfect pairing for his Japanese cuisine. To attain a touch of sake-like sweetness and the smooth drinkable ease of classic Japanese lager, Darren toiled over a recipe for eight months to land on the right rations of hops, barley, rice and sake kasu (mash) that would become the Okami Kasu label.

HOW

Because Darren is a chef, not a brewmaster, he tapped the team at Ol' Beautiful and its co-founder Chris Carroll to help refine the flavours, filter the ale and craft this one-of-a-kind "lone wolf" beer served exclusively at Shokunin.

RSVP

Please RSVP by December 6 to Heather Kirk on 403 910 8910 or RSVP@immediapr.com. Space is limited.

SHARE WORD

Full details about the 100% Canadian recipe, production, retail availability and pairings wil be shared at this casual get-together over afternoon Okami Kasu beer and Japanese bites. We look forward to welcoming you! For your reference, social tags and handles are #okamikasu @shokuninyyc @chefdarrenmaclean @ol_beautifulbrewingco

KANPAI!

Organic Bubbles Aloe Vera-Based Shampoo and Conditioner Launches

Organic Bubbles Aloe Vera-Based Shampoo and Conditioner is Exceptional for your Hair and Good for our Planet

12 November 2019, Toronto, ON: Toronto hairstylist and entrepreneur Allan Parss launches a new sustainable hair solution, Organic Bubbles, in response to observing the negative effects of harsh chemicals on the hair and scalp. Made in Canada with carefully sourced ingredients, the new brand is free of parabens, urea, sulphates, silicones, petroleum, DEA/MEA/TEA, EDTA, phthalates and aluminum, chemicals that can potentially cause long-term health problems when used daily.

Organic Bubbles Aloe Vera Shampoo and Conditioner is a professional salon hair care line sold throughout North America that is formulated with Aloe Vera juice and botanical extracts. Created by a team of haircare professionals and chemists, it is 100% biodegradable, organic, vegan and not tested on animals. It contains no SLS or added colour and is made with recyclable packaging. Unlike other organic haircare offers, Organic Bubbles delivers a rich, working lather that is gentle and moisturizing.

Rich in vitamin C, E, and beta carotene, Aloe Vera rejuvenates hair with organic nutrients, creating more elasticity and preventing breakage. Its enzymes promote hair growth by helping hair retain moisture through clearing dead skin cells from the scalp. Along with hair loss prevention, Aloe Vera relieves itching on the scalp, reduces dandruff and conditions hair.

“Having experience working within the salon and beauty industry for more than three decades, we have seen the negative impact of harsh chemicals over time, so we set about developing an organic shampoo and conditioner to complement our high standards of client care and ensure hair health,” says Parss. “Online, our hundreds of customers are in wider and wider circles — from here in Toronto to New Brunswick to Calgary and Vancouver and now into the United States — with rave reviews.”

“At Organic Bubbles, we care about what goes into your hair and scalp and what rinses off your hair and goes down the drain. Our organic line is free of harsh chemicals and works for all hair types, especially those with dry and itchy scalp, dandruff, fine hair, oily scalp, thinning hair and hair loss.

“Aloe Vera has properties that work great for anyone who is looking to clean their scalp thoroughly and rid it of any chemicals. We encourage both salons and individuals to try Organic Bubbles Aloe Vera Shampoo and Conditioner. You will be amazed by the instant benefits to the health of your hair and scalp.”

Organic Bubbles Aloe Vera Shampoo is rich in antioxidants and amino acids. Preserving the suppleness of hair, this mild and gentle shampoo helps soothe and moisturize the scalp while replenishing hydration, leaving the hair and scalp clean and healthy. It promotes hair growth, prevents itchy scalp, reduces dandruff and conditions hair.

Organic Bubbles Aloe Vera Conditioner hydrates while moisturizing, nourishing, and adding shine without leaving hair feeling greasy. The benefits of Aloe Vera leaf juice and an infusion of natural fruit extracts leaves hair revitalized and silky smooth.

Organic Bubbles Shampoo and Conditioner is available as a set to purchase at select salons and online at organicbubbles.com and Amazon for CDN $71.96 including free shipping, with next day delivery option.

New retro-style horror movie starring Quinton Rampage Jackson premieres: A Psycho's Path

Set in a small desert town during the 1960s, a deranged John Doe escapes local police and stark institutional confines launching a fast-paced manhunt on a suspenseful trail of horror.

American Mixed Martial Artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, stars as the menacing John Doe, alongside stalwart Hollywood veteran actor and A Psycho’s Path producer, Noel G. (The Fast & The Furious Franchise, The Mule, Training Day, Bruce Almighty). The film also re-introduces Todd Bridges. Matthew King-Ringo and David Ramak round out the Producer team.

For the film's release, the allied filmmakers from Hourglass Pictures and Entangled Entertainment are tapping the expertise and market connections of ITN Distribution Inc. to see its independent film reach global audiences on TV, VOD, DVD, Pay-Per-View and theatrical markets. With domestic and international representation by ITN Distribution Inc., the co-production efforts of Hourglass Pictures and Entangled Entertainment celebrates its world premiere with a red carpet event October 26, including a meet and greet for movie lovers and horror fans leading up to Halloween.