BC Food News

In the podcast episode of BC Food News, Jennifer English discusses the rapidly growing global non-alcoholic spirits market, which is predicted to hit $706.7 million in 2033, due to increasing health-conscious trends and innovative premium alcohol-free offerings. Whiskey currently leads as the top product in the market, while tequila is said to be the fastest growing. Europe is the leading region for revenue, whilst Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing. Key players in the industry like Pernod Ricard, Diageo, among others are mentioned, along with investments and partnerships that reflect ongoing interest in the market. The podcast concludes with prophecy that the combination...

In the recent episode of BC Food News, Jennifer English highlights the launch of KitchenAid's new Fully Automatic Espresso Machines with Iced Coffee. These innovative machines are equipped with intuitive controls, quiet operation, and various features for both espresso beginners and coffee enthusiasts. The new line offers three different models, with up to 24 pre-set recipe options, customizable to personal preference. The QuietGrind System differentiates these machines as they operate silently, making mornings peaceful. Their compact design does not compromise on the performance or the variety of coffee types they can produce. The machines are built to last, coming with a 2...

In this episode of BC Food News, Jennifer English reveals exciting news from Champagne Taittinger, a family-owned Champagne house, about their unveiling of a limited-edition Brut Réserve bottle. The bottle is created in celebration of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, reflecting the host nations with a sleek black finish adorned by holographic accents in the colors red, green, and blue. The Chairman of Champagne Taittinger, Vitalie Taittinger, expresses pride in representing France globally. With a partnership continuing till 2024, Taittinger remains the only French company to collaborate with FIFA. The collectible bottles will be available in limited quantities from April 15, 2026. T...

In the episode of BC Food News, Jennifer English discusses an initiative from IKEA Canada intended to reduce food waste. This stems from the problem of cluttered refrigerators, which contribute significantly to food wastage. To counter this, IKEA Canada has designed affordable and sustainable food-storage solutions, such as transparent, stackable containers. The company also holds a Fridge Refresh Contest where participants stand a chance to win a $500 IKEA gift card to reinvent their food-storage solutions. Finally, English notes IKEA's commitment to sustainability which extends beyond food storage to community and sustainability initiatives. The underlying emphasis is on simple changes and...

The BC Food News podcast, hosted by Jennifer English, focused on the exciting collaboration between a worldwide pasta giant, Barilla, and Formula 1. Special focus was given to their innovative product "Barilla Racing Wheels," a special-edition pasta shape designed to bring the thrills of race day to the dinner table. This unique product is an effort by Barilla to encourage the traditional Italian Sunday ritual of dining while enjoying a Formula 1 race. Fans visiting the Formula 1 Crypto com Miami Grand Prix 2026 will get a chance to experience a variety of Barilla dishes. The Racing Wheels pasta, born from Barilla's belief in...

In this episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English explores Minute Maid Spiked's first-ever celebrity campaign featuring multi-talented artist, Action Bronson. The campaign aims to celebrate consumer diversity, in alignment with Action's own versatile interests ranging from cooking to rapping. The podcast discusses the burgeoning Alcohol Ready-to-Drink sector and Minute Maid Spiked's explosive growth in this market. Leveraging Action Bronson's multi-dimensional persona, the brand hopes to tap into consumers' diverse interests. Offering convenience with ready-to-drink wine and vodka-based cocktails, the brand exemplifies its 'no muss, no fuss, no duh' attitude. The podcast concludes by highlighting Minute Maid Spiked's commitment...

The BC Food News podcast, hosted by Jennifer English, covered Tia Rosa's innovative dining concept - Aroma by Tia Rosa, taking place at Lucky Taco in Kitsilano, Vancouver. The event, held on April 20th and 21st, 2026, innovates by having no printed menus, with guests selecting their food via the smell from handcrafted scent boxes. Complimentary offerings include a taco, chips, guacamole, and a drink, creating a sensory dining experience. Tia Rosa, known for delivering quality Mexican food since 1971, and Lucky Taco, a favorite spot with its reputed margaritas, are behind the exciting venture. The Podcast also explains how to RSVP...

In the recent episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English shares exciting details about the upcoming Eat Well Live Well Expo scheduled for April 18 and 19 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. This health and wellness event will feature over 200 curated exhibitors offering a variety of healthier food, beverages, and supplements options. In addition to the exhibitors, the Expo will also have The Wellness Stage with expert talks on nutrition and holistic living, The Hydration Hub showcasing innovative beverages, and The Demo Kitchen for live cooking demonstrations. Produced by National Event Management, the Expo, designed to cater to health-conscious consumers...

