Teatro restaurant serves up ‘iconic’ meal to YWCA clients
For Chef Matthew Batey, a setback gave way to opportunity.
When the province made the decision to delay Stage 1 of its reopening plan in Calgary, some restaurants were left with huge amounts of fresh food destined to spoil without the help of delivery and pickup orders — or, in Batey’s case, a community partnership.
On Friday, the executive chef of Teatro, with the help of his colleagues, prepared 50 meals for clients of the YWCA Calgary by way of Calgary food journalist Julie Van Rosendaal.
“I like to use the expression crisis or opportunity,” said Batey.
“Do you sit in a corner and think about how it’s a crisis and how it’s negative, or can you see through the discomfort into what might be an opportunity and take care of somebody else? For our team, this is what really matters.”
Teatro, like many other establishments in Calgary, was prepared to open its doors May 14 and had stocked up inventory and brought staff back to serve patrons.
But hours before the expected reopening, Premier Jason Kenney announced a gradual approach in the city hardest hit by COVID -19 in the province. Now, the earliest city restaurants will be able to open is May 25.
“It was tough,” said Batey. “Opening a restaurant isn’t as simple as opening a door. The work that goes on behind the scenes is massive. We had a lot of time and money invested in product and in our people.”
Being able to turn the situation into something positive was a big win for the long-standing Calgary eatery. They served up a four-course meal for clients at the YWCA’S three community housing residences — fresh focaccia, salad with roasted shallot vinaigrette, the “iconic” Teatro pasta bolognese and chocolate torte with roasted strawberries.
The meal was provided to YWCA clients at cost and paid for with assistance from donors to help Teatro recover some of its losses.
Talia Bell, vice-president of programs and services at YWCA, said Friday’s meal showed the incredible cross-collaboration between businesses and the non-profit sector in Calgary.
“It is something, truly, to be proud of,” said Bell.
“(Our clients) were pretty excited and so were our staff to be able to serve something like that. It was a wonderful way to lift spirits, especially as women are facing all the challenges the pandemic has brought.”
Experts say the COVID-19 crisis is amplifying risks for families experiencing domestic violence.
“This is a time when women need to know this is a safe place to go,” said Bell, adding the restaurant’s gesture was a great way to show these women they are supported during a difficult time.