MONTEREY, Calif., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Republican Red Winery today announced it has received three prestigious awards at the 2026 Monterey International Wine Competition, including Best of Show and Platinum for its America 250 Sparkling Wine (scored 94 points) and Gold for its Vino MAHA Cabernet Franc (scored 91 points).

The Monterey International Wine Competition is recognized as one of the nation's respected wine judging events, bringing together experienced industry professionals including winemakers, sommeliers, wine writers, retailers, and educators. Wines are evaluated through a rigorous blind tasting process designed to ensure impartiality, with judges assessing entries based on quality, balance, structure, varietal expression, aroma, and finish.

At a time when the U.S. wine industry is experiencing declining consumption and an oversupply of grapes, Republican Red Winery continues to expand its portfolio through thoughtfully developed releases that resonate with consumers seeking meaning and connection in the products they choose. By focusing on craftsmanship, American sourcing, and wines tied to cultural moments and shared values, the winery has identified a distinct niche that continues to support growth even amid broader industry headwinds.

America 250 Sparkling Wine was created to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States and to honor the spirit of liberty, resilience, and unity that has shaped the American story. Bright and refined, the wine features lively bubbles, balanced acidity, and a crisp finish intended for meaningful celebrations and historic moments. As part of a limited commemorative collection, the wine reflects the belief that certain milestones deserve to be marked with intention and shared with others.

Vino MAHA Cabernet Franc reflects a philosophy rooted in heritage, authenticity, and intentional living. Thoughtfully crafted to emphasize balance, structure, and purity, the wine is inspired by traditions that have shaped the rhythm of home life for generations. Vino MAHA encourages a return to the table as a place of connection, conversation, and appreciation for the values that bring people together.

Both award-winning wines reflect Republican Red Winery's commitment to producing wines that prioritize quality while also embracing meaning and identity. The recognition highlights the winery's continued focus on thoughtful sourcing, careful production, and wines designed to complement meaningful occasions.

"These awards affirm what we believe at Republican Red Winery — that our customers love the labels, but it's the quality of the wine that keeps them coming back," said Founder Paul Johnson. "America 250 Sparkling Wine and Vino MAHA were both created to reflect values that bring people together: heritage, craftsmanship, and intentional living. We are proud to support American-made wine from grapes to glass and the farmers who make it possible, and we are honored to see these wines recognized by such a respected panel of judges."

TORONTO, April 17, 2026 /CNW/ - The Playoffs are here and Tim Hortons is showing up for Canadian hockey and basketball fans in a big way.

Available now, participating Tims® restaurants in Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto are serving up limited-edition large hot beverage cups decked out in the colours and spirit of their Playoff-bound hometown teams:

• Fans in Edmonton can cheer on the Oilers with a Tims cup transformed into Oilers orange and the rallying cry: "Let's Go Oilers!"
• Ottawa fans will cheer on the Senators with black hot beverage cups and the "Go Sens Go!" message.
• In Montreal, Habs fans will celebrate with a red Tims cup with white and blue accents along with the "Go Habs Go!" chant.
• In Toronto, black cups include the Raptors' legendary "We The North" slogan front and centre.

"As the home of the Tim Hortons Double Double®, we have twice the excitement this Playoff season for Canadian hockey and basketball fans with so many of our hometown teams battling it out for Playoff glory," says Hope Bagozzi, Chief Marketing Officer for Tim Hortons.

"We're so excited to join our guests in cheering for Canada's teams throughout the Stanley Cup® Playoffs and NBA® Playoff runs."

Plus, starting April 18, each time a Canadian NHL® team wins a 2026 Stanley Cup® Playoff game, Tims RewardsTM members will unlock exclusive, limited-time offers in the Tims app.

Also, Tim Hortons will be supporting the Raptors Playoff Tailgate in Maple Leaf Square in Toronto where fans can enjoy free Tims coffee and hot chocolate while supplies last and cheer on the Toronto Raptors together.