The BC Food News podcast with host, Jennifer English, focuses on the upcoming T.O. Food & Drink Fest in Toronto, taking place from April 17th to 19th in 2026. The festival is anticipated to feature over 175 exhibitors from top restaurants, brands, and bars in Toronto. The podcast highlights the Chef's Kitchen Stage, with live cooking by celebrity chefs; mixology classes led by expert bartenders; and an international fare from the Flavour Street, presented by Food Truck Canada. The festival will also transform into 'Out of This World' themed nocturnal events on Friday and Saturday, inspired by the Artemis II mission. Tickets...

In the latest episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English discusses the launching of Phase One of the Tucson GastroPark & International Culinary Welcome Center. The project, part of the Agave Heritage Festival 2026, aims to transform Tucson’s Historic Casita Block into a global culinary hub where local food entrepreneurs can scale their products. Guests attending the VIP launch were treated with fine tastings from renowned Tucson chefs. The center, offering both physical and digital infrastructure, intends to reshape the region's culinary scene by providing local food entrepreneurs an avenue to compete globally while retaining their unique Tucson flair. This in...

In the latest episode of the BC Food News podcast, host Jennifer English discussed significant updates from the Canadian agriculture sector, particularly the changes to the Advance Payments Program for 2026. This includes an increase in the interest-free limit for non-canola advances from $100,000 to $250,000, intended to give farmers greater financial relief. The program lets farmers receive up to one million dollars in cash advances based on their expected agricultural product value, assisting farmers to navigate unstable economic periods more efficiently. The Canadian Government also heightened the interest-free part of the program to $500,000 for canola advances in response to tariffs on the...

The latest episode of BC Food News, hosted by Jennifer English, highlighted an interesting initiative by Hellmann's, involving the recreation of the historical 18th-century sandwich. The launch of this historical sandwich, layered with roast beef, plum pudding, and Hellmann's Mayonnaise, will take place in the town of Sandwich, Kent, where the first 150 visitors will get a taste of it for free. Hellmann's has teamed up with historians David Olusoga and Annie Gray, along with Chef Ben Lippett, for its recreation. Councillor of Sandwich, Emmet Csuka, noted the event as a chance to support local businesses and attract tourists, while Claire...

In this episode of BC Food News, Jennifer English explores the Global Mobile Restaurant as a Service Market, drawing information from a market research report by MarkNtel Advisors. Expected to grow by roughly 6.76% from 2026 to 2032, this burgeoning market, valued at around USD 4.56 billion in 2025, is powered by low-cost, flexible food service models and event-based dining. The industry does face challenges, including regulatory complexities and operational constraints. Still, North America leads the charge, contributing to around 45% of the total market share. The episode also highlights the crucial role of digital platforms in visibility and accessibility, and cites successful developmental initiatives like...

In this episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English discusses the 2026 Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies. The prestigious awards, which were given to eight outstanding business students, offer not only a financial support of $50,000 per awardee but also mentoring from seasoned business professionals. The episode showcased the diverse backgrounds and unique academic journeys of each student, highlighting the rigorous process of selection for these awards based on academic achievements, leadership qualities, entrepreneurial spirit, and contributions to the community. The awards not only acknowledge the top eight awardees, but also recognize the remaining 26 finalists, each with...

The podcast episode of BC Food News with host, Jennifer English, centers around the advantages of price-informed shared decision-making tools by FAIR Health in healthcare and their impact on clinical settings, especially for older patients. The three-year initiative was successful in educating older adults at various medical centers about their treatment options and related costs. The podcast reveals how the tools provided clarity and led to a higher sense of confidence among patients in communicating with their healthcare providers. Additionally, clinicians used different paths to incorporate the tools and saw the potential in peer-to-peer learning. The initiative's marketing strategy also...

The latest episode of BC Food News, hosted by Jennifer English, highlights the innovative partnership between Italian spirits company Branca International and beverage technology company ALTR. This collaboration aims to reimagine the future of the beverage industry through the application of molecular ethanol reduction technology, offering more control over alcohol content without changing the product's taste, structure, or aromatic profile. Branca International's President Niccolò Branca believes in a future that provides wider options for consumers and producers beyond simply alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. ALTR's technology aligns with this. The partnership also aligns with Branca's philosophy of combining tradition and modern i...

