“Last year’s inaugural West Coast Coffee Connect exceeded our expectations — the energy in the room and the level of engagement showed just how important it is to create meaningful opportunities for connection in Western Canada," said Robert Carter, President, Coffee Association of Canada. "We’re excited to build on that momentum on May 27 and continue strengthening relationships across the coffee community.”

May 27: CAC West Coast Coffee Connect

Vancouver, BC, February 26, 2026 – ABURI Restaurants Canada is excited to announce the official opening of its third premium Japanese grocery concept, ABURI Market Downtown, on March 3, 2026.

Located at #101-609 Granville Street, the new 3,200-square-foot space builds on the success of ABURI Market’s Yaletown and West Vancouver locations, offering a curated selection of grab-and-go sushi bentos, prepared foods, Japanese specialty snacks, signature platters, exclusive imported goods from Japan, and award-winning Iwate A5 Wagyu.

“Our new Downtown ABURI Market location is especially designed for city life, where we emphasize convenience, premium food quality, and of course, accessibility with its proximity to major transit routes,” explains Seigo Nakamura, founder and CEO of Aburi Restaurants Canada. “We hope our guests will find something to enjoy during their visit, whether it be a quick bento box for lunch, picking-up our exclusive Iwate A5 Wagyu for dinner, or simply taking a few moments to browse the shelves and discover something new.”

Aburi Market Downtown will be led by Yoshie Ito, general manager, and Jun Okamura, head chef.

New to this location is Pan と Pan, a fresh new bakery concept that reimagines the beloved experience of Japanese convenience store bread into a premium, pre-packaged offering. To start, Aburi Market Downtown will offer Melon Pan (Japanese sweet bread with a cookie crust), with more to come. The recipes were created by WA-BAGEL’s head baker Yukiko Iikura.

“Our Pan と Pan – Bakery by Aburi line is designed for a modern lifestyle, where our bread offerings aim to offer the warmth of traditional Japanese baking with a stylish, kawaii twist,” adds Nakamura.

ABURI Market Downtown’s space is designed to convey a welcoming setting with warm, light wood tones and soft ambient lighting. A defining feature is its continuation of ABURI’s visual identity, with signature wall prints by long-time Japanese artist collaborator Hideki Kimura. This location will also have Aburi Market's largest kitchen, which will allow the team to produce more ready-to-eat items.

To celebrate its opening, the first 100 guests will receive a $10 voucher and tote bag on March 3, 2026. At launch, ABURI Market Downtown will be open Monday to Friday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- (AEGS), a leading provider of culinary and hospitality workforce-development tools, today announced a new initiative launched in alignment with (LDEI), initiated through the organization's Italy Chapter. The initiative offers LDEI's global membership access to AEGS's flexible, online training platform designed to support skill development and staff retention across the food, beverage and hospitality industries.

Through this collaboration, AEGS is offering access to its ESource online training library — including micro-courses, technique videos and professional-development modules — to all members of LDEI. The online, mobile-friendly platform helps organizations upskill teams, foster continuous learning and strengthen workforce engagement through customizable, scalable tools accessible anytime, anywhere.

By providing LDEI members with access to AEGS's platform, the collaboration helps address three critical workforce issues: recruitment, upskilling and retention. Flexible, on-demand training helps staff apply new knowledge quickly, feel supported in their career path and remain engaged — reducing turnover and strengthening long-term performance. This partnership supports the larger talent ecosystem of – which includes AEGS, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts and helping advance industry recruiting goals by strengthening the link between education and career opportunity.

"Les Dames d'Escoffier International is home to some of the most accomplished and influential women in food and hospitality," said Nicole Bertelli, director of partner services at AEGS. "Both organizations share a commitment to education, leadership, and advancing the culinary and hospitality professions," added Bertelli. "By extending access to training tools, mentorship resources and job placement opportunities through Gecko Hospitality, we are helping empower leaders to elevate teams, develop high-performing, growth-focused workplaces, and the next generation of hospitality professionals."

The initiative comes at a time when workforce development and employee retention remain top priorities across the hospitality sector. Industry data show that training and upskilling opportunities play a significant role in keeping employees engaged and reducing turnover — a challenge that continues to affect restaurants, hotels, and other service-driven organizations worldwide.

