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May 21, 2026 – Toronto, ON – Canadians are increasingly looking for ways to level up their everyday meals and bring a sense of discovery to their home cooking. Reflecting an ongoing commitment to meeting evolving consumer tastes, dairy leader Lactalis Canada’s Cracker Barrel brand is answering that call with the launch of the new Cracker Barrel Signature line. Created to bridge the gap between specialty indulgence and everyday convenience, this line is a new standard in the grocery experience.

Created for consumers seeking flavour exploration, variety, and inspiration from their cheese, the Signature line features a curated range of products that bring an elevated taste and texture to meals and entertaining occasions alike. While Cracker Barrel’s core line remains the trusted, high-quality staple for everyday meals, the Signature line is crafted specifically for those moments that call for a more adventurous flavour profile or a sophisticated culinary experience.

“Lactalis Canada’s Cracker Barrel Signature brings a sense of inspiration and discovery to the dairy aisle by meeting the growing demand for affordable indulgence without the specialty price tag,” said Melanie Isaac-Taitt, Senior Director, Marketing, Cheese & Tablespreads, Lactalis Canada. “With unique and bold varieties, this line is designed to inspire new occasions and invite Canadians to ‘add their signature’ to make everyday meals feel a little more special and personal.”

Offering a variety of styles, including blocks, slices, and shreds, and the brand’s first-ever spreads, the Signature line helps home cooks easily add their signature touch to any dish. The line features:

Cracker Barrel Signature Spreadable Monterey Jack: A new and exciting spreadable cheese, this is available in flavours Mexicana (mildly tangy with subtle heat) and Habanero (cheesy depth with an intense burst of heat). These varieties are crafted to meet a growing desire among Canadians for complex heat and adventurous staples, offering a rich, creamy texture.

Cracker Barrel Signature Gourmet Shreds: A sophisticated, elevated blend featuring Asiago, Gouda, and Mild Cheddar. This expertly blended cheese provides a sharp and nutty balance that brings a restaurant-quality experience to home cooking.

The Signature lineup: The line also features a variety of distinctive offerings, including spicy flavours, smoked cheeses, feta, and varieties such as Havarti and Swiss, giving Canadians more ways to discover elevated options with a brand they know and trust.

Consistent with the brand’s long-standing commitment to quality and local sourcing, all products in the Signature line are made with 100% Canadian milk.

The Cracker Barrel Signature line is available now at major retailers across the country. To learn more and find inspiration for your next meal, please visit crackerbarrel.ca/our-cheese/signature.

 
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Vancouver, B.C. – May 20, 2026 – This spring, Fairmont Waterfront’s ARC Restaurant is launching an all-new dining experience – Led by a Love of … – an exclusive evening at Chef’s Bench designed for groups of 6-12 guests. Created to celebrate the freshest ingredients of the season and the joy of shared dining, the intimate family-style affair offers a curated menu from Executive Chef Harris Sakalis and is inspired by ARC’s West Coast philosophy: Led by a Love of Land and Sea.

The series will debut with its inaugural Led by a Love of Spot Prawns edition, an exclusive ‘one-off’ event on May 28 showcasing a well-loved B.C. favourite across an exclusive five-course menu. Attendees will be delighted with spot prawn tartare and orzotto, alongside local caviar and a family-style main course, featuring spot prawns over a charcoal grill. All ingredients will be sourced from local suppliers, farms and producers, and wherever possible, dishes will be complemented by herbs, fruits and vegetables harvested from Fairmont Waterfront’s very own rooftop garden.

Guests can expect a tableside introduction of each dish by Executive Chef Harris Sakalis, who will share the inspiration behind each course, alongside insights into the locally sourced ingredients featured throughout the menu.

Led by a Love of…” is designed to evolve with the seasons and reflect what our chefs are most inspired by at that moment,” said Mike Pagnacco, Director of Food & Beverage at Fairmont Waterfront. “It gives our team the freedom to cook creatively, showcase incredible local ingredients and create shared dining experiences that feel fresh, personal and distinctly West Coast. We can’t wait to welcome guests around the table.”

Beyond the series’ first spot prawn edition, guests can look forward to Led by a Love of Spring throughout June. The experience will showcase standout ingredients from across the province, including locally foraged morel mushrooms, asparagus, spring lamb and Pacific Northwest halibut.

Following the Spring edition, diners will discover Led by a love of Garden, a four-part summer dining series hosted within the hotel’s rooftop garden. Each immersive evening will begin with a garden-to-glass cocktail and interactive honeybee encounter, before guests take their seats amongst the blooms for a multi-course Province to Plate menu. A different B.C. wine partner will support each event, offering insight into the thoughtfully curated wine pairings served throughout the evening.

Further editions Led by a Love of Harvest and Led by a Love of Wild will celebrate the rich flavours and exceptional ingredients of the fall months.

Limited reservations for the inaugural Led by a Love of Spot Prawns experience, along with the subsequent Led by a Love of Garden series, are available now through ARC’s website: ARC Restaurant | West Coast Restaurant in Vancouver, BC

 
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VANCOUVER, B.C., May 20, 2026 /CNW/ - Everything Canadians love about A&W is getting smashed! Canada's Original Burger Chain is officially launching the first-ever A&W Smash Burger nationwide on May 25th. We are searing our juicy grass-fed beef patties to bring you A&W's deliciously smashed answer to this popular burger style. For a limited time, Canadians can smash either a single or a double, loaded with melted cheddar cheese, tangy pickles, sliced onions and a secret sauce, all served on a toasted brioche bun.