NHL, the NHL Shield and the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams. © 2026 NHL. All Rights Reserved.

PITTSBURGH - Chatham University has launched a new professional certification designed to transform how commercial kitchens are built and operated.

Developed with sustainability leader EcoChef, the EcoChef Practitioner program trains chefs, architects, engineers, and designers to create high-performance commercial kitchens that prioritize energy efficiency, electrification, indoor air quality, and long-term operational value.

“At Chatham, sustainability has to be both innovative and practical,” said Emily Heffernan, Ph.D., Dean of the Falk School of Sustainability and Environment. “This program prepares professionals to lead the next generation of commercial kitchen design—where performance, health, and sustainability work together.”

The 12-module, self-paced online program explores electrified kitchen equipment, energy and waste optimization, ventilation and refrigeration systems, worker health, and the financial and policy considerations shaping modern foodservice operations.

The curriculum was developed by EcoChef co-founders Gerard Kenny, John Harrison, and sustainability chef Christopher Galarza, a leading voice in the green foodservice movement.

Learn more at chatham.edu or ecochef.org.

Toronto, ON — April 16, 2026 — Chef-driven concept Eggslut is officially entering the Canadian market with the opening of its first-ever location on King Street West in Toronto on April 30, 2026. This highly anticipated debut marks the beginning of a structured Canadian expansion, with a second Toronto location at Yonge and Dundas set to open in summer 2026, and additional markets under evaluation, including Vancouver.

Founded in Los Angeles in 2011, Eggslut quickly gained a devoted following for its elevated take on classic breakfast fare—transforming simple ingredients into thoughtfully crafted, craveable dishes. Today, the brand has grown into a recognized name, with locations across the United States and internationally throughout the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia.

In Canada, Eggslut is operated by Westrich Hospitality Inc., an independent franchise partner of ES Franchise LLC, the brand owner and franchisor. The Toronto locations are entirely Canadian-run, with a focus on sourcing directly from local Ontario-based suppliers and building a homegrown team—ensuring the brand's first chapter in Canada is rooted in the local community from day one. Key partners include Burnbrae Farms, which supplies the eggs central to Eggslut's menu, alongside a network of trusted local producers.

The King Street West location represents the first of multiple planned openings in Canada, bringing Eggslut's signature combination of high-quality ingredients, precise execution, and bold yet approachable flavours to one of North America's most competitive dining markets. The forthcoming Yonge and Dundas location will further establish the brand's presence in Toronto, with additional growth planned in key Canadian markets. All locations are developed in accordance with ES Franchise LLC's global brand and operational standards.

At the core of Eggslut's appeal is its tightly focused, chef-led menu. Fan-favourite items include The Fairfax, made with cage-free soft scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and sriracha mayo on a warm brioche bun, and The Slut, a coddled egg served over smooth potato purée, topped with grey salt and chives, and accompanied by slices of baguette.

“Eggslut started with a simple idea: take something familiar and make it exceptional,” said Andy Lee, Co-Owner of Eggslut. “From a food truck in Los Angeles to a global following, we've stayed focused on quality, consistency, and intention. Toronto is a city that truly shows up for food, and we're excited to introduce Eggslut to the market and let the food speak for itself.”

“From day one, our focus has been on building Eggslut in Canada the right way—with a local-first mindset,” said Adam Flook, Development Lead, Westrich Hospitality. “We've partnered with Canadian suppliers, hired a Canadian team, and approached this as a long-term investment in the market. While the brand has global recognition, we're delivering an authentic Eggslut experience that's deeply rooted in the local community.”

With its Canadian debut, Eggslut is poised to become a standout player in Toronto's competitive dining landscape—bridging the gap between fast-casual convenience and chef-driven quality, while delivering the visually compelling, flavour-forward experience that has defined the brand globally.

Eggslut's first Toronto location will open at 545 King Street West in Toronto on Thursday, April 30th, 2026.

Learn more at eggslut.com | eggslut.ca