Research underscores the value of professional development in today's hospitality environment. According to data shared by AEGS:

• More than three-quarters (77%) of organizations experienced difficulty recruiting full-time regular positions in 2024.
• Roughly 27 % of food and beverage employees are enrolled in school while working, compared with just 10 % in the overall U.S. workforce—highlighting the need for flexible, career-friendly tools
• In the hospitality industry, staff separations were at 5.9 % in January 2024 compared to a across all industries, underscoring the retention challenge. 

Founded in 1976, Les Dames d'Escoffier International is a philanthropic organization of women leaders in the food, beverage and hospitality industries. Its mission is "to inspire, advance and support women in food, beverage and hospitality to achieve excellence in leadership and philanthropy." With more than 2,800 members across over 40 chapters in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the U.K. and Italy, the organization is globally recognized for its commitment to mentorship, scholarship and the advancement of women professionals.

"We know that many of our members not only lead businesses, restaurants and hospitality venues – they are also making hiring decisions," said Silvia Mariani, past president and a founder and board member of LDEI Italy Chapter. "This partnership with AEGS aligns perfectly with our mission of empowering women in the culinary and hospitality professions and equipping our members to lead in a rapidly evolving industry."

Together, the organizations aim to strengthen the talent pipeline by connecting training, leadership and career opportunities.

"This collaboration reflects the spirit of innovation and shared purpose that defines our chapter and Les Dames globally," said Patrizia Vigolo, current president of the LDEI Italy Chapter. "We are proud to help launch this partnership and look forward to the positive impact it will have on professional growth, leadership development and the future of our industry."

Why the collaboration matters:

• Enables LDEI members to access a curated library of on-demand training modules tailored for culinary and hospitality professionals.
• Strengthens a broader talent ecosystem by connecting education, training and recruitment through AEGS and Gecko Hospitality
• Supports workforce development, including upskilling, staff retention and talent cultivation during a time of industry disruption.
• Leverages AEGS's expertise in hospitality-specific training and LDEI's broad network of women leaders, mentors and professionals.

Addresses the learning and development gap within the food service sector, where flexible online training has increasingly become a differentiator in retaining talent.

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Feb. 25, 2026 /CNW/ - Puratos Canada officially opened its first Canadian Bakery School program at Father Michael Goetz Catholic Secondary School today, reinforcing its commitment to education in Mississauga, workforce development, and long-term industry sustainability in professional baking and pastry arts.

The program is being developed in partnership with the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB). Its location near Puratos' Mississauga facility enables students to engage directly with industry professionals through guest speakers, program support, and mentorship. This proximity transforms learning from classroom-based instruction into a launchpad for careers, where students build skills, confidence, and industry connections side-by-side with professionals.

"We are proud to open the first Puratos Bakery school in Canada at Father Michael Goetz Catholic Secondary School, just minutes from our Canadian headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario," said Michael Simone, President- Puratos Canada. There is a clear shortage of skilled labour in the Canadian baking industry. The positive impact these students can have on the industry and the role we can help play in shaping their careers is tremendous.

Puratos operates Bakery Schools worldwide, with programs launched in economically underserved regions including South Africa, India, and Vietnam. The first Bakery School opened in 2014, and Puratos now operates 13 schools in 12 countries, with 3 more coming soon. The Mississauga school represents the company's first Canadian location, reinforcing Puratos' commitment to strengthening the baking industry and expanding access to skilled employment.

The program will run across four semesters, starting in Grade 11 and running through to Grade 12, with coursework counting toward high school credits. The curriculum provides hands-on training in bakery, patisserie, chocolate, and complementary culinary fundamentals. The inaugural cohort includes approximately 25 students in 2026, with additional students joining the program each year.

"We are pleased to be able to partner with Puratos in this unique program, which provides an opportunity unlike any other for DPCDSB students interested in exploring or pursuing a career in the baking industry, specifically, or in the foodservice industry in general," said Dr. Marianne Mazzorato, Director of Education at DPCDSB.

The program is designed to address ongoing skilled labour shortages in the baking and food manufacturing sectors, youth employment gaps in underserved communities, and the need for inclusive education pathways for neurodivergent students, who are expected to comprise approximately 50% of participants.

Through this program, students gain practical skills and work-ready experience, while the baking industry benefits from a trained, job-ready talent pipeline. The school also supports Puratos' global ambition to operate 20 Bakery Schools by 2030, welcoming approximately 1,000 students annually worldwide.

Puratos has already obtained verbal commitments from multiple key customers, enthusiastically expressing their support for the program and expressing a desire to leverage the bakery school to help fill their labour pipeline in the future.