New York, NY – [January 12, 2026] –, the global organization dedicated to advancing and supporting women leaders in food, beverage, and hospitality, proudly announces the appointment of Marilyn Freundlich as President of the International Board of Directors for 2026, alongside the newly elected slate of officers and chapter liaisons.

An entrepreneur and community builder at heart, Freundlich brings decades of leadership experience across hospitality, food, retail, and nonprofit service. Her presidency builds on a career defined by connection, inclusivity, and a deep commitment to celebrating people through food and shared experiences.

Freundlich’s professional journey began as the first hire at Build-A-Bear Workshop, where she helped shape the brand’s beloved culture centered on creativity, joy, and meaningful connection. In 2007, she co-founded POPtions! Popcorn, delighting customers across St. Louis and nationwide until 2019. That same year, she launched Inclusively Yours Ceremonies, where she serves as a professionally trained wedding officiant and ordained Universal Life Minister, creating inclusive, personalized ceremonies for couples of all cultures, orientations, and belief systems.

Her commitment to hospitality, community building, and women-led leadership is closely aligned with the mission of Les Dames d’Escoffier. Within the St. Louis Chapter, Freundlich served as Fundraising Chair for four years, served on the GCI Committee, and completed a two-year term as Chapter President from 2019 to 2021. She has remained actively engaged at the international level, with a particular focus on fundraising and food-centered educational programming.

“I’m honored to serve an organization that has profoundly shaped my own leadership journey,” said Freundlich. “Les Dames is built on generosity, mentorship, and the power of women lifting one another up. This year, I’m excited to continue expanding our impact, supporting women in our industry while strengthening the connections that make this organization so special.”

2026 International Board of Directors Appointments:
​Marilyn Freundlich, President – St. Louis Chapter
​Barb Pires, First Vice President – Atlanta Chapter
​Beth D’Addono, Second Vice President – New Orleans Chapter
​Kate Howell, Third Vice President – London Chapter
​Leigh Sloss-Corra, Secretary – Birmingham Chapter
​Anastasia Nickerson, Treasurer – Boston Chapter
​Nancy Vienneau, Chapter Board Liaison – Nashville Chapter
​Elise Russ, Chapter Board Liaison – San Antonio Chapter
​Belinda Smith-Sullivan, Chapter Board Liaison – North Carolina Chapter
​Stephanie Jaeger, Immediate Past President – British Columbia Chapter

Together, the 2026 Board reflects the depth, diversity, and global reach of Les Dames d’Escoffier International. Under Freundlich’s leadership, LDEI will continue to advance its mission through scholarships, grants, mentorship, and programming that uplift women and strengthen communities across the food, beverage, and hospitality landscape.

Founded 50 years ago with the establishment of the New York Chapter by Carol Brock, Les Dames d’Escoffier International has since grown into a global organization connecting nearly 3,000 women across 40 chapters worldwide. Built on generosity, mentorship, and shared purpose, LDEI members believe in lifting others as they rise, using their talents to open doors, share knowledge, and support one another. Through education, philanthropy, and storytelling, LDEI creates opportunities and builds confidence for women at every stage of their careers.

Looking ahead to April 2026, Les Dames d’Escoffier International will convene its Annual Conference in Las Vegas, bringing together members from around the world for education, collaboration, and connection. More information about the conference can be found .

For more information, visit www.ldei.org or contact info@ldei.org.

Vancouver, B.C., January 7, 2026 – On January 28, 2026,  at Fairmont Pacific Rim will welcome chef-owner James Knappett of London’s acclaimed, two MICHELIN-starred  for an exclusive collaboration dinner with executive chef Hector Laguna.

Presented as part of Dine Out Vancouver’s 10th annual , this one-night-only cross-Atlantic culinary experience brings together two chefs united by a seasonally driven, ingredient-first philosophy. Laguna’s produce-forward approach takes centre stage, while Knappett’s cuisine is shaped by contemporary European influences.

Mirroring Kitchen Table’s signature program, the evening will begin with a welcome cocktail or glass of Champagne at Botanist Bar, before guests are escorted to the dining room for an intimate six-course dinner.

“I look forward to welcoming Chefs James to Botanist and Vancouver for the very first time as part of the World Chef Exchange program,” says Laguna. “We share a deep respect for seasonality and local ingredients, and this dinner is an opportunity to celebrate the global culinary community. It’s going to be a wonderful evening.”

The experience is priced at $225++ per person, or $295++ per person with curated beverage pairings by Head Sommelier Matthew Jacobson in collaboration with Kitchen Table’s co-owner and sommelier, Sandia Chang. Seating begins at 5:30 p.m.

“For me, cooking is about celebrating outstanding ingredients and letting the seasons lead the way,” says Knappett. “At Kitchen Table we craft our daily-changing tasting menu using the very best of what’s available on any given day. I look forward to bringing that perspective to Vancouver with Hector, and to explore the incredible bounty of the Pacific Northwest together.”

Reservations can be booked online .

The  is kicking off 2026 with an inside look at the trends reshaping two powerhouse sectors of franchising—foodservice and retail. With the franchise industry projected to be worth $133.3 billion by 2026, these categories are entering a new era marked by accelerating innovation and fast-changing consumer expectations.

