BC Food News

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...

In the recent episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English explored the dynamic changes meal subscription services, particularly focusing on Blue Apron, are making to meet the evolving needs of today's consumers. It was discussed how shifting household routines and demanding schedules are driving the need for more flexible and varied meal solutions. As a response, companies such as Blue Apron have adjusted their business models, offering multiple meal formats and flexible ordering options without mandatory weekly commitments. Despite the expansion of its services, Blue Apron has been commended for maintaining high-quality ingredients, ethical sourcing practices, and freshness. Adding...

In this episode of BC Food News, Jennifer English discusses the impact of dietary antioxidants on female reproductive health, focusing on a new study by California Greens that reveals a link between a diet rich in antioxidants and lower infertility rates among women. Drawing attention to the growing prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which affects up to 10% of women of childbearing age, English spotlight the benefits of California Greens' Healthy Fertility, a supplement packed with trusted ingredients like L-Carnitine and Acetyl-L-Carnitine, L-Arginine, Folic Acid, and an array of readily absorbable antioxidants. These compounds work in synergy to improve hormonal...

On the episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English discusses Topo Chico Hard's new margarita-flavored offerings in honor of National Margarita Day. Topo Chico Hard introduced two new products - the Hard Margarita Flavored Alcohol Beverage in 6-pack glass bottles and the Margarita MAX FAB Strawberry Hibiscus in a single-serve can. They aim to offer refreshing, ready-to-enjoy beverages that mix quality and flavor. The Senior Director of Marketing of Flavor & RTDs, Liz Cramton, asserted that the expansion of Topo Chico Hard's offerings remained faithful to their iconic style. This is in tandem with the mission of Topo Chico's parent...

The latest episode of BC Food News, hosted by Jennifer English, showcases a community-driven event on COBS Bread known as 'Hot Cross Buns Day', set to take place on February 21st. The event invites musicians to play the classic 'Hot Cross Buns' tune at their bakeries, rewarding each participant with a free Hot Cross Bun. An initiative titled 'Play to Pay' witnessed massive community participation last year, including a vast array of musicians, affirming President Aaron Gillespie's emphasis on encouraging community interaction. Additionally, COBS Bread is simultaneously running a 'Doughnation Day' from February 7th to March 7th, dedicated to raising...

On the latest episode of BC Food News hosted by Jennifer English, listeners got a closer look into the celebration of Drake's Cakes who are marking their 130th anniversary, as well as the buildup to the 100th birthday of the beloved Devil Dogs. The brand has released a new limited-time flavor called Mochaccino Devil Dogs, blending rich devil's food cake with a smooth, creamy mochaccino-flavored creme. This flavor is the first of their 'Let the Dogs Out!' series, which aims to launch a fresh Devil Dogs flavor per quarter. Despite the brand's nostalgia, they are embracing innovation, as evident...

This episode of BC Food News covers the announcement of a major partnership between Wynn Resorts and the award-winning Netflix series, Chef's Table. Set to launch this fall, this groundbreaking collaboration will transform the culinary scene with a series of exclusive food and beverage events. Kicking off the partnership is Wynn Revelry by Chef's Table, an event that brings together the brightest stars in the culinary world for innovative dining experiences. Highlights of the event include an Icons dinner, a chef and celebrity cookoff, a golf tournament, and an extraordinary nightlife experience. Wynn Resorts and Chef's Table believe that this...

In this episode of BC Food News, Jennifer English announces McDonald's unique Valentine's Day offering, a McNugget Caviar kit. Created in collaboration with Paramount Caviar, the kit includes crispy Chicken McNuggets paired with premium Baerii Sturgeon caviar. Each kit contains a 1-ounce tin of McNugget Caviar, a $25 Arch Card, crème fraîche, and a Mother of Pearl caviar spoon - everything needed to upgrade a quaint Valentine’s Day celebration. The chic kits will be exclusively available online for one day only, February 10th, free of charge while stocks last. McDonald's exclusive McNugget Caviar kits aim to offer an indu...