In this episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English discusses the burgeoning organic fruit powder market, projected to surpass 25 billion dollars by 2035. Rising consumer demand for clean-label, functional nutrition is driving this trend, with organic fruit powders offering extended shelf life, nutrient retention, and formulation flexibility. These versatile powders are increasingly incorporated into beverages, infant and sports nutrition, dairy alternatives, and even cosmetics. The rise of superfruits and exotic variants as well as blended fruit powders is also noted. Geographically, the U.S, Germany, and China are leading players, while India's expanding food processing industry marks it as an...

In the latest episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English discusses an innovative partnership between professional baseball player Ben Rice and the popular rice brand, Ben's Original. The collaboration aims to fight childhood hunger through an initiative with No Kid Hungry. Each big play by Rice this season will result in a donation to No Kid Hungry, with the goal of providing up to 22,000 meals for children in need. The partnership also serves as a platform to promote Ben's Original products that offer healthy, flavorful, and convenient meal options. VP of Growth and Digital Demand at Mars Food & Nutrition...

In this episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English dives into the 50th anniversary celebrations of Capriotti's Sandwich Shop that is kicking off on National Cheesesteak Day with a ‘Simply the Best Since 1976’ campaign. Capriotti's is known for its award-winning cheesesteak, which now comes with 25% more meat. In honor of its Golden Jubilee, Rewards Members are offered a 'Buy Any Cheesesteak, Get One 50% Off' deal. The restaurant has a variety of cheesesteak options including Classic, American Wagyu, Chicken, and an Impossible™ plant-based version. Apart from food deals, the restaurant rewards its members with points and exclusive perks throughout the year...

In the latest episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English discusses three essential VEVOR products that are perfect for spring hosting — a popcorn machine, a meat slicer, and an ice maker. VEVOR's Popcorn Machine has a strong 850-watt motor that can produce up to 48 cups of popcorn per batch, bringing a fun, cinema-like atmosphere to any gathering. The VEVOR 240W Meat Slicer has an adjustable thickness setting and a 10-inch 45carbon steel blade, ideal for preparing consistent slices for charcuterie boards and deli plates. Lastly, the VEVOR Ice Maker can create 45 ice cubes per cycle, ensuring cold drinks for al...

In the recent episode of BC Food News, Jennifer English discusses the release of the first-ever Blueprint by the Food Is Medicine Coalition, aimed at integrating medically tailored meals into the U.S. healthcare system. Developed in collaboration with the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation of Harvard Law School, the Blueprint provides a comprehensive roadmap for establishing standards for such food-based interventions, addressing legal, regulatory and operational issues and aligning with healthcare reimbursement pathways. The goal is to transition from pilot programs to long-term, sustainable solutions that can improve health outcomes and fight food insecurity, while reducing healthcare...

In the podcast episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English discusses the significant economic and health benefits of the 'Food is Medicine' programs, as highlighted in a report by The Rockefeller Foundation. Starting with an exploration of how these initiatives can support state economies, create jobs, and uplift small and mid-sized farms, the podcast explores how expanding these programs could lead to increased economic activity worth over $45 billion and job creation for around 316,000 people. The report underlines the need for intentional policy choices and local sourcing preferences to ensure the healthcare dollars benefit local economies rather than large national...

In the recent episode of BC Food News, Jennifer English brings us exciting news about a significant investment made by the Government of Canada into Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP). The $27 million boost aims to provide practical work experience and valuable skills to Canadian youth aged 15 to 30, eying particularly on youth facing employment barriers. The funding will go towards covering the wages and benefits for young employees hired by employers in the agriculture and agri-food sectors. The latest application process has been streamlined to prioritize youth facing employment barriers. This program is part of a...

In this episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English discusses the results of the 2026 World Championship Cheese Contest. The top prize was won by Beemster Royaal Grand Cru, a cheese made in Westbeemster, Netherlands, scoring 98.68 out of 100, among 3,375 entries. The first and second runners-up were Appenzeller Purple Label from Appenzell, Switzerland, and Alter Fritz from Jonschwil, Switzerland respectively. The event saw representation from 25 countries and 34 U.S. states and territories, with U.S. cheesemakers earning the most gold medals overall. Wisconsin led in first-place awards, followed by New York and Vermont. The contest, hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers...

