Inside ‘Top Chef Canada’ Winner’s New Calgary Airport Restaurant
More often than not, airport dining leaves a lot to be desired. With limited choices at our disposal once trapped on the other side of security, there’s not much more to the experience than grabbing a drink and a snack to kill some time.
However, at YYC Calgary International Airport, a brand-new restaurant has just opened its doors, bringing comfort and delicious bites to travellers.
Wander Kitchen & Bar has been brought to life by celebrated Canadian chef and Top Chef Canada: All Stars winner Nicole Gomes. While Gomes grew up in Vancouver, Calgary is where her culinary career took off, with stints at celebrated restaurants, such as the now-closed Catch and Mercato Mission, before opening popular fried chicken spot Cluck N’ Cleaver with her sister.
Gomes told Dished she had only anticipated staying in Calgary for a year, but ended up spending two decades cooking in the city. Her love for Calgary and celebrating the huge array of cuisines on offer in the city was a huge inspiration behind Wander, as well as her love of travel.
“I love Calgary. It’s home for me. I love the people. I wanted to showcase that Calgary is really diverse… I think that’s a misconception about Calgary. It’s not all potatoes and meat and beef. The food scene is so vast,” she said.
Aptly named for an airport eatery, Wander is all about discovery, a sense of adventure and learning about food and culture. For those travelling through YYC, Wander offers a place to indulge in comforting dishes that are well worth skipping your onboard meal for.
Inside Wander Kitchen + Bar
Usually, dining at the airport is nothing more than an afterthought, but stepping into Wander, located just by the C Gates, is a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the busy airport terminal.
In fact, other than the huge windows that overlook the tarmac, you would hardly know you’re in the airport at all. It’s comfortable and cozy, featuring stunning lighting displays, mid-century modern design, and tons of greenery.
As with any good airport restaurant, there’s ample seating as well as a large bar. The space lends itself perfectly to grabbing a quick drink and snack, or for settling down for a large meal before takeoff.
A culinary journey around the world
What really sets Wander apart is its large menu, which takes inspiration from around the world, all made with fresh, seasonal ingredients and with the love and care you’d expect. It’s based on the food that Gomes loves to eat and cook, from house-made Italian meatballs to salt and pepper Taiwanese chicken and flavourful banh mi.
“You’ll find everything from a comforting ham and grilled cheese with tomato soup, one of my diner faves, to a rice bowl with miso pork belly and a crispy egg,” Gomes said.
Those who have watched Gomes on Top Chef Canada or Beat Bobby Flay may recognize her signature carrot cake, with pineapple and ginger, or the chicken parm sandwich, the very one that led her to victory against the American chef.
One of the guaranteed crowd-pleasers is the lemongrass curry bowl, packed with chicken and veggies in a Panang curry sauce, served with jasmine rice. It’s delicious and hearty, and a dish that we’d crave before a flight.
There really is something for everyone with salmon and greens, salads, and even breakfasts for those catching a morning flight.
For those looking to unwind with a pre-flight cocktail or two, Wander doesn’t disappoint with an impressive menu of signature cocktails, including a shaft on draft, which is good enough reason alone to pay a visit.
“This is exactly what Wander Kitchen + Bar is about. It’s comfort and feeling the sense of having something wholesome, authentic and well-made, and having that in an airport is really important,” Gomes said.
“The feeling I wanted to leave with someone is like you came to my home… You came and had some comfort and a hug.”
Address: C Gates at YYC Calgary International Airport – 2000 Airport Rd. NE, Calgary