In this episode of BC Food News, Jennifer English discusses the Academy of the Sacred Heart's new 'Nourishing Our Future' Capital Campaign — a $1.8 million initiative to overhaul the school's dining experience. The project involves the introduction of a new commercial kitchen, updated dining spaces, and a daily lunch program. A significant portion of the initiative is funded by a $1 million donation from Kris and Brittany Doman, parents of four children at Sacred Heart. The new dining space will henceforth be named the 'Doman Dining Hall' in honor of their contribution. Starting in fall 2026, the school's new commercial kitchen will be ma...

In the most recent episode of BC Food News, Jennifer English discusses the significant updates announced by the Canadian Government to improve affordability for Canadians, especially with regards to groceries and other essentials. This includes the introduction of the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and an increase in its amount by 25% for the next five years. Additional measures include a $500 million allocation from the Strategic Response Fund for businesses dealing with supply chain disruptions, a $150 million Food Security Fund, and expensing for greenhouse structures to enhance food production. The government is also providing $20 million to the Local Food Infrastructure Fund...

The BC Food News podcast, hosted by Jennifer English, provides insight into the partnership between happy products (co-founded by Craig Dubitsky and Robert Downey Jr.) and the well-loved convenience store chain, Sheetz. In this episode, they discuss happy's popular Ready-to-Drink Chocolatey Chip, Vanilla, and Caramel Lattes, and classic and Tahitian Vanilla Cold Brews now available across 800 Sheetz locations in states like Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Michigan. This significant development marks happy's nationwide growth, echoed by Sheetz hitting its 800th location and setting a goal for 1,000 by 2028. Furthermore, the podcast touched on happy's work beyond business – it...

In the recent episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English discusses the newly announced Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, a government initiative designed to tackle food insecurity by making life more affordable for millions of Canadians. The benefit, announced by Minister Rebecca Chartrand, aims to provide support to over 12 million low- and modest-income Canadians, starting in the spring of 2026. The plan includes a one-time payment equivalent to a 50% increase in the annual 2025-26 GST Credit and a 25% rise in the benefit's value for the next five years. Other mentioned initiatives include Nutrition North Canada, Harvesters Support Grant, the Community...

The episode of BC Food News, hosted by Jennifer English, offers updates on Empire Company Limited and its subsidiary, Sobeys Inc. The companies are transitioning their e-commerce strategies by closing their Alberta facilities due to slower growth and smaller market size. However, their customer needs in Western Canada will continue to be met through third-party partnerships. Furthermore, the companies maintain steady growth in Ontario and Quebec under the Voilà banner with help from Ocado. Empire is also set to partner with DoorDash to provide more grocery delivery options. These e-commerce changes are expected to improve earnings with an estimated $95 million i...

In the latest episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English discusses the recent announcement from Atlas Ocean Voyages about the lineup of internationally celebrated chefs and culinary experts for their 2026 European season. The lineup includes culinary stars like Ippy Aiona, Luciana Berry, and Massimo Capra who will be leading culinary sessions on the ships. The guests aboard the World Traveller, World Navigator, and World Voyager will get the opportunity to participate in cooking demonstrations and food-focused discoveries with these renowned chefs. The podcast also highlights the booking offers available for these cruises and gives a brief introduction on Atlas...

The episode of BC Food News discusses new measures announced by the Canadian government to make groceries and essentials more affordable. Host, Jennifer English, breaks down the initiatives, including the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, the Strategic Response Fund, and the Food Security Fund, aimed at offering immediate support to Canadians and building a stronger economy. She also covers tax cuts for middle-class citizens, GST elimination for first-time homebuyers, and the introduction of Automatic Federal Benefits for low-income Canadians. These initiatives contribute to the government's broader goals of ensuring career opportunities, lowering costs, and strengthening the country’s agricultural sector. Th...

The episode of BC Food News discusses new measures announced by the Canadian government to make groceries and essentials more affordable. Host, Jennifer English, breaks down the initiatives, including the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, the Strategic Response Fund, and the Food Security Fund, aimed at offering immediate support to Canadians and building a stronger economy. She also covers tax cuts for middle-class citizens, GST elimination for first-time homebuyers, and the introduction of Automatic Federal Benefits for low-income Canadians. These initiatives contribute to the government's broader goals of ensuring career opportunities, lowering costs, and strengthening the country’s agricultural sector. Th...

