Vancouver whisky enthusiasts, get ready. Canada’s premier whisky festival is back and set to take place on (Friday) January 24th and (Saturday) 25th at the Paradox Hotel in downtown Vancouver. The tenth anniversary edition of the highly anticipated event promises to be an exceptional experience for whisky connoisseurs and novices alike. Both General Admission and VIP tickets are available and can be purchased at https://www.thewhiskyglobal.com/vancouver.

This is not your grandfather’s whisky festival. It is a premier experience centred around the tasting of and learning about whiskey. Here’s what to expect:

1. Two Exciting Sessions, Two Days: January 24th and January 25th evenings from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM for VIP, and 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM for general admission.
2. VIP Experience: Attendees can elevate their experience with VIP tickets which grants them access one hour before general admission when vendors are pouring their most premium pours. They will enjoy exclusive access to premium selections from vendors and indulge in rare VIP pours, plus additional perks.
3. Diverse Selection (see Appendix for full list of exhibitors): With over 140 whisky SKUs available for sampling, attendees will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of global flavours and profiles, making it a haven whisky enthusiast.
4. Inclusive Experience: Whisky Global is designed for everyone, from seasoned experts to beginners looking to delve into the world of whisky. The event offers a special opportunity to sip, taste, and learn in a welcoming and comfortable space.
5. All-Inclusive Tickets: Each ticket includes samples of the finest whiskies, whisky-infused dinner, coat check & commemorative souvenir glass.
6. Fun and Social Atmosphere: Whisky Global is not just an event; it's an experience. Guests are encouraged to dress up, mingle, and enjoy live music throughout the memorable night.

“We're thrilled to bring Whisky Global back to Vancouver for its tenth year. The overwhelming response from last year's attendees encouraged us to make our tenth year truly more spectacular. Whether you're a whisky aficionado or just starting your journey, Whisky Global offers a unique and enjoyable experience for all,” said Adam Bloch, the event’s Lead Producer.

MONTREAL, Jan. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MTY Food Group Inc. (“MTY” or the “Company”) (TSX: MTY), franchisor and operator of multiple concepts of restaurants worldwide, announces its quarterly dividend payment will increase from 28.0¢ per share to 33.0¢ per share, a growth of 18%. The 33.0¢ dividend will be payable on February 14, 2025 to shareholders registered in the Company's records at the end of the business day on February 4, 2025.

“This dividend increase reflects our continued confidence in MTY’s financial strength, strategic growth initiatives launched in 2024, and our commitment to delivering value to our shareholders. The 18% increase continues to shows the strength of the MTY brand portfolio, our free cash flow⁽¹⁾ generation abilities and our capacity to return capital to shareholders while investing in our normal course issuer bid. Our brands highlight the resilience of our business model and our focus on sustainable long-term growth. The 18% increase represents the twelfth increase since our first dividend of 4.5¢ per quarter was declared in November 2010.” says Eric Lefebvre, Chief Executive Officer of MTY.

⁽¹⁾ _{This is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the “Non-GAAP measures” section below.}

Non-GAAP measures

Normalized adjusted EBITDA (revenue less operating expenses (excluding transaction costs related to acquisitions) ) and free cash flows (net cash flows provided by operating activities, used in additions to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets and provided by proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment) are non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) measures, do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The Company believes that Normalized adjusted EBITDA is a useful metric because it is consistent with the indicators management uses internally to measure the Company’s performance, to prepare operating budgets and to determine components of executive compensation, without including the impact of transaction costs related to acquisitions, which may vary in occurrence and in amount. The Company believes that free cash flows are a useful metric because it provides the Company with a measure related to decision-making about cash-intensive matters such as capital expenditures, compensation, and potential acquisitions. The Company also believes that these measures are used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties and that these measures allow them to compare the Company’s operations and financial performance from period to period and provide them with a supplemental measure of the operating performance and financial position and thus highlight trends in the core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on GAAP measures.

This year’s exciting trends are the answer to cravings observed around the world. This includes an intentional approach to new-age fusion through regional-traditional cooking (Thoughtfully Borrowed), the layers of flavour and craveability brought to food and drink through acidic agents (Sour Power), and the thoughtful personalization of indulgence today (Indulgence Redefined).

