First 100 guests will receive a free 6-inch sandwich on June 12 and $6.99 Classics from June 15 to June 17

ST. THOMAS, Ont., June 4, 2026 – Jimmy John’s is set to bring the “Sandwich of Sandwiches” to St. Thomas with the grand opening of its first location in the city at 1025 Talbot Street, Unit 5, on Friday, June 12. This marks the 16^th Jimmy John’s location in Canada.

A grand opening celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. To mark the occasion, the first 100 guests will receive a free 6-inch sandwich and a 16 oz. fountain drink. From June 15 to June 17, all guests can enjoy $6.99 Classic sandwiches.

“We’re excited to officially open our doors in St. Thomas and introduce the community to the Jimmy John’s experience,” said Mike Warren, director of operations at Jimmy John’s. “We look forward to welcoming guests for great food, fast service and a fun grand opening celebration.”

Franchisees Abhay Panchal and Akshay Patel will celebrate the grand opening of Jimmy John’s St. Thomas on June 12, 2026. The first 100 guests will receive a free 6-inch sandwich and a 16 oz. fountain drink as part of the opening celebration. Photo: Foodtastic.

Guests can choose from Jimmy John’s menu of sandwiches, including signature options such as the Beach Club and Italian Night Club, classics such as The Pepe and Turkey Tom, and the brand’s the new Canadian wraps, the Chicken Caesar Club and Tuscan Italian.

“We’re proud to bring Jimmy John’s to St. Thomas and introduce guests to the fresh flavour and great service the brand is known for,” said Abhay Panchal, franchisee, Jimmy John’s St. Thomas. “We look forward to becoming part of the community and welcoming our first guests on June 12.”

For more information, follow Jimmy John’s on Instagram at instagram.com/jimmyjohns.ca or visit JimmyJohns.ca.

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About Jimmy John’s

Founded in 1983, Jimmy John’s has immortalized the role of the sandwich in modern society. Driven by its bold aspiration “The Sandwiches of Sandwiches”, the banner offers hungry Canadians a meat-packed menu of made-to-order sandwiches, wraps and sides – all with the freshest ingredients and speed of service. Under the care of Montreal-based Foodtastic, which launched the brand in Canada in 2024, Jimmy John’s now has more than seven locations in the great north. For more information, visit JimmyJohns.ca.

About Foodtastic

Foodtastic is a leading Canadian restaurant franchisor with a portfolio of 27 diverse brands and over 1,200 establishments across the country. As a growing industry player, Foodtastic focuses on innovation, operational excellence, and the legacy of local brands to drive both national and international expansion. Iconic brands include Rotisseries Benny, La Belle et La Bœuf, Monza, Second Cup, Quesada, Freshii, and Pita Pit, among others. With a bold vision and strong franchise partnerships, Foodtastic continues to build a dynamic and influential presence in the global food service industry. More information is available at  www.foodtastic.ca.

The world’s largest cheese competition will be accepting registration for entry online

Calling all cheesemakers! On 11 June, the 38^th World Cheese Awards will start accepting registrations for entry.

The most highly respected and well-recognised celebration of cheese on the planet is taking place in Córdoba, Andalusia from 12-15 November, as the centrepiece of the Andalucía-Gusto del Sur International Cheese Festival 2026.

Anyone hoping to enter this year’s awards should head to gff.co.uk/worldcheese from 11 June, where they will find more information and instructions on how to take part.

The Guild of Fine Food, the organisation behind the World Cheese Awards, has 20 consolidation points across the globe, providing relevant regional advice and support as well as an accessible portal for cheesemakers to securely deliver their entries. This system is in place to break down the barriers that smaller producers often face when looking to compete on an international level.

The judging panel is what makes the World Cheese Awards so credible and well trusted, with each member handpicked for their expertise, including technologists, graders, retailers, journalists, buyers, chefs, producers, and other key industry professionals and influential figures.

The judging is conducted blind to ensure total fairness, and considers factors such as the appearance of the rind and paste, aroma, body, texture and, most notably, flavour and mouthfeel.

Places are limited, as the judging takes place over the course of a single day. Last year, in Bern, Switzerland, the World Cheese Awards saw over 5,000 cheeses entered from 46 countries, which were judged by 265 cheese experts from 46 countries.

As an internationally recognised accreditation that assesses each cheese on its own merit, an award from the World Cheese Awards ensures your product stands out on crowded cheese counters. It can also provide motivation for your team as well as increasing sales and brand awareness by showcasing your cheese on an international stage.

For further information, including last year’s trophy winners and World Champion Cheese, and for the directory of all the award-winning cheeses from the past three years, visit gff.co.uk/worldcheese.