In the latest episode of BC Food News, hosted by Jennifer English, listeners immersed themselves in the colorful and delicious world of Mardi Gras. The podcast spotlighted Big Easy Whiskey's unique offerings, allowing the audience to celebration Mardi Gras at home with its famous whiskey-infused King Cakes and signature cocktails. The podcast detailed the King Cake's ingredients, including a flavorsome cinnamon brown sugar filling and topping of caramel icing. Alongside, Big Easy Whiskey's Krewe-inspired merchandise is highlighted. As a bonus, those observing Dry January can enjoy an alcohol-free Whiskey Flavored King Cake. The episode concluded giving spotlight to Big Easy...

In the latest episode of BC Food News, Jennifer English discusses Real Good Foods' newly launched flour tortillas, designed for the health-conscious consumer. These tortillas are high in protein and fiber, low in carbs, and lack seed oils. Unlike the typical low-carb tortillas that are dense due to added fibers, Real Good Foods' tortillas adopt a culinary approach without compromising flavor or texture. They’re initially available in select clubs in California and the Southeast, as they expand beyond frozen and refrigerated aisles. This move leads Real Good Foods' strategies to explore center-of-store categories like wraps, snacks, and chips to me...

In this episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English discusses the thrilling reimagining of Tucson’s Bungalow Block into Tucson Gastro Park. Developer Peter Anadranistakis plans to convert the century-old bungalows into a food lover's paradise featuring themed gastro lounges crafted to offer unique experiences. With support from businesses like Barrio Bread and Talega Coffee, the project is also working on enhancing pedestrian safety and creating an attractive campus ambiance. The ongoing transformation symbolizes a brilliant fusion of historic preservation and future food and beverage creativity, aiming to spotlight Tucson’s culinary heritage and bring forth innovative gastronomy collaborations on a...

The BC Food News podcast, hosted by Jennifer English, discussed an exciting partnership between McCormick, the global leader in flavor, and Paris Hilton's media company, 11:11 Media. This two-year long collaboration aims to inspire new era of creativity and flavor-centric content in the culinary world, utilizing Hilton's influence to engage the next generation of consumers and elevate McCormick's brand. The collaboration is set to commemorate popular film and TV moments and will feature strategies from 11:11 Media and Hilton, both enthusiastic about the partnership. Listeners were advised to follow McCormick on Instagram and TikTok for updates, emphasizing the goal of the partnership...

In an insightful episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English discusses the Taste of the NFL event occurring in conjunction with Super Bowl LX in San Francisco. The event, which aims to combat student hunger, brings together renowned chefs, NFL Legends, and important organizations such as PepsiCo and GENYOUth. Food and wine tastings from top local restaurants, chefs, and vintners are highlights, as well as personal interactions with famous NFL players. The event's proceeds contribute to GENYOUth's mission, helping to eliminate food insecurity among students by providing meal equipment packages to K-12 schools nationwide. PepsiCo furthermore awards grants to...

In this episode of BC Food News, host Jennifer English discusses the exciting partnerships of Tim Hortons with the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee. The iconic Canadian brand will serve its coffee at the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and launch initiatives to rally Canadians behind Team Canada. These initiatives include commemorative coffee cups, special rewards and contests, and a hockey card collection celebrating Team Canada's achievements. The company will also support public viewing parties across Canada and introduce a collectible Team Canada reusable cup available at restaurants and online. Additionally, a special offer...

The BC Food News podcast, hosted by Jennifer English, explores the intriguing concept of non-alcoholic spirits brought to life by the world-first Seedlip brand. The episode talks about Seedlip's initiative to make Dry January more enjoyable with their recent campaign, 'Yeah, It’s a Drink,' featuring popular TV personality Dorinda Medley. This campaign demonstrates the appealing and classy side of non-alcoholic cocktails while maintaining the fun aspect of social gatherings. Listeners are also informed about an upcoming pop-up event by Seedlip at The Oculus World Trade Center in NYC to experience Seedlip's unique, calorie-free, sugar-free, and carbohydrate-free cocktails, which co...