Calgary: Gaming the Restaurant Scene to Support Local Business

Calgary boasts something for everyone: almost 1,000 kilometres of pathways, glittering downtown skyscrapers, trendy eateries and irresistible attractions, all scattered across vibrant neighbourhoods like the Beltline, Inglewood, Marda Loop and Kensington — home to Canada’s first food-focused GPS-enabled mobile app game.

Calgary at a Glance

  • Population: 1,335,145
  • Median Family Income: $102,570
  • Unemployment Rate: 9.5%
  • Residential Vacancy Rate: 4%
  • Life Stress: 20.9%
  • Sense of Belonging: 63.3%

Source: Government of Alberta

Created by the innovative team at Alberta Food Tours, the Alberta Food Finder game sends food lovers on mobile-based, self-guided interactive quests that lead diners through a tour of restaurants and food specialty shops as well as local history, art and culture stops in the Kensington neighbourhood.

“Discover the history, art and cultural facts of vibrant communities like Kensington,” says Karen Anderson, president and CEO of Alberta Food Tours, “all while enjoying samples and exclusive discounts at dozens of Alberta businesses.”

Supporting Alberta businesses and utilizing local ingredients is also something the owners of Marda Loop Brewing – one of Calgary’s 40 craft breweries – takes pride in.

“With some of the best barley in the world growing just outside of Calgary, the craft beer scene has really exploded over the last few years, pushing the limits on taste and flavour, and setting a new bar for quality,” says Mike de Jonge, co-owner and brewer of Marda Loop Brewing. “It’s all about creating a social space to bring our communities together. Whether you’re a local or in Calgary for the first time, the craft brewers here have created a welcoming, special atmosphere and a unique experience this side of the mountains.”