VICTORIA, BC (October 19, 2026) – Fairmont Empress is pleased to announce the appointment of Demian Fuentes as the Director of Food and Beverage. In this role, Fuentes will oversee the property’s food and beverage operations, lead strategic growth initiatives, and further enhance the guest experience across its culinary and hospitality offerings.

A strategic hospitality executive with more than two decades of international experience, Fuentes has held senior leadership positions with some of the world’s most recognized luxury hospitality and lifestyle dining groups. His career spans the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Australia, with experience in international expansion, financial optimization, and executive team development. He has extensive experience overseeing multi-unit portfolios, leading pre-openings, developing restaurant concepts, and strengthening financial performance.

“I’m thrilled to join Fairmont Empress and begin this new chapter on Canada’s West Coast. Victoria has a distinctive culinary identity, shaped by local producers, its coastal setting, and a vibrant community, and I’m excited to be part of that energy,” said Demian Fuentes. “My goal is to build on the property’s legacy while elevating our outlets through thoughtful cuisine, genuine hospitality, and experiences that reflect the character of this region.”

Fuentes will oversee Tea at the Empress, one of Victoria’s most iconic traditions, serving more than 250,000 cups of tea annually and welcoming generations of guests from around the world. Tea at the Empress is a defining part of Victoria’s identity and a cherished ritual for visitors and locals. Under Fuentes’s leadership, he will build on the tea experience’s legacy—preserving its timeless sense of occasion while introducing a fresh perspective with seasonal touches.

In addition, Fuentes will usher in the next chapter of Q at the Empress. Building on its evolution, he will guide Q at the Empress toward a more elevated and immersive experience with a stronger sense of place. The vision is to create a dining experience that feels distinctly connected to the coast, the seasons, and the region’s local gatherers and producers.

In his purview are The Bengal, the hotel’s breakfast room and one of Victoria’s largest private dining rooms, and DASH, the new grab-and-go coffee shop located in the south wing of the hotel.

TORONTO — Toronto diners will have their first opportunity to experience Canada’s first customizable pho restaurant when Renso Pho-Potle opens to the public on October 24^th.

Located at 506 Queen Street West, Renso Pho-Potle introduces a fresh take on Vietnamese street food through a fast-casual dining experience that puts customization at the centre of every bowl. Inspired by the energy, variety and communal spirit of Vietnamese street food, the restaurant invites guests to build their own customizable pho bowls by choosing from a selection of their broths, proteins, seasonings and garnishes.

The concept offers a modern, approachable way to experience the distinctive flavours of pho with each bowl tailored to individual preferences. Alongside the traditional broth-based bowls, the restaurant is introducing dry pho, offering guests another flavour-forward way to personalize their experience.

“Opening our doors is an exciting milestone and an opportunity to finally share the Renso Pho-Potle experience with Toronto,” says Linda Vu, founder of Renso Pho-Potle. “We wanted to create a place that honours the flavours and traditions that make Vietnamese food so special, while giving every guest the freedom to make their bowl their own. We look forward to welcoming the Queen West community and learning from our guests throughout the soft opening.”

Vietnamese cuisine is known for its balance of sweet, savoury, spicy, sour and umami flavours, often brought together through fresh herbs, citrus, vegetables, meats and slow-prepared broths. At Renso Pho-Potle, these culinary influences come together in a build-your-own format that encourages guests to explore different flavour combinations with each visit.

The soft opening will give the team an opportunity to welcome its first guests, introduce the restaurant’s build-your-own concept and gather feedback as Renso Pho-Potle begins to establish itself in Toronto’s culinary community.

Renso Pho-Potle opens to the public on October 24^th at 506 Queen Street West in Toronto. For more information, please visit www.rensophopotle.ca. Follow Renso Pho-Potle on Instagram, Facebook and //www.tiktok.com/@renso.ko.bites">TikTok.

An additional 7,000 sqm, nearly 150,000 sqm of exhibition space, more than 4,300 exhibitors and brands already confirmed, and a completely redesigned visitor experience: Sirha Lyon is entering a new dimension for its 23rd edition! Taking place from Thursday 21st January to Monday 25th January 2027 at Eurexpo Lyon, the world's leading international event for Foodservice and Hospitality is embarking on a new chapter in its history.

Luc Dubanchet, Managing Director of Sirha Food, outlined the key developments at the launch press conference held in Paris.

Please find the press conference for Sirha Lyon 2027 attached below.

Attachments:

SIRHA LYON 2027 LAUNCH PRESS RELEASE.pdf

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Montreal, October 15, 2026 – Lassonde Food Service ranked sixth among more than 1,500 suppliers evaluated by Sysco Canada, one of the country’s leading food and food service distributors. Lassonde is also the only beverage-sector supplier to rank among the top 10.

The company also received recognition from Gordon Food Service as part of its 2026 VIP Awards, honoring key supplier partners across North America. These two awards underscore Lassonde’s strong relationships with leading food service distributors and reinforce its position as a trusted partner and supplier of choice among its clients.

The Lassonde Food Service team celebrates its recognition by Sysco Canada, which ranked the company sixth among more than 1,500 suppliers evaluated. From left to right: Patrick Beaudoin, Senior Director, Business Development, Lassonde Food Service; François Achim, National Account Manager, Food Service; Amanda Burns, President, North American Beverages Division; and Suzanne Aubry, Senior Vice President, Beverages Away from Home at Lassonde.

“These awards are a testament to the hard work and commitment of our teams across the country,” stated Suzanne Aubry, Senior Vice President, Beverages Away from Home at Lassonde. “They reflect our ability to meet the high standards of an industry where consistency, dependable service, and responsiveness to customer needs are essential. We are proud of what we have accomplished and grateful to see our hard work recognized.”

For Lassonde Food Service, a supplier of juices, beverages, and other products to the food service industry, these accolades highlight the dedication of its teams—from account management and customer service all the way through to operations and supply chain—who work hard every day to build and sustain these business relationships.