Complementing each of the trends, we’re pleased to share our 2024 Flavour of the Year: Tamarind. With innovative uses in origin cuisines, to elevating dishes and drinks with its craveable tartness, and effortlessly cutting through richness and heat, there is no slowing this fun and funky fruit down.

SOUR POWER

From Tamarind to Coconut vinegar, acidic agents boost craveability!

EXPLORE TREND AND MENU INSPIRATION >

THOUGHTFULLY BORROWED

Reinventing authenticity by respectfully leveraging ingredients and techniques cross-culturally, often experimenting with familiar platforms.

EXPLORE TREND AND MENU INSPIRATION >

INDULGENCE REDEFINED

Bold, exciting, nuanced flavours can come in all shapes and forms – and are craveable all the same. From Newstalgic foods to flavour layering, it’s all an extension of you!

EXPLORE TREND AND MENU INSPIRATION >

Vancouver, BC, Jan 21, 2025 - The Chinese Restaurant Awards is proud to once again partner with St. Paul’s Foundation for the Scotiabank Feast of Fortune Charity Gala, taking place on February 22, 2025, at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver. A star-studded lineup of five award-winning and emerging chefs will headline the gala, offering a memorable culinary experience to inspire philanthropy. Proceeds will support St. Paul’s Foundation’s work to drive medical innovation, improve the quality of care for patients and residents, and cultivate research breakthroughs with a global impact.

Since its inception in 2008, donors to Scotiabank Feast of Fortune have contributed more than $23.2 million, helping to fund life-saving diagnostic tools, state-of-the-art surgical equipment, and groundbreaking research across Providence Health Care’s hospitals and care sites. As a long-time partner, the Chinese Restaurant Awards is honoured to mark its 11th year of collaboration with the gala. This partnership underscores a shared commitment to shifting health care from the ordinary to extraordinary through a unified effort between the restaurant industry and St. Paul’s Foundation.

“We’re excited to partner with the Chinese Restaurant Awards for the 18th annual Scotiabank Feast of Fortune Charity Gala. This year, we are proud to raise funds that will help bring compassionate care to patients and families, support life-changing research, and underpin the future of health care at the new Jim Pattison Medical Campus,” says Sheila Biggers, President and CEO, St. Paul’s Foundation. “Donations to St. Paul’s Foundation will enable us to realize the vision of the medical campus, making possible a health ecosystem that will change lives for generations.”

Guests at the gala can expect an extraordinary culinary experience, with a menu crafted by five award winning and new wave chefs, including the Chinese Restaurant Awards’ Dim Sum Chef of the Year 2024 Lai Wei of Lanxuan Restaurant and Michelin Young Chef Award 2023 recipient Chef Warren Chow of Wildlight Kitchen + Bar. The chefs will unite to create a Chinese-inspired feast, blending traditional and contemporary flavours to celebrate the Lunar New Year and the theme of the Year of the Snake. This evening of creativity, culture, and culinary excellence will support St. Paul’s Foundation’s work to accelerate the transformation of health care across Providence and throughout BC.

Featured Chefs:

Dim Sum Head Chef Wei Lai, Lanxuan Restaurant (Chinese Restaurant Awards Dim Sum Chef of the Year 2024)
Executive Chef Warren Chow, Wildlight Kitchen and Bar (Michelin Young Chef Award 2023 recipient)
Chef de Cuisine Toby Chen, Missing Chopsticks
Culinary Director Danny Deng, Neue Catering
Chef owner Jay Yip, Petite Bao

Transform lives and create a lasting impact for generations to come. Join St. Paul’s Foundation and the award-winning and new wave chefs in supporting the Scotiabank Feast of Fortune Charity Gala on February 22, 2025.

To join the gala in person or to make a donation, please visit: https://helpstpauls.com/feast-of-fortune/
More about the participating chefs - www.chineserestaurantawards.com/Feast-of-Fortune-2025.

Supporting partners of the tasting presentation: The Dalmore, Hamadaya, Olympic Distributors, Geoduck Canada, Fresh Ideas Start Here, Hook and Herd, Two Rivers Meats, Wingtat Game Bird Packers, and Vancouver Community College