TORONTO, Oct. 8, 2026 /CNW/ -- Stacked, the breakfast and lunch chain with more than 170 restaurants across Canada, launched its first national brand campaign Thursday with a 60-second film narrated by one of its booths. The campaign asks Canadians to make more time for meals together.

The campaign, "Life Happens Around the Table," lands four days before Thanksgiving, a holiday built around a shared meal. The rest of the year looks different. According to an Angus Reid study, 65% of Canadians wish their family ate together more. Stacked's new campaign is an invitation to change that, offering an everyday space for families to slow down and reconnect.

The film is built around the people who fill Stacked restaurants every week. The camera never leaves one booth. Over 60 seconds, the booth watches four groups come and go, each one a routine, tradition or occasion that keeps guests coming back: friends at their weekly Sunday brunch, a retired couple who have taken the same seats every Tuesday for years, a youth soccer team celebrating a win, and a family singing "Happy Birthday" over a candle in a stack of pancakes. Stacked says each scene is one its servers see every week.

Toronto agency King Street Media wrote and produced the film, shooting it in a single day with a cast of nearly 50 people. The campaign runs on YouTube, including on TV screens, and on Instagram and Facebook through Dec. 14, with 30-, 15- and 6-second versions.

"A lot of families will sit down together this weekend for Thanksgiving, then go back to eating in the car on Tuesday," said Danica Brett, the Vice President of Marketing at Stacked. "We think the table deserves more than one weekend a year. That's what a breakfast restaurant is for. We want to bring Canadians back around the table."

Stacked restaurants are open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. A full list of locations is available at stacked.ca.

As Canada's fastest-growing breakfast chain, Stacked has opened more than 70 restaurants in the past two years.

Locations and menus are at stacked.ca.

Open kitchens, hybrid concepts and rapidly evolving consumption patterns: out-of-home dining is undergoing a profound transformation. A culture to which Host, the world-leading exhibition dedicated to the hospitality organised by Fiera Milano, contributes by anticipating innovation not only through its biennial exhibition, but also through the regular insights produced by the HostMilano Observatory, which throughout the run-up to the event tracks market performance and the most promising emerging trends, turning them into business opportunities.

With more than 2,200 exhibitors and over 183,000 trade visitors from around the world, the 2025 edition confirmed HostMilano as a leading global platform for hospitality, out-of-home dining and food retail. The event also recorded strong growth in international attendance, including +27% from the United States, +29% from Brazil, +21% from the United Arab Emirates and +20% from Australia.

Looking ahead to the 2027 edition, more than 1,000 exhibitors have already confirmed their participation, with international exhibitors accounting for 50% of the total. These figures underline the strong industry confidence in the event and its continued ability to attract leading global players.

Building on its role as a leading global hub for the sector, Host continues its internationalisation journey through a series of structural partnerships that are shaping a true worldwide network for professional hospitality. Following the success of the first edition of Host Arabia, developed in collaboration with local partner Semark, and with the second edition already scheduled to take place in Riyadh from 7 to 9 December 2026, the partnership with NAFEM – the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers – will bring the Host format to the United States in 2027, creating a new bridge between Europe and North America and further strengthening the connection between the world’s leading hospitality and out-of-home markets.

Host therefore confirms its position as a strategic, dynamic and flexible platform where business, innovation and networking come together to anticipate emerging trends and shape the future of the industry.

It is on this solid foundation that the strategy for the 45th edition of HostMilano is being developed, with Foodservice once again set to be among the key protagonists, in a sector that continues to reinvent itself by combining innovation, creativity and evolving market challenges.

A growing sector worth almost €80 billion

According to data compiled by ExportPlanning exclusively for the HostMilano Observatory, in 2025 global production in the professional foodservice equipment sector – including kitchens, ovens, cooktops, cooking appliances and related equipment – reached €77.7 billion, marking an increase of around 35% compared to the pre-pandemic period and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of +5.2%.