In the BC Food News podcast, host Jennifer English discussed a pioneering collaboration between Organic Valley, Stonyfield Organic, UNFI, and Whole Foods Market. These companies have joined forces in a program called the Carbon Insetting Program, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the U.S. organic dairy supply chain. This initiative focuses on making the food's journey from farm to table more eco-friendly and sustainable while supporting the organic dairy farms that actually produce the food. The collaboration involves implementing sustainable practices on farms, like utilizing solar power and specialized feed innovations to reduce methane emissions from cows, leading...

The BC Food News podcast, hosted by Jennifer English, has covered the topic of the 2026 Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards in its latest episode. The wine event, taking place in Macao, will invite 23 of the world's leading experts to judge China's finest wines from almost 180 wineries and over 800 wines. The panel, featuring 11 Masters of Wine and 2 Master Sommeliers, will offer awards in 39 categories including a new award category, the Fontana Sommelier's Choice. The event also includes four masterclasses on various wine-producing regions and exquisite wine dinners, led by Wynn's award-winning chefs. The podcast highlights that the Chinese wine industry has...

The recent episode of BC Food News, hosted by Jennifer English, discussed the latest initiatives of the Breakfast Club of Canada in partnership with Dietitians of Canada for Nutrition Month. The Breakfast Club aims to raise awareness about the importance of school food programs and their positive impacts on students' eating habits. The episode also emphasized the challenges of food insecurity facing many Canadian families and the role school breakfast programs can play in mitigating this issue by providing access to nutritious food. The club’s initiative also fosters curiosity about food amongst children promoting healthy long-term eating habits. Their co...

In the latest episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English discusses McDonald's Canada's exciting collaboration with the National Hockey League and NHLPA to launch the NHL Star Sticks Meal. The promotional meal not only includes a choice of food options including the Hockey Hero Burger, Chicken McNuggets, Big Mac, McVeggie or Spicy McVeggie, fries and a drink, but also features collectable mini hockey sticks showcasing seven prominent NHL players. Startling from March 3, this meal will be available for a limited time only in all MacDonald's outlets. The much-loved Hockey Hero Burger is making a comeback as part of this...

In this inspiring episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English discusses an innovative project at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary known as Voycebx. Designed to preserve the unique voices of patients facing surgeries, which could potentially affect their vocal abilities, the AI interface of Voycebx captures emotional prosodies rather than mere word pronunciations. Its AI models are capable of decoding emotions into text-to-speech which ensures that familiar tone, and cadence is adjoined at the time of communicating post-surgery. It prioritizes the safety of the user's voice by employing high-grade security and encryption. As a part of patient care, the...

In this inspiring episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English discusses an innovative project at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary known as Voycebx. Designed to preserve the unique voices of patients facing surgeries, which could potentially affect their vocal abilities, the AI interface of Voycebx captures emotional prosodies rather than mere word pronunciations. Its AI models are capable of decoding emotions into text-to-speech which ensures that familiar tone, and cadence is adjoined at the time of communicating post-surgery. It prioritizes the safety of the user's voice by employing high-grade security and encryption. As a part of patient care, the...

In the latest episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English shared the exciting news of Michelin-recognized Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung opening its first Arizona location in Scottsdale Fashion Square. The grand opening is slated for April 20, following a soft opening on March 12. Renowned for its exquisite cuisine, Din Tai Fung will also create over 300 new hospitality jobs in Scottsdale in line with its 'people-first' culture. The restaurant's ambiance will reflect warm, refined interiors that are a combiantion of modern and Taiwanese traditions. Favorite food items like the soup dumplings will be on the menu along with newly introduced...

In the latest episode of BC Food News, Jennifer English introduces a new partnership between Auguste Escoffier Global Solutions and Les Dames d'Escoffier International. The collaboration aims to bring innovative training tools to culinary and hospitality professionals worldwide, targeting key workforce issues such as recruitment, upskilling and retention. The confidence in this partnership's impact on the industry was echoed by Nicole Bertelli of AEGS, Silvia Mariani, and Patrizia Vigolo from the LDEI Italy Chapter who see it as a major step in empowering women in their fields and fostering a more skilled and robust workforce. The partnership comes at a...