To keep up to date during the entry period, lead up to the awards, and the event itself, follow the Guild of Fine Food (@guildoffinefood) on social media, and watch the judging day unfold on World Cheese Awards TV.

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Vancouver, B.C., May 29, 2026 – Vancouver’s Published on Main has once again been named as one of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, coming in at No.17 this year. The list was announced at a captivating awards ceremony yesterday evening in New Orleans, following the inaugural edition of the ranking by the 50 Best organization last year.

The culinary world gathered from all corners of North America for the occasion to celebrate each another’s achievements at the unveiling of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants. Hosted at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, the event highlights outstanding restaurant experiences across the region that will shape the aspirations of consumers, gastronomes, and restaurateurs.

"We are honoured and proud to be named to North America's 50 Best Restaurants for the second year in a row," says Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson, chef-partner, Published on Main. "This recognition puts us in such great company, and it belongs to our incredible team, who pour their energy and passion into every single service because they love what they do. Accolades like this keeps us going. But most importantly of all, thank you to our guests for continuing to believe in us and enjoy meals at our table. That is something we will never take for granted."

Since opening its doors in December 2019, Published on Main has built a reputation around its deep commitment to highlighting British Columbia's incredible food through its farmers, foragers, fishers, and local producers. The menu continues to draw inspiration from its Canadian roots, while also highlighting global influences. Over 90 per cent of its ingredients are sourced locally and sustainably, where every dish carries a sense of place.

The Published on Main team is currently led by Stieffenhofer-Brandson, chef de cuisine Nolan Hennenfent, general manager Aaron Matsuzaki, beverage director Joe Casson, and wine director Haley Macleod.

Faye Huggett, Director of Community for 50 Best, says: “The second edition of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants celebrates the extraordinary diversity, creativity and excellence that define the region’s dining scene. From pioneering dining institutions to bold new voices, the list reflects the depth and dynamism of North America’s rich culinary landscape. We’re proud to honor these exceptional restaurants along with the individuals and teams who bring them to life.”

The list of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants was revealed as part of a live countdown from No.50 to No.1. The ranking is complemented by a host of special awards and reflects the very best restaurant experiences around the region, collated from the votes of 300 anonymous experts. This voting panel – North America’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy – comprises a balanced mix of chefs, restaurateurs, food/restaurant journalists, and gourmets, led by a group of industry-leading Academy Chairs.

For information on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, visit https://www.theworlds50best.com/northamerica

For more information about Published on Main, please visit www.publishedonmain.com.

SURREY, British Columbia, May 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chop Steakhouse & Bar is officially open in South Surrey. Welcoming guests as of today, the brand-new location marks an exciting milestone for the Canadian steakhouse brand, opening its 20th restaurant during Chop’s 20th year in operation. Conveniently located adjacent to the Shops at Morgan Crossing and Grandview Corners Shopping Mall, the new restaurant brings Chop’s signature modern steakhouse experience to the South Surrey and White Rock communities.

Located at 16051 24th Ave, Surrey, the restaurant is just minutes from popular local destinations including Softball City and the South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre, Chop South Surrey is perfectly positioned to become a go-to gathering place for celebrations, casual lunches, after-work drinks, and weekend dinners.

Designed with Chop’s modern aesthetic and warm hospitality in mind, the South Surrey location features an enclosed four-season patio, along with a private dining room ideal for corporate events, birthdays, and group gatherings of all sizes.

“With the opening of Chop South Surrey, we’re celebrating a meaningful milestone for our team - our 20th restaurant in our 20th year,” says Christina Kuypers, President & COO, Chop Steakhouse & Bar. “Chop has grown because of the communities that have welcomed us in, and we’re excited to now be part of South Surrey. There’s a strong sense of energy and community here, and we’re looking forward to creating a space where people can come together over great food, celebrate life’s moments, big and small, and feel genuinely cared for every time they walk through our doors.”

Chop South Surrey is now open for lunch, Happy Hour, dinner, and late night, offering guests more opportunities than ever to enjoy Chop’s elevated menu and welcoming atmosphere. Chop’s daily Happy Hour continues to be a standout feature, offering great value and a lively setting for everything from spontaneous meetups to celebrations.

“We’re incredibly excited to officially open our doors in South Surrey,” says Andy Ahluwalia, Franchisee and Owner, “Opening this restaurant in the community where I grew up makes this moment especially meaningful for me. South Surrey has such a strong sense of community, and from the very beginning, we wanted to create a space where people can come together to celebrate, connect, and make lasting memories.”

The opening of Chop South Surrey continues the brand’s commitment to delivering premium steaks, standout cocktails, and memorable guest experiences in a stylish and modern setting.

Chop Steakhouse & Bar South Surrey is now open and welcoming guests starting May 28, 2026. For updates, opening announcements, and sneak peeks, visit www.chop.ca