The Culinary Federation of Manitoba held their annual Gala dinner April 24th. It is a significant evening as it coincides with the 50ths anniversary of the first Canadian Team Culinary Olympics Gold Medal from 1976 and a special tribute to Chef Nick Marchak, one of the team members who passed away this January.
The Culinary Federation Winnipeg Branch has experienced over 60% membership growth, leading the Culinary Federation in annual memberships growth with a resounding 152 members!
The reception started at 6pm with 4 schools' student and instructors reception stations. The dinner started at 7pm with Lifetime Members being piped in by Winnipeg Bagpiper, Tony Blair
The event was MC'd by Winnipeg chef Jesse Friesen, Executive Chef of Academy Hospitality, including Pizzeria Gusto, Gusto North, Merchant Kitchen, Yard Burger, among other notable Winnipeg restaurants.
The awards were announced throughout the event.
Three members of the Manitoba culinary community who have passed away this year were honoured: Rolland Lavalee who was influential in establishing the Red Seal Apprenticeship program in Manitoba; Leo Ledohowski, the founder of Canad Inns Hotels and employer of hundreds if not thousands of cooks and chefs over their 50 years; and Chef Nick Marchak, one of the original founders of the Canadian Culinary Federation in 1962 and the first Canadian chef to win gold at the IKA Culinary Olympics in Germany, 1976, coincidentally also the 50th anniversary of this Canadian heritage and culinary historical accomplishment.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shark Club Vancouver is ready to become the place to be for the summer of soccer with the launch of Canada House by Coca-Cola, a seasonal transformation turning the venue into a high-energy hub for fans cheering on Canada throughout the world’s biggest soccer tournament.

The venue was selected to undergo a full Coca-Cola transformation beginning in May, complete with bold Canada-themed décor and immersive fan experiences designed to bring the tournament atmosphere to life in the heart of downtown Vancouver.

Bringing every match to life with wall-to-wall screens and a stadium-like game-day vibe, Canada House by Coca-Cola will offer fans the ultimate place to watch and rally behind Canada. Guests can also expect prizes and giveaways throughout the tournament, rewarding fans who show up and celebrate.

“This summer, Shark Club is going all-in,” said Murray Saunders, General Manager, Shark Club Vancouver. “Canada House by Coca-Cola will be the home base for fans who want to experience every match with an unmatched atmosphere, exciting activations, and a community that knows how to cheer.”

In addition to Coca-Cola’s full venue takeover, Shark Club Vancouver will also partner with Smirnoff and Michelob Ultra, adding to the game-day experience with additional programming, prizing and featured offerings throughout the summer.

Located steps away from BC Place, Shark Club is set to be the ultimate gathering place for fans looking to catch every match and cheer on Canada alongside fellow supporters in a vibrant, stadium-like atmosphere.

More details on matchday programming, giveaways, and in-venue activations will be announced in the coming weeks. Keep an eye on our socials for more details.

For full information on all Shark Club Locations and their opening hours, please visit www.sharkclub.com

Vancouver, B.C., April 23, 2026 – Last night, two of Vancouver’s leading cocktail destinations,  and , earned spots on the prestigious 2026 North America’s 50 Best Bars list. The Keefer Bar ranked No. 7 overall and was named The Best Bar in Canada, while June made an impressive debut at No. 17 as a new entry (and third best bar in Canada).

“We’re incredibly honoured to see both of our bars recognized on this year’s North America’s 50 Best Bars list, alongside such a strong showing from across Canada,” says Keenan Hood, co-proprietor of both The Keefer Bar and June. "I've been in this industry a long time – almost my whole life and bartending about half of them. I've been a dishwasher, a cook, a bar back, but my heart is behind the bar. It's in my blood."

"To have The Keefer Bar named The Best Bar in Canada is the culmination of years of dedication and a continued deep love for this industry. And for June, which just celebrated its first anniversary, to be welcomed on the list at No. 17 is truly special. We’re immensely proud of both our teams and grateful to be part of such a talented community, representing both our city and our country.”

