Living Boldly: A Conversation With Food Writer & TV Personality Dan Clapson

In our competitive cities, you need to be bold to set yourself apart.

We found six of the boldest men in Canada to get a little more insight into their lives, jobs, and competitive edge.

This week, we got to spend a morning with Calgary’s Dan Clapson, a sometimes-challenging task considering how in demand this food writer and TV personality is right now. Indulging in a glass of Graffigna Pinot Grigio before lunch – one of the many perks of working in this industry – Dan gave us all the details on what sets him apart from the pack. 

Since moving to Calgary in 2006, Dan has worked hard to become one of the leading authorities on restaurant and cocktail trends across the country. A regular jetsetter, he spends his days dining at the most notable eateries from coast to coast, meeting top chefs and writing for several of Canada’s most respected publications. 

Men like Dan have proven that anything is possible, and that if you want to make your dream job a reality, you shouldn’t let anything stop you. 

Tell us what you do in less than 140 characters. Go. 
I’m a freelance writer and columnist based out of Calgary who writes for a number of different publications across the country. 

What is the one most significant milestone that helped you end up where you are today? 
I’ve been writing for five years now, but starting out, being able to work for Food Network Canada was a huge stepping stone for me. It allowed me to reach out to other publications, create new stories, and learn about Canada from coast to coast. 

Graffigna celebrates men who live bold. What does living boldy mean to you? 
Life is all about having fun, seeing the world, trying new things, and exploring everything. To me, living boldy is about eating, drinking and living to your fullest, and really just making the most of life’s experiences.


Drinking red wine says a lot about a person. What does it say about you?
Whether I’ve had a day of television appearances, travel or interviews, there’s nothing I enjoy more than a nice glass of red to cap off the evening. 

Who would you most like to share a glass of Graffigna with? 
Carly Rae Jepsen, for sure. I’ll happily admit I’m a pop music fanatic!

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome in your career and how did you manage to do so? 
Starting out as a new media writer five years ago, it was hard to convince print publications that I was just as capable of a writer as someone who wrote specifically for print. 

The food industry is always evolving. How do you set yourself apart from your peers in this space? 
I travel often. It’s important to understand the restaurant scene in every city, not just the big cities. I like the fact that I can tell people confidently about what’s happening in Winnipeg and Saskatoon with food, while also being to talk about what’s happening in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto.

What drives you on a daily basis? 
I love what I do and it’s great to be able to sit down and interview local chefs, winemakers, mixologists and producers, and learn more about certain facets of the culinary world I may not have known about. It inspires me to do more. 

Who’s someone you look up to, someone who’s living the kind of life you aspire to lead? 
There are a lot of individuals I admire. Ted Allen, who hosts the US series ‘Chopped’, is high on that list. He’s not only a TV personality, but also a great writer.

What advice do you have for anyone else who’s trying to live their life as boldy as possible? 
Don’t ever let someone make you feel bad for what you do, or what you want to do. If you love it, you should pursue it. 

What’s next for you? Where do you see yourself a year from now, five years, 10 years? 
A year from now, I just hope to be doing more of what I’m doing currently. Five years from now, perhaps there will be a cookbook in the works. And 10 years from now, I hope to have a very successful career, a nice house, and maybe a kid or two!


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This post has been sponsored by Graffigna Wines

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