Reframing the 5-point scale
We take a diplomatic approach to our reviews! We’ve worked in too many kitchens, alongside too many hardworking teams to eat one single meal in a restaurant and trash the place after we leave.
Taste is personal: What feels just right to one person might feel too spicy or sweet to another person. Your ‘Not perfect’ meal, or an isolated culinary mistake, should not make or break any food establishment. A single off night can sometimes mask an otherwise excellent kitchen.
For these reasons, if we can’t rave about a food or cultural experience, we will still document and write about our experience. When we encounter a disappointing meal, we reframe the text to focus on objective notes instead of harsh insults, and omit a numerical score entirely for places that are not for us
Our Review Philosophy–
We believe in documenting food experiences constructively. If a meal does not meet our personal tastes, we use a baseline rating of 3.0 stars to remain neutral. This allows us to log our journey, note the facts, and respect the hard work of the kitchen without causing harm.
3.5 to 5 Stars (The Good): Reserved for meals that we genuinely enjoyed, recommend, or would return to eat again.
3.0 Stars (The Neutral) Represents our scoring baseline score, meaning “solidly average”, functional, or safe, but lacking magic. It keeps the score from hurting the restaurant while letting us record our experience.
Not for me/ No Score This is our ‘Document Only’ rating. We publish a descriptive write-up or a ‘tasting notes’ log without attaching any stars or numbers. This is our nonjudgmental approach.
Meet the Team…
Bobbi Pike
Bobbi is an author, artist and writer. She has written 3 bestselling cookbooks and is also the artistic talent behind Salty Prairie Art.
Originally from Spaniard’s Bay, Newfoundland, Bobbi now lives in Calgary, Alberta. She is a freelance writer, wife, mother, and puppy mom.
Geoff Pike
Geoff is the Database Team Lead at Viasat
Global and is a Husband and Dad. He is a passionate cook, and a lover of NL/Irish and Country music.Geoff is also a native of Spaniard’s Bay, Newfoundland, and currently resides in Calgary Alberta
Virtual Tastings
Join us online as we discover exciting events around Calgary, from festivals to artisan markets. We’ll take you along virtually so you know your way around when you arrive.
Community Partnerships
Our reviews and experiences are tailored to foster connections with, culinary teams, local artisans & creators who share the best of Calgary through their offerings.
Culinary Exploration
Discover the heart of Calgary, uncovering hidden culinary treasures across all quadrants of Calgary.
Cultural Engagement
We explore experiences rooted in Calgary’s rich culture and traditions, helping you connect with the local community.
FAQ’s
Why did you decide to create Calgary Uncovered?
Bobbi: I think it was a natural progression of what we’ve been doing all along.
We worked our way into the food industry in Newfoundland and loved it there, but we quickly realized that it was a LOT of work for just two people. Because we made everything at the market from scratch, from mayo to spice mixes — the running of the farmers market food stall got to be too much for two people. Like the dog who finally caught the car, we were in a situation of ‘now what do we do with that car?’…or in our case, where do we go from here?
Then we decided to move. Our first steps were to check out the YYC farmers market scene, where we realized the commitment of time— and money— would be even more. As much as we loved being in the food industry, we knew it would be too much for our current capacity.
As we started exploring our new home and then recounted it on social media, people seemed to enjoy the stories. We kept hearing, ‘You two should be tourism ambassadors for Calgary’. So, taking our foodie world, my creative side, and our love for all things Alberta into account… Here we are.
Do you have a weekly or monthly newsletter that I can join?
Geoff: No, but you can sign up to get notified anytime we post a new review or add any new content to the website. You’ll find the sign-up at the bottom of this website page. You can also follow our adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
Can I suggest a local business, hidden gem, or story idea?
Bobbi: Absolutely! We’re the newbies here in Calgary; if you’ve got a spot that we should check out, we’d love to hear from you! Just fill in the form found on the ‘Contact us‘ page, and one of us will get back to you as soon as we’re able.
How can I invite Calgary Uncovered to visit my own restaurant or event?
Geoff: WE would be honoured to get the invite! You can fill in the form on the ‘Contact Us‘ page, or email us directly HERE.