A Canadian QSR First

A&W is proud to be the first Canadian QSR to introduce a smash burger to its menu nationwide. Recognizing that smash burgers are having a moment, A&W wanted to bring the hype to every corner of Canada so that no burger lover is left out.

"Hand-smashed burgers are rarely done at this scale because it takes quality ingredients and thoughtful execution," says Karan Suri, Senior Director, Innovation at A&W Canada. "Each hand-smashed, juicy, grass-fed beef patty is paired with real cheddar cheese, tangy pickles, and our signature sauce for a perfectly balanced bite. Pure burger bliss."

"There is something so special about the simplicity of a perfect smash burger! We are excited to be welcoming Canadians to try our delicious new obsession," says Susan Senecal, CEO of A&W Canada. "The same quality and care you know and love from A&W is now bringing you a fun and flavourful smash burger."

The Smashed A&W Pop-Up in Toronto

A&W is welcoming Torontonians to an exclusive first taste of their new smash burger. We felt inspired, and maybe even a little carried away, by "smashing" our grass-fed beef. So, the natural next step was to give an entire A&W Restaurant the same "smash" treatment. A whole new look, an even better sizzle. Join us for the reveal and claim your complimentary Double Smash Burger. First-come, first-served, only while supplies last, with one burger per person.

Date: Friday, May 22nd

Time: 12 pm-5 pm EDT

Location: 780 King Street West

Canadians can head to their local A&W or order a Double or Single Smash Burger through the mobile app beginning May 25th, for a limited time.

 
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Richmond Hill, ON May 19, 2026 — Affinity Group is proud to announce a significant expansion of its Western Canada operations with the opening of a new office and culinary facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba, alongside the expansion of its British Columbia office and culinary centre.

These investments reinforce Affinity Group’s position as a leading national foodservice broker, delivering strong regional expertise across Western Canada while supporting partners coast to coast.

Strengthening Western Canada Coverage

With established operations in Calgary, Winnipeg, and Burnaby, Affinity Group continues to build one of the most comprehensive foodservice support networks in the region. The new Winnipeg facility enhances service and accessibility in the Prairies, while the expanded BC office and culinary centre increases capacity to support the growing needs of operators and distributors in the West.

Together, these strategic investments ensure Affinity Group can deliver full sales coverage, deeper market insights, and stronger on-the-ground support across Western Canada.

Enhanced Culinary Capabilities

Affinity Group’s culinary centres are at the heart of its value proposition, providing hands-on expertise and solutions that drive business growth. Staffed by experienced corporate chefs, these centres offer:

• Menu development and innovation
• Product application and operator training
• Tailored solutions for evolving foodservice trends

The Winnipeg opening and BC expansion significantly enhance these capabilities, enabling Affinity Group to better serve partners with localized, chef-driven support.

Continued Investment in a National Platform

While these developments strengthen Western Canada, they are part of a broader commitment to building a coast-to-coast brokerage network that delivers consistent, high-quality service across all regions.

Affinity Group continues to invest in facilities, people, and resources to ensure operators, distributors, and manufacturers benefit from both regional strength and national reach.

 
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11 May 2026 – The list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026, sponsored by Perrier, will be unveiled as part of a live awards ceremony in Milan, Italy in early October. The most influential annual gathering of the global bars community returns to Europe, as 50 Best continues its mission to spotlight fresh, dynamic and inspirational cocktail destinations from across the world.

The much-anticipated reveal of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026 and the coveted title of The World’s Best Bar, sponsored by Perrier, will take centre stage at a grand celebration featuring red‑carpet arrivals and a drinks reception. Marking the 18th edition of the renowned awards, the global drinks community will gather in Milan to celebrate the trailblazing bars and bartenders whose passion, dedication and skill continue to push cocktail culture to new heights worldwide.

The list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026 will be shaped by the confidential votes of the gender-balanced Academy, comprising more than 800 industry professionals, journalists and cocktail experts, handpicked by the 29 Academy Chairs for their unrivalled insight and expertise. Professional services consultancy Deloitte independently oversees and verifies the results, ensuring a robust and credible process. Additional information on the voting methodology is included at the end of this press release.

Rikki Tidball, Managing Director of Events for The World’s 50 Best Bars, says: “Milan provides a fitting backdrop for The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026, a city renowned for its rich cocktail heritage and thriving bar scene. Home to some of the industry’s most respected and innovative talent, it sets the stage to bring together the international bars community to celebrate creativity, excellence and the achievements of the world’s finest bars and bartenders, while inspiring discovery among cocktail enthusiasts worldwide.”

In the lead‑up to the ceremony, 50 Best will not only announce the venues that have ranked between No.51 and No.100 but also the recipients of two special awards that recognise the outstanding achievements of one bar and one bartender over the past year:

● Michter’s Art of Hospitality. The Academy are each invited to nominate the venue where they experienced the single most outstanding display of hospitality during the voting period

● Altos Bartenders’ Bartender. The bars who rank on the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026 are asked to identify one fellow professional who, over the course of the last 18 months, has done the most to advance the art and practice of bartending

Earlier this year, bars from all over the world, whether they feature in the list of The World’s 50 Best bars or not, were invited to submit themselves for two special awards, the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award and the Best Bar Design Award. The winners will be revealed at the live awards ceremony in Milan. Last week, entries opened for the 50 Best Bars Scholarship, an initiative designed to support the next generation of industry talent. The scholarship offers one trailblazing young bartender the opportunity to broaden their horizons through two unique stages at Line, Athens and Tres Monos, Buenos Aires. The recipient of the 50 Best Bars Scholarship will also be announced during the ceremony in Milan.

Cocktail lovers across the world are invited to join the live countdown of the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026, sponsored by Perrier, through the 50 Best YouTube channel.

 

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