Toronto, April 3, 2025 – While Canada still faces significant challenges from U.S. tariffs, Restaurants Canada is pleased by the federal government’s decision to exempt food from any additional retaliatory tariffs. This will help the foodservice industry regain some much-needed stability and protect the 1.2 million Canadians it employs amid the current economic uncertainty.

“We appreciate the federal government’s and Prime Minister Carney’s willingness to listen to us on this issue,” said Kelly Higginson, Restaurants Canada President and CEO. “Our food supply chains are highly integrated, and many food items we import from the U.S. are not available from other sources in the quantities or timeframes required for our industry. As a result, the impact would have been felt entirely on our side of the border.”

In consultation with the government on Canada’s response to U.S. tariffs, Restaurants Canada shared a list of 39 priority items, including food, food-safe packaging and cleaning supplies, that are critical for the foodservice industry and can’t be easily procured domestically or from other markets.

In addition, Restaurants Canada has advocated for support measures that will mitigate impacts of a prolonged trade dispute with the U.S.:

• Permanently exempting all food and alcohol from GST/HST
• A wage subsidy program to keep employees connected to their workplaces and prevent job losses
• Eliminating interprovincial trade barriers to strengthen the Canadian economy and reducing additional costs and regulations
• Manufacturing credits to enable food and packaging manufacturers to expand production quickly
• Loosening regulations around packaging requirements from out of country products that may be substitutes for American-made products

“There is still a lot of uncertainty for our industry and many others following yesterday’s announcement from the White House,” added Higginson. “So far, the government has shown its commitment to take a nuanced approach that minimizes the impact on Canadians, which is a good thing.”

TORONTO, April 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- , the country’s leading food and support services provider, is thrilled to announce its recognition as one of this year’s Best Workplaces in Canada™ by the —marking the third year of this prestigious honour. This national award celebrates organizations that foster a culture of appreciation, growth, and belonging for their associates.

This comes on the heels of earning a spot on the list of Best Workplaces™ with Most Trusted Executive Teams earlier this year, and marks the 6^th year in a row that Compass Group Canada has been recognized by the institute. The list of honours includes being named a Great Place to Work (2019-2024), Best Workplaces™ with Most Trusted Executives (2024-2025), Best Workplaces™ in Retail and Hospitality (2020-2021), Best Workplaces for Hybrid Work (2022), and Best Workplaces in Canada (2022, 2024, 2025).

Compass Group Canada operates with a core set of leadership commitments that define its workplace culture – We Care, We Share, We Dream, We Deliver. These commitments, embraced at all levels of the organization, foster a people-first culture where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute their best.

“I continue to be amazed by how our team raises the bar for what a great workplace looks like,” said Saajid Khan, CEO Compass Group Canada and ESS North America. “Our associates not only embrace the role they play in building upon our award-winning culture, but their collective commitment is the reason we appear on this list year after year. Whether they’re taking small actions to make their workplace a little safer, recognize their colleagues, or lead others to deliver the quality that Compass is known for, we continue to deliver a Great Place to Work for our people.”

Compass Group Canada is dedicated to fostering a culture that prioritizes professional growth, recognition, and associate well-being. The company offers robust career development opportunities, including a mentorship program, a growing catalog of self-guided learning modules, and structured career pathing to support long-term success. Recognition is also deeply engrained in its culture, highlighted by an annual celebration that brings together associates from across Canada for a Gala in Toronto, honouring their contributions. In the past year, Compass Group Canada has further strengthened its commitment to employees by enhancing health and dental benefits, expanding its retirement program, and improving its employee and family assistance program. Additionally, the launch of a new Inclusion and Belonging strategy ensures that I&B is embedded into every aspect of the business, reinforcing a workplace culture where everyone can thrive.

“It’s moments like these that bring me the greatest joy in being part of this incredible organization,” said Lauren Davey, Chief People and Transformation Officer, Compass Group Canada and ESS North America. “Our team continues to redefine what it means to be one of the Best Workplaces in Canada, exceeding every expectation of a company that has earned recognition from this institution six years in a row. This achievement is a testament to the collective commitment of our teams, who come together every day to create the best workplace experience in the industry. With each award, my pride in this team only grows.”