Hood’s fellow co-proprietor Cam Watt says, “I’m very proud of Keenan and his crew for placing both The Keefer Bar and June within the top 20 bars in all of North America. Keefer took top spot in all of Canada. It’s really an accomplishment given the level of competition. Good work, guys!”

The Keefer Bar, an apothecary cocktail bar located in Vancouver’s historic Chinatown, opened in February of 2010 on the first day of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Since then, it has landed on several 50 Best Bars lists, including being recognized on the 2012 World’s 50 Best Bars as one to watch, and on the 2013 World’s 50 Best Bars extended list. In 2022, The Keefer Bar claimed the No. 25 spot on the inaugural North America’s 50 Best Bars list. In 2025, it landed at No. 28. The Keefer Bar is managed by Keenan Hood and fellow award-winning bartenders Amber Bruce (beverage director), Tristan Young (general manager), and Hugo Finan (bar manager).

June, a brasserie-inspired bi-level concept in Vancouver’s Cambie Village, just opened in March of 2025. Since opening, the neighbourhood has warmly embraced its creative cocktails and take on classic French dishes upstairs and has made LaLa, its 40-seat vinyl listening basement bar, a destination. June is founded by owner-operators Keenan Hood and Cam Watt, Dunya Hood (partner), and its opening team: Leticia Castro (general manager), Amber Bruce (beverage director), Connor Sperling (head chef), Satoshi Yonemori (bar manager), and Riley Maggs (head bartender).

“The bartending community is one of the most tight-knit in the hospitality industry, and these accolades are very special and not something we take for granted,” adds Bruce. “We’re always working and furthering our technique, while developing new flavours and creating spaces where guests feel genuinely welcome. It’s truly rewarding to see the work we put in resonate on an international stage.”

The North America’s 50 Best Bars rankings are  of more than 300 anonymous industry experts, including bartenders, bar owners, drinks writers, and well-travelled discerning drinkers from across the region.

For more information about The Keefer Bar, please visit.
For more information, please visit.

April 22, 2026 – Toronto, Ontario – Lactalis Canada Foodservice, a division of Canadian dairy leader Lactalis Canada, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Chefs Canada as an Official Sponsor of Team Canada for the legendary Bocuse d’Or competition. Often referred to as the Olympic Games of gastronomy, the Bocuse d’Or is a prestigious culinary competition held every two years, bringing together 24 of the world’s top chefs in Lyon, France, to compete for the profession’s highest honour.

This partnership aims to support the culinary excellence of Team Canada as they compete on the global stage, showcasing Canadian talent, creativity, and gastronomic innovation at one of the world’s most respected culinary events. It reflects a shared commitment to elevating Canadian cuisine and empowering the country’s top culinary talent with the high-quality dairy ingredients they need to perform at the highest level.

“Lactalis Canada is incredibly proud to support Team Canada on their Bocuse d’Or journey,” said Iven Zanardo, General Manager, Foodservice & Ingredients at Lactalis Canada. “Canada’s culinary leaders continue to break boundaries and gain international recognition, and to do so, they rely on the highest quality ingredients. We’re honoured to play a role in their creative process, and this partnership reflects our shared belief in showcasing the quality and craftsmanship behind Canadian cuisine on the world stage.”

“Thank you to Lactalis Canada Foodservice for their sponsorship of Team Canada. Their assistance helps to make our dreams of reaching the podium possible and shows their dedication to supporting Canadian chefs,” said Chef Keith Pears, National Culinary Athlete of 2026.

"We are thrilled to welcome Lactalis Canada Foodservice as an official partner of Team Canada,” said Thomas Delannoy, Founder & President of Chefs Canada. “Competing at the Bocuse d’Or requires not only immense skill and creativity but also access to the very best ingredients that represent the quality of our land. Partnering with a dairy leader that shares our passion for excellence ensures our chefs have the premium products necessary to showcase the true depth of Canadian gastronomy on the world stage.”