With an average annual growth rate of +10.3%, the most dynamic category is that of small electromechanical appliances, highlighting the increasing automation of operational processes. In absolute terms, the two largest product categories are pots and pans (€26.9 billion, CAGR +3.8%) and electric kitchens, cooktops and ovens (€23 billion, CAGR +5.2%), which together account for two thirds of global production.

As for global trade, in 2025 it reached €55.8 billion (+0.3% compared to 2024), outlining a solid market set to accelerate further. Forecasts from ExportPlanning indicate a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of +4.3% over the 2027–2029 period, moving closer to €65 billion over the forecast horizon. The United States is the world’s leading market, at €8.4 billion (a 15.6% share), followed by Germany (€4.8 billion), the Netherlands and Poland (both at €2.5 billion), and France (€2.4 billion). Looking ahead, the strongest contributions to demand growth are expected from Europe, with Germany leading the way at +€906 million (CAGR +4.5%), followed by Poland (+€642 million, CAGR +6%) and the Netherlands (+€551 million, CAGR +5%).

Focus on the Italian Table Aborad: 90,000 “ambassadors” of Made in Italy worldwide

Growth driven not only by innovation, but also by demand. The results of the first systematic mapping of Italian restaurants abroad, conducted by Sociometrica for FIPE with the report The Italian Table Abroad, identified 1,486 Italian restaurants across ten European cities (from Paris to Berlin, and from London to Amsterdam), analysing more than 115,000 menu items. With an average score of 8.95/10, consistent across all cities and price segments, customer satisfaction is notably high, alongside an average main dish price of €30.30: an affordable premium positioning that combines accessibility with a strong perception of quality, also supported by as much as 85.9% of menu items being unique—a figure with no comparison in the wider European gastronomic landscape.

The most successful formats are also the most authentic: the pizzeria is the most widespread, with 345 venues and the highest Value Index, meaning that customers in Italian pizzerias across Europe pay below-average prices while receiving above-average quality. The Margherita is the most frequently listed dish (657 occurrences), while among pasta dishes Carbonara stands out (449), Tiramisù is the most widely shared dessert (541), and the Aperol Spritz is the most exported social ritual of Italian culture, present in all ten cities (383 occurrences). On a global scale, there are nearly 90,000 Italian restaurants operating as true cultural “embassies”, projecting the country’s identity, lifestyle and artisanal expertise worldwide.

The kitchen takes centre stage: trends reshaping the sector towards Host 2027

Against the backdrop of both Italian and international developments, the HostMilano Observatory has identified a series of structural trends that are redefining spaces, menus and service models.

Starting with physical spaces: the professional kitchen is no longer a hidden area, but increasingly the visible heart of the venue. In the most recent projects, the dining room is designed around an open kitchen, with layouts that combine transparency, theatricality and functionality. The boundary between production and consumption is becoming increasingly blurred, and the visibility of the process is becoming an integral part of the guest experience.

Layouts are also becoming more flexible and reconfigurable. Today, venues are designed as modular systems capable of shifting configuration between lunch, aperitivo, dinner, private events and delivery pick-up, with indoor and outdoor areas treated as a single adaptive system: more than an aesthetic choice, this reflects a structural response to the multiplication of consumption occasions.

Consumption itself is increasingly fragmented into frequent micro-occasions. The day is no longer organised solely around lunch and dinner. Advanced snacks, small portions, sharing plates and weekday brunches are reshaping menus and service time bands, extending trading opportunities and requiring more versatile equipment and faster production cycles, often bringing together different functions such as foodservice, bakery, café and food retail.

In terms of flavours, fermentation, umami notes and a return to live-fire cooking are emerging as a shared language in contemporary mid-to-upscale dining. Miso, fermented dairy products, charcoal-grilled preparations and ingredients that deliver aromatic complexity are finding a growing audience, from fine dining to accessible premium formats.

The 45th edition of Host will take place at Fiera Milano from 22 to 26 October 2027.