The latest episode of BC Food News, hosted by Jennifer English, provides updated on Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's recent changes to the AgriStability program to provide additional support for livestock producers. With rising feed costs, the federal, provincial, and territorial governments improved the program to factor in pasture-related feed costs beginning 2026. This adjustment ensures fairer support for farmers, particularly cow-calf, sheep, and goat farmers, who rely on rented pastureland for grazing. AgriStability is designed to safeguard producers against income drops due to production losses, cost increases, or poor market conditions. Links relevant to the episode, including social media platforms for...

In the recent episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English unveils the latest culinary enhancements by Seabourn, the ultra-luxury ocean and expedition travel leader. She discusses Seabourn Square's revamped menu and design changes to promote it as an upscale all-day café. The refreshed menu includes warm items like breakfast sandwiches, savory quiche, Roman-style pizza, and toasted sandwiches apart from their existing offerings. The experience is propelled by specialty coffees and handmade ice cream. Moreover, Seabourn's daytime restaurant, The Colonnade gets a makeover with bright interiors and chef interaction, live cooking stations, and a menu featuring regionally influenced dishes. Across a...

The BC Food News podcast recently reported on Uber Eats' national partnership with T&T Supermarket for grocery delivery service across Canada. T&T, the largest Asian supermarket chain in Canada, will present customers with an extensive range of products including fresh produce, seafood, ready-to-eat meals, Asian snacks, and even beauty products from Korea and Japan. Currently, the service is accessible in Toronto and T&T locations across Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, with plans to expand to Quebec. The partnership aims to bring T&T's wide selection of high-quality products straight to customers' doorsteps, enhancing Uber Eats' existing grocery...

In this episode of BC Food News, the host Jennifer English takes listeners through the recent developments from the renowned Culinary Careers Program (C-CAP). They announced their 2026 National Benefit, happening on April 13, 2026, at New York City's Chelsea Piers. Co-hosted by famous chef Marcus Samuelsson, the event will honor James Beard award-winning chef Chintan Pandya, from Unapologetic Foods, for his commitment to mentorship. Over 30 well-known restaurants are set to participate in the event, which supports C-CAP's culinary education and job-trainings serving annually over 25,000 students nationwide. The podcast finishes with information on how to purchase tickets or sponsorships for the benefit, encouraging...

In the latest episode of BC Food News, Jennifer English discusses Dairy Queen Canada's reintroduction of their popular Crunchin' Cookie Dipped Cone, now with a new mint flavour twist. This seasonal offering, available at Canadian DQ outlets, combines vanilla soft serve ice cream with a minty cone coating and chocolate cookie pieces. The Mint Oreo Blizzard has also made a return as the Blizzard of the Month. In addition to these product updates, Jennifer highlights the DQ Rewards Program for mobile deals and exclusive rewards. International Dairy Queen, Inc., the parent company of Dairy Queen Canada, operates over 7,800 restaurants globally...

The podcast episode from BC Food News, hosted by Jennifer English, announces an upcoming collaboration between world-renowned Chef Grant Achatz of the iconic Chicago restaurant Alinea and the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, as part of Alinea's 20th-anniversary tour. This exclusive culinary residency, running from April 16 to May 31, will offer an immersive gastronomic experience showcasing innovative dishes influenced by Las Vegas' culinary traditions and local ingredients. The residency is seen as a tribute to the restaurant and hospitality industry and will honor Alinea's journey and belief in the transformational power of food. Tickets and reservations can be secured from...

In the recent episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English announces the Reynolds Kitchens® Parchment Cooking Bags as the 2026 Product of the Year in the Kitchen Essentials category. The award, chosen by 40,000 American consumers, exemplifies the product's success in simplifying the cooking process. Bryan Rakowski, the Vice President of Marketing at Reynolds Consumer Products, attributes the win to the parchment bags' contribution towards easy meal prep, cooking, and cleaning. Jennifer further explains the context of the Product of the Year award, its global recognition, and the selection process determined by Kantar. She also tells listeners where to purchase the p...

In the recent episode of BC Food News, hosted by Jennifer English, the central discussion revolved around the 2026 Independent Restaurant Industry Report by the James Beard Foundation. The report, which was compiled in collaboration with Deloitte, provides insightful details about the struggles and survival strategies of independent restaurants. Despite facing numerous challenges, from volatile ingredient prices to changing consumer expectations and the rapid growth of technology, the restaurant industry shows resilience through innovative solutions. The report identifies four key trends, including margin protection during cost fluctuations, creating supportive workforces beyond wage increments, making smart investments in technology, and managing customer...