Matthew Batey, the Chief Operating Officer of Teatro Group, is the driving force behind Cucina Market Bistro, a vibrant restaurant nestled in downtown Calgary. With a passion for bringing people together through exceptional food, drinks, and hospitality, Batey leads a team that prioritizes fresh, high-quality ingredients and traditional Italian cooking methods. In this interview, Batey shares insights into Cucina’s unique offerings, its diverse clientele, and the challenges and joys of working in the ever-changing restaurant industry.
What is your business called and what does it do?
Cucina Market Bistro is a restaurant located in downtown Calgary rooted in the cuisine of Italy, that utilizes fresh high-quality ingredients, from-scratch cooking and traditional techniques. Cucina draws on the iconic wine cellar of Teatro Ristorante, the flagship of the Teatro Group.
What made you want to do this work?
I love bringing joy to others through delicious food, top-quality drinks, and warm gracious hospitality.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
Offer top-quality dining experience to our guests in a welcoming comfortable space known for breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner. No matter what time of day a guest joins us, they can count on Cucina for quality.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
Varies based on the day and time. We have a loyal clientele of guests who work in the core, friends who meet for a perfect coffee and those out for dinner who are looking for a quality experience in a less formal space.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
Downtown central Calgary / the core.
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
Pretty open-ended. Food is very subjective. Questions would be related to type of food/beverage offering, hours of operation, if the restaurant does events.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
Best – bringing joy to others, guests and team members alike
Worst – fragility of the industry
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
…. Too many cooks in the kitchen, no such thing in my world….
Where can we follow you?
Instagram | Website | Teatro Group newsletter: Subscribe at the bottom of this webpage
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
We are fortunate to work with many local suppliers and producers such as (but certainly not limited to)
- Meta4 Provisions
- City Fish
- Galimax
- Ear to the Earth Farm
- One For The Road Brewing
- Last Best
- Cabin
- Ol’ Beautiful
