Witold Twardowski was an icon in regional restaurants whose creative vision was responsible for some of the most acclaimed restaurants in Calgary from earlier decades.
Regional restaurant icon Witold Twardowski dies
Regional restaurant icon Witold Tawrdoswski died at the age of 71 on Friday i.e. November 18, 2022. He was revered as the restaurant legend in the area. Many of Calgary’s most well-known and acclaimed restaurants from earlier decades were the result of his artistic vision. Since launching his first initiative, Manna, in 1972, he has had a role in operating, managing, and motivating over 50 venues in the city.
The corrugated metal gates inside Mescalero that were eventually moved to Teatro and the stunning stained-glass windows that adorned the former Continental Cafe and Cocktail Lounge are just a couple examples of the unusual decor that Twardowski had a penchant for finding. He was in many respects just as much of an artist as he was a restaurateur, continually coming up with ideas and building restaurants that were more about theatre, ambiance, and experiences than just someplace to eat.
Twardowski’s influence extended far and wide, and on November 30 at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, his friends, family, and community will stage a public celebration of his creative energy. We encourage you to share your memories of Twardowski and his outstanding career with anybody who knew him or valued his efforts as a community builder.
When and where was Witold Twardowski born, and how old was he?
Witold Twardowski was born on August 11, 1951, in Calgary, Alberta. He was 71 years old when he passed away on Friday. Nathan Head, his life partner is the only known family member available right now.
Career achievements
He was revered as the restaurant legend in the area. Many of Calgary’s most well-known and acclaimed restaurants from earlier decades were the result of his artistic vision. Since launching his first initiative, Manna, in 1972, he has had a role in operating, managing, and motivating over 50 venues in the city. The corrugated metal gates inside Mescalero that were eventually moved to Teatro and the stunning stained-glass windows that adorned the former Continental Cafe and Cocktail Lounge are just a couple examples of the unusual decor that Twardowski had a penchant for finding.
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He was in many respects just as much of an artist as he was a restaurateur, continually coming up with ideas and building restaurants that were more about theatre, ambiance, and experiences than just someplace to eat. John Gilchrist, a retired restaurant journalist for the Calgary Herald, chronicled several of Twardowski’s eateries through the years and is still a huge fan of the sense of flair he introduced to the city, particularly his propensity for transforming historic buildings into exciting dining establishments.
Witold “was a genius of creativity,” claims Gilchrist. “His vision helped Calgary become one of Canada’s best and most interesting restaurant cities by saving many historic structures from demolition and luring many talented chefs to the city. Mescalero is what I consider to be the ultimate Witold restaurant. He transformed a burned-out structure into one of the best eateries the city has ever seen by riding the wave of southwestern cuisine in the 1990s.
The owner of Deane House and River Cafe, Sal Howell, remembers Twardowski
Twardowski collaborated closely with Sal Howell, owner of Deane House and River Cafe when she first started out as a restaurant as a member of the Mescalero Group. She claims that Twardowski served as an initial advisor for her and has had a profound impact on contemporary dining establishments in Alberta. Twardowski was one of the first to introduce the city to features like exposed kitchens and terrace areas with retention ponds. she added.
“He made his restaurants enjoyable. He had a very particular aesthetic and was driven by the pursuit of joy and beauty, Howell claims. He created art. He gave these creations life by putting so much thought into the ambiance, which includes the lighting, textiles, furnishings, colors, and other elements that convey the feel and flavor of an idea or a fusion of cultures.”
Personal life
He was a proud Gay and he was in a relationship with his partner Nathan Head.