Foodservice Industry Trends:

Popular Categories

• Full-Service Restaurants: Restaurant brands continue to attract franchisees with scalable operations, steady revenue, and innovative menu offerings. As more consumers prioritize in-person experiences, dining out in full-service restaurants continues to be popular.
• Culturally Rooted Brands: Concepts rooted in a founder’s personal, regional, or cultural background are gaining momentum, offering authenticity that resonates with customers.

Sector-Specific Trends to Watch

• Fusion Menus: Combining different cuisines allows brands to stand out while appealing to a wider audience. Fusion menu items are growing in popularity, especially with younger demographics who are drawn to unique menu offerings.
• AI & Smart Operations: Franchise systems are increasingly using AI to streamline operations, from optimizing ordering and inventory to analyzing consumer feedback. These tools help franchisees run more efficiently, make data-driven decisions, and focus on growth.

Retail Industry Trends:

Popular Categories

• Pet Care: Franchises offering pet products and services continue to see strong demand, as Canadians increasingly prioritize the health and well-being of their pets. Rising pet ownership, a willingness to spend on premium products and services, and the humanization of pets are driving growth in this sector, making it a resilient and high-potential category for franchisees.
• Health & Fitness: Wellness focused franchises remain popular, attracting consumers looking for holistic wellness, and lifestyle experiences. Growing awareness of health and mental well-being, combined with increased disposable income for lifestyle and self-care services, is fueling strong demand in this sector. Wellness brands are harnessing technology to deliver products and services, from infrared saunas to video fitness classes to IV drips.

Sector-Specific Trends to Watch

• Eco-Friendly Practices: Sustainability is becoming a major factor in where people spend their money. Consumers, particularly younger generations, are increasingly drawn to sustainable and environmentally conscious brands, creating opportunities for franchisees to align with these values.
• Experience-Driven Retail: Retail concepts are focusing on interactive and memorable experiences to build loyalty and stand out in competitive markets.
• Tech-Enabled Shopping: From e-commerce platforms and mobile apps to digital loyalty programs and AI-driven insights, technology is helping franchisees improve efficiency, optimize operations, and enhance customer experience.

Looking ahead, foodservice and retail remain some of the most attractive sectors for franchise investment, offering strong consumer demand, opportunities for innovation, and room to grow.

Richmond, B.C. (Jan. 5, 2026) — B.C. employers will see no change to the average base premium rate from WorkSafeBC in 2026. For the ninth consecutive year, WorkSafeBC has set the average base rate at $1.55 per $100 of assessable payroll.

Annual base premium rates are driven by provincial injury rates, return-to-work performance and the resulting cost of claims, as well as investment returns.

Each year, the costs in some industries go up, some go down and others stay the same. In 2026, 39 per cent of employers in B.C. will experience a decrease in their industry base rate, 47 per cent will see their industry base rate increase, and 14 per cent will see no change. 

Given the economic uncertainties facing the province, WorkSafeBC made changes to the maximum increases and decreases in 2026 rates for B.C. industries, which have normally been capped at 20 per cent. For 2026, rate increases were capped at 10 per cent, while rate decreases were allowed to reach up to approximately 40 per cent. This change is intended to provide greater rate stability for B.C. employers during challenging economic times.

Maintaining rate stability through surplus funds

WorkSafeBC’s sound financial position in recent years has enabled improvements in the workers’ compensation system for injured workers, while keeping rates stable for employers.

WorkSafeBC’s rate-setting approach includes mechanisms to return surplus funds to employers when the funding level exceeds its target. In 2026, WorkSafeBC is returning an estimated $570 million of surplus funds to employers by pricing premium rates below system costs.

The average base premium rate of $1.55 in 2026 is 15 per cent less than the average cost rate of $1.83, with the difference funded by the surplus.  

Between 2019 and 2026, WorkSafeBC projects that $3 billion of surplus funds will have been returned to employers by pricing premium rates below the cost to run the workers’ compensation system.

Looking ahead

Looking at the year ahead, WorkSafeBC is continuing to see upward claim-cost pressures and a continued reduction in the surplus. If these trends continue, it could lead to a moderate increase in premium rates in the near future. WorkSafeBC will continue to closely monitor cost pressures and keep rates as stable as possible.

The preliminary rates for 2027 will be announced in July of this year.

The Workers Compensation Act requires WorkSafeBC to set premium rates annually for employers to pay for the workers' compensation system. Premiums fund the costs associated with work-related injuries or diseases, health care, wage loss, rehabilitation and administration. 

The workers’ compensation system is independently funded by employer premiums and investment returns. WorkSafeBC does not receive any funding from the provincial government.

Key facts:

• Some of the key sectors benefiting from rate reductions this year include:

• Sawmills (-40 per cent)
• Framing or Residential Forming (-39.9 per cent)
• Dairy Farming (-32.2 per cent)
• Restaurants (-25.6 per cent)
• Prehospital Emergency Health Care (-23.5 per cent)
• Retirement Homes (-13.4 per cent)

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