Some of the specific areas of the company’s culture that were awarded high praise from the associate Trust Index Survey include:

• Trusted Leadership – Our management team is recognized for its honesty and ethical business practices.
• Safety First – Our workplaces are physically safe, a commitment we take seriously and are continuously recognized for. With multiple awards and ongoing improvements, we are always striving to make our environments even safer.
• A Culture of Inclusion – From day one, people feel welcomed. Regardless of role, background, age, gender, sexual orientation, race, or ethnicity—everyone is treated with fairness and respect as a valued member of the team.
• A Proud Workplace – Compass Group Canada fosters a culture where employees feel a deep sense of ownership and pride in their contributions, creating a workplace that is truly valued by its people.

Compass Group Canada is proud and grateful to be named once again as one of the Best Workplaces™ in Canada 2025 by Great Place to Work® Institute and sends their congratulations to all the winners for the 2025 season. To learn more about Compass Group Canada’s culture, click . To see open career opportunities at the company, click .

Vancouver, BC, April 3, 2025 – June, the highly anticipated new bi-level concept from the award-winning team behind The Keefer Bar, one of North America’s 50 Best Bars, will officially open its doors on April 10, 2025. Situated on an iconic street corner in Cambie Village, June invites guests to step into a world where brasserie charm meets spirited revelry. Upstairs, indulge in French-inspired West Coast fare, while downstairs, inventive cocktails keep the night going. Limited dining room reservations can now be made online.

The bi-level, 4,500 square-foot space features 100 seats upstairs, and 35 downstairs (coming soon), with three forthcoming patios.

“June is our vision of a neighbourhood brasserie that offers both warm hospitality and a truly immersive experience, from dinner to late night,” explains co-proprietors Cam Watt and Keenan Hood. “The team has done an exceptional job with the food and drinks menu, and we can’t wait to open our doors, starting with our dining room, and later, our cocktail bar. We want people to settle in, stay a while, and enjoy great company in a space unlike any other in Vancouver thus far.”

For dinner, guests can indulge in June’s sophisticated West Coast-French brasserie menu. Created by head chef Connor Sperling (previously Published on Main, Boulevard), dishes include: appetizers such as Scallop with citrus beurre blanc; Crab Dip with spiced madeleines and dill; and Beef Tartare with calvados, egg yolk, and potato chips. Larger dishes feature a variety of fresh local seafood, such as: Mussels with fino sherry, chili, and petite frites; Halibut with almond, saffron, and spring legumes; and Steelhead with herbs, truffle and walnut.

There will also be some fun happy hour and late night snack surprises, such as a June Dog and Mini Hammies.

“With our dinner menu, it was important for us to curate an experience that isn’t too fussy, but still elevated and special,” explains Sperling, who played a key role alongside Published on Main’s executive chef Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson when the restaurant earned its Michelin star. “We’re serving up some French brasserie classics, like tartare, but we’re also putting our own June take on things – French ravioli with Beurre d'Isigny, a version of French roast chicken with Loong Kong, and of course, steak frites. We’ll definitely have some nostalgic sweets like banana soft serve and chocolate madeleines.”

The cocktail program, collectively designed by bar director Amber Bruce, bar manager Satoshi Yonemori (previously Grapes & Soda), and head bartender Riley Maggs, is at once refined, yet full of whimsy and depth, with bold use of botanical, herbal, and tea-infused elements. This is illustrated by its collection of signature drinks, punctuated by French and Japanese influences, such as with the Genmaicha Clover Club (Beefeater gin, grappa, lemon, raspberry, horseradish, honey, egg white), Sunflower Mauresque (Pernod, fino, tarragon, sunflower orgeat, lemon, milk, soda), and Blue Fizz (Absolut vodka, lime, calpico, blue banana, egg soda).

Other highlights include an exclusive craft ice program, along with an expertly dialled Martini Menu, featuring four such as the Classic June Martini, and the Burnt Gibson (Beefeater gin, dry vermouth, persimmon mignonette, Islay mist, pickled onion), each poured directly from the freezer so they are chilled to perfection.

“When Satoshi, Riley, and I started working on the cocktail menu, our goal was to create drinks that would capture the essence of recognizable classics, as well as options that are entirely unexpected and playful,” says Bruce, who helped lead the Keefer Bar team to earn a spot on North America’s 50 Best Bars list. “Every drink, including our non-alcoholic section, is designed to complement the exciting brasserie energy of June – be it a sip at the bar, a pairing with dinner, or soon, cocktails and snacks in our intimate downstairs bar.”