Now in its 45th edition, HostMilano is the leading international event for professional hospitality, out-of-home and food retail, organised by Fiera Milano. Held every two years, Host is the place where the sector’s trends are anticipated, international demand meets supply, and innovation is turned into business opportunities. From professional catering to the art of baking, from ice cream and confectionery to coffee, and from furnishings to technology for the table, the event brings together the various industry supply chains within a single ecosystem, where craftsmanship and traditional know-how engage with industry and the most innovative formats.

Host will be held at Fiera Milano from Friday 22 to Tuesday 26 October 2027.

Over 1,000 companies confirm their participation

More than 1,000 companies from 50 countries around the world have already confirmed their participation in HostMilano 2027, directly during the previous edition of the event, through the rebooking process.

This figure further consolidates the results of the 2025 edition, which closed with more than 2,200 exhibitors and over 183,000 professional visitors from around the world, alongside particularly significant growth in international attendance: +27% from the United States, +29% from Brazil, +21% from the United Arab Emirates, and +20% from Australia.

These figures confirm the confidence that industry professionals place in HostMilano’s strategic role as the world’s leading platform for the sector.

A complete ecosystem, from large-scale equipment to craftsmanship

The unique concept of HostMilano combines a comprehensive overview of professional hospitality with in-depth sector-specific insights, in a journey that highlights the connections and cross-pollination between industry supply chains: Professional Catering with Bakery, Pizza, Pastry and Ice Cream; Coffee and Tea, with Bars, Coffee Machines and Vending; Furniture, Technology and Tableware.

Host 2027 will place particular emphasis on the sectors that showcase the identity and creativity of Italian taste around the world, including gelato and pastry, the art of baking, and coffee.

A special focus on Bakery in 2027

In 2027, Bakery will have a particularly prominent role at HostMilano, reflecting the importance of a sector where traditional craftsmanship and new professional expertise engage with the Italian and international industry. The sector is undergoing a period of deep transformation, driven by technological innovation, new consumption formats and growing internationalisation. Host brings together the tradition of breadmaking with the technologies that are reshaping the profession, from large-scale leavened products and slow fermentation processes to emerging nutritional needs.

The HostMilano Observatory

The journey towards Host 2027 is supported by the HostMilano Observatory, an analysis and insight programme that, throughout the two-year period, tracks the figures and trends across the sectors represented at the event, turning them into business opportunities.

According to an analysis prepared by ExportPlanning exclusively for the HostMilano Observatory, in 2025 global production across the sectors represented at the event exceeded €243 billion, more than 26% higher than in the pre-pandemic period, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of +4.0%. Global trade stands at €174.2 billion, while Italian exports exceed €8.7 billion (+3.8%), confirming the leading role of Made in Italy in global markets. Projections for the 2027–2029 three-year period point to further acceleration, with a CAGR of +4.2%, bringing global trade to €200 billion by the end of the decade.

With Host Global Network across the world’s most dynamic markets

With Host Global Network, the event is extending its model beyond Milan, bringing professional hospitality directly to the world’s most dynamic markets. Following the launch of Host Arabia in Riyadh at the end of last year — organised in partnership with Semark, with its second edition scheduled to take place from 7 to 9 December 2026 — the journey continues to North America with Host America. Organised in collaboration with NAFEM – North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers, Host America will take place in Orlando from 11 to 13 February 2027, in the halls of The NAFEM Show.

Milan, Riyadh and Orlando are creating a network of complementary events, in which each stop highlights the opportunities offered by a specific market while, together, strengthening HostMilano’s role as a global platform for the sector.

These trajectories will come together in Milan, at the 45th edition of Host Milano, bringing together leading Italian and international suppliers with highly targeted buyers from around the world. The event will take place at Fiera Milano from Friday 22 to Tuesday 26 October 2027.

TORONTO, Oct. 6, 2026 /CNW/ -- Today, Top Chef Canada announced Season 13 sponsors featuring six premium brand partners with custom in-show integrations, challenges, custom viewer experiences, branded prize packages, and select retail extensions. Season 13 of Top Chef Canada, last fall's #1 Lifestyle specialty program*, premieres Tuesday, October 20 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Flavour Network and streaming exclusively on STACKTV.