Acclaimed Mexico City-based architect Héctor Esrawe, who also designed Watt’s Acre Resort in San José del Cabo, Mexico, breathes life into the expansive bi-level space and “embraces a design strategy that honours the character and scale of the original site. The result is a warm expression of contemporary dining—a relaxed, sophisticated, and welcoming experience.” Esrawe notes:

The interior evokes an intimate yet vibrant atmosphere. A wooden ceiling wraps around the walls at mid-height, forming an enveloping structure that brings warmth and fluidity to the space. Copper elements introduce light, reflection, and timeless elegance, while a flowing topography of green ceramic tiles weaves through the restaurant—defining seating areas and adding freshness and energy.

The bar, a central focal point, reflects the venue’s identity with a curated selection of spirits. An open kitchen draws diners into the culinary experience. On one wall, a luminous copper art installation plays with the bar’s sinuous form, creating a striking contrast between the palette’s warm reds and subtle greens.

“From the very beginning, creating a positive, inclusive culture and crafting a welcoming space for everyone has been at the heart of our vision for June,” adds Letícia Castro, general manager, June. “Putting together a group of people that matches this energy was very important to me. Every decision—whether it’s the individuals who make up our team or the details woven into the details of the space—has been made with intention.”

“June is truly a labour of love, a dream realized by all of us who’ve poured our hearts into it. It’s not just a place; it’s a testament to our shared passion and dedication.”

June officially opens its dining room on April 10, 2025, with soft opening days prior. From there, it will be open seven days a week, from 5 p.m. to late. Limited dinner reservations are now available online. Its downstairs concept will open at a later date.

Private bookings are welcome, and enquiries can be made by emailing bookings@juneoncambie.com or for more information, visit www.juneoncambie.com.

New York, NY – April 3, 2025 – Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI) is pleased to announce that applications for the 2025 Scholarships for Impactful Change are now open. These scholarships, available to women aged 21 and older with a minimum of four years of culinary experience, aim to support individuals pursuing degrees within the industry. Applications for the 2025 Les Dames Scholarships open April 3, 2025, and close May 16, 2025.

The Dames’ Scholarships for Impactful Change are open to professional women who are pursuing a degree from an accredited educational institution in culinary or pastry arts education, food systems or agriculture/farming, hospitality management, dietetics and/or nutrition, or the beverage industries.

2024 Winners Clockwise from L:
Lani Furbank, Annabella Gascoyne, Andrea Catania, and Frances Petersen

Recognizing the vital impact of diverse leadership in driving impactful change within nonprofits and NGOs, these scholarships seek applicants who demonstrate leadership skills, a commitment to influencing systems and communities, civic engagement, and a passion for social justice and positive change. Four winning recipients will be awarded $5,000 each.

"The LDEI Scholarship Award recognized my impactful career and achievements across Latin America,” said Cecilia Picoaga, 2023 scholarship recipient. “Pursuing further education has reignited my academic purpose and passion, providing me with a world-class learning experience that will empower me to continue driving positive change in communities for years to come."

The scholarships are presented in collaboration with The Wine Group, one of the world's largest and most respected wine producers. Since its beginning over 40 years ago, The Wine Group has prioritized the stewardship of the environment, people, and communities. The collaboration between The Wine Group and Les Dames presents a meaningful and significant opportunity for students.

“For the third straight year, we’re delighted to once again collaborate with LDEI to offer the ‘Scholarships for Impactful Change’ program,” said Helen Kurtz, Chief Marketing Officer, The Wine Group. “It’s an honor for us to support the educational journeys of women in the industry who are pursuing their aspirations, while simultaneously helping to create a healthier future for communities worldwide.”

The scholarship regulations are as follows:

• The scholarship money will go directly to the school or institution in which the recipients are enrolled and can be used only for tuition (and not living expenses).
• The money must be used in the year that it is awarded. Any change in the enrollment status during the scholarship year is to be communicated to Les Dames by the recipient within seven (7) days of the change. Applicant monies are to be refunded by the institution in the event of withdrawal or a change in enrollment status.
• Should the awardee’s debt with the institution be paid in full by the time funds reach the institution, all funds shall be returned to Les Dames.
• Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent thereof.
• The application process opens on April 3, 2025. Applications will be accepted until May 16, 2025. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Recipients will be selected based on merit, need, and community service.
• All applicants will be notified of their award status in June 2025.
• Scholarship recipients will be required to be a part of a virtual webinar with Les Dames and The Wine Group, highlighting their goals, activities, and future plans.

CLICK FOR APPLICATION