As previously announced, Top Chef Canada Season 13 sees 12 chefs battle for the opportunity to achieve the Canadian culinary dream and earn the title of Canada's Top Chef. In the end, only one chef will rise to the top and take home the grand prize package, which includes $10,000 courtesy of SharkNinja, McCain® French Fries, and Furlani respectively, a culinary trip to Italy courtesy of Peroni Nastro Azzurro, DoorDash for a year, and a feature in alive Magazine.

SharkNinja joins the season as the series' small appliance partner, outfitting the Top Chef Canada kitchen with its latest generation of culinary innovations while also lending its name to the SharkNinja Locker Room. The brand sponsors a casino-inspired Quickfire Challenge that sees chefs create bold dishes using randomly selected ingredient pairings determined by cards and a culinary roulette wheel. Throughout the season, competitors will utilize SharkNinja products including the Ninja Slushi XL and Ninja Crispi Pro Air Fryer. SharkNinja will have an additional campaign element for consumers, to be revealed in-show. SharkNinja contributes a $5,000 Quickfire prize and $10,000 toward the season's grand prize. 

McCain® French Fries joins Season 13 with a Quickfire Challenge celebrating one of Atlantic Canada's most beloved traditions: the East Coast Kitchen Party. Inspired by the traditional flavours and community spirit of Atlantic Canada, chefs will compete to create craveable, elevated bites using iconic McCain® French fries for the chance to win $5,000. McCain® branding will also be integrated throughout the season, further showcasing the brand's connection to great food moments. As a grand prize contributor, McCain® will also contribute $10,000 toward the season champion's winnings.

Peroni Nastro Azzurro joins as the exclusive beer sponsor for Season 13, bringing a taste of the Italian aperitivo lifestyle to the competition. The brand is featured in a special Elimination Challenge inspired by the beauty of Italian ingredients, traditions, and entertaining culture. Peroni also contributes a culinary trip to Italy for the winning chef, along with a $5,000 challenge award. 

In a competition where every second counts, DoorDash returns as the season's official countdown clock sponsor, helping keep chefs on track as they race against time. DoorDash also sponsors a heartfelt Quickfire Challenge inspired by the meals that bring people together. Joined by two Toronto-based food creators, the chefs are tasked with creating a dish inspired by a favourite delivery order they love to share with family and friends. Adding to the emotion of the challenge, each chef is surprised with the opportunity to cook alongside a loved one before presenting their creations to the judges. The winning chef receives a $10,000 cash prize, while the eventual Season 13 champion will receive "DoorDash for a year" valued at $10,000 as part of the grand prize package.

Furlani brings the flavours of a Canadian summer to the competition with its Cottage Cooking Quickfire Challenge. Inspired by the cottage traditions enjoyed from coast to coast, chefs must create elevated dishes that capture memorable cottage moments while incorporating Furlani Garlic Bread bringing the flavour pop to everyday moments, and Furlani products are also featured throughout the season. The partnership extends beyond broadcast with Top Chef Canada featured on product packaging, an integrated consumer contest where the lucky winner will receive a Top Chef Canada dinner experience for two curated by Chef Mark McEwan. Furlani, Canada's favourite garlic bread, also contributes a $5,000 challenge prize and $10,000 toward the grand prize package. 

alive Magazine joins Top Chef Canada as the series' first-ever official magazine partner. As sponsor of the season's first challenge, alive Magazine lends its name to a high-stakes competition that awards the winning chef a $10,000 cash prize. The partnership also includes branded placement within the Shark Ninja Locker Room and extends across multiple platforms through co-branded promotional content and custom broadcast integrations throughout the season. As part of the grand prize package, the Season 13 champion will also receive a featured profile in alive Magazine, further showcasing their culinary achievements to audiences across Canada.