Vancouver, B.C., October 30, 2025 – On November 18, 2025, executive pastry chef, Kate Siegel, who was named Vancouver Magazine’s 2025 Pastry Chef of the Year, will welcome three of Canada’s most talented pastry chefs to Botanist for an exclusive, one-night-only pastry collaboration dinner -- Kenta Takahashi, Oliver Bernardino, and Lisa Yu.

Together, the award-winning pastry chefs will present a dessert-forward, seven-course, beverage-paired tasting menu, with each dish reflecting the chef’s unique approach to “the last course”.

“I’m excited to welcome our pastry chef friends to Botanist for an evening that celebrates desserts,” says Siegel. “Desserts are often the last course of most meals but also the last impression for guests. It is not often we get a chance to celebrate dessert through a tasting menu, and this one will feature both sweet and savoury flavours.”

Tickets are $145++ and are available .

Menu

1st Course
Kate Siegel
Carrot Granita – poached quince, gastrique

2nd Course
Oliver Bernardino
Bourdaloue – toasted almond, pear, buckwheat

3rd Course
Kenta Takahashi
Jasmine Mango Pavlova – jasmine tea ice cream, lime semifreddo, mango, lychee, meringue

4th Course – Intermezzo
Oliver Bernardino
Orange Julius – yogurt sorbet, tapioca

5th Course
Lisa Yu
Rhum Baba – apple, sea buckthorn, honey

6th Course – Full Dessert
Kate Siegel
Chocolate, Beets – Manjari cremeux, beet and rose ice cream, beet cake, pink pepper meringue

7th Course
Lisa Yu
Petit Fours - canelé, chocolate

Guests will also get to take home bonbons and treats by Takahashi to enjoy the next day, including chocolate bonbons, marshmallows, mini stollen, and madeleines.

“This is a truly rare opportunity to have four of Canada’s most talented pastry chefs in one kitchen, on one night,” adds Hector Laguna, executive chef, Botanist. “Each of them brings a distinct perspective to the table. I can’t wait to see the desserts they create.” 

ABOUT THE CHEFS

Kate Siegel, Executive Pastry Chef, Botanist
Siegel discovered her passion for pastry at George Brown College before beginning her career with Four Seasons in Toronto and Whistler. She soon took on her first executive pastry chef role at Vancouver's Metropolitan Hotel, before leading pastry at Shangri-La Toronto, studying chocolate in France at Valrhona, and managing production at SOMA Chocolatemaker, where she embraced ethically sourced chocolate. Siegel was named Vancouver Magazine’s 2025 Pastry Chef of the Year.

Kenta Takahashi, Executive Pastry Chef, Boulevard
An award-winning pastry chef in his home country, Takahashi worked in several restaurants in Tokyo and Kanagawa, Japan, before relocating to Vancouver, where he continued to hone his craft under the guidance of renowned pâtissier and chocolatier Thierry Busset. He was named Canada’s Best Pastry Chef in 2020, 2023, and 2024, and Vancouver Magazine’s 2024 Pastry Chef of the Year.

Oliver Bernardino, Executive Pastry Chef, Wentworth Hospitality Group
Bernardino began his career at Kitsilano’s acclaimed Beaucoup Bakery in 2013, before joining the pastry team at Gastown’s L’Abattoir to further his growth in the restaurant industry, eventually assuming the role of head pastry chef in 2020. During his tenure, Bernardino’s desserts were featured in Condé Nast, recognized by the Michelin Guide, and highlighted in Canada’s 100 Best, which named him as one of country’s best, most inventive Pastry Chefs of 2024.

Lisa Yu, Pastry Chef, Monarque
Yu is a graduate of Vancouver Community College’s pastry program. She started her career at Swiss Bakery, then landed at several renowned Canadian establishments, including West, Thuet, and Auberge du Pommier. After furthering her chocolate skills in Australia at Kakawa and Cacao Chocolates, she returned to Canada and worked at acclaimed Pâtisserie Rhubarbe before joining Monarque, now a Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant, in 2018.

For more information, please visit . Reservations are now open and can be made available online.

TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2025 /CNW/ - At Mary Brown's Chicken, community has always come first. From coast to coast, the brand has been dedicated to giving back through charitable initiatives, local sponsorships, and regional activations that bring people together. With a long-standing belief that food tastes better when it's shared, Mary Brown's Chicken continues to strengthen its role at the heart of Canadian communities – and Canada's favourite game is a big part of that story.

Mary Brown's Chicken, Canada's fastest-growing chicken quick-service restaurant brand, is proud to announce an expansive partnership with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), the Western Hockey League (WHL), and the Newfoundland Regiment team of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). These agreements mark an exciting new chapter for Mary Brown's Chicken as the brand deepens its connection to Canadian hockey communities nationwide.

With exclusive sponsorship rights in the QSR Chicken & Wings category, the brand will connect with fans through in-arena activations, special fan experiences, and ongoing community engagement initiatives in markets across Ontario, Western Canada, and Newfoundland.

"Hockey is at the heart of so many Canadian communities," says Kala Patel, Vice President, Marketing, MBI Brands. "At Mary Brown's Chicken, we share that same community-first spirit. These partnerships are an opportunity to support local teams, engage with fans, and strengthen our ties within the communities beyond the game." 

"Hockey is more than a game -- it's part of our Canadian identity, just like Mary Brown's Chicken. The Ontario Hockey League is proud to partner with Mary Brown's Chicken," added Matt Gergely, Director of Business Operations for the Ontario Hockey League. "This partnership is about celebrating community, tradition, and the pure joy of the game -- from the first puck drop to the last bite."

Yvonne Bergmann, Vice-President, Commercial Strategy & Brand for the Western Hockey League says, "big cheers to Mary Brown's Chicken! We are excited to welcome Mary Brown's Chicken to the Western Hockey League. The WHL is looking forward to Mary Brown's Chicken proudly backing our teams in their western markets and giving fans more to celebrate with the Mary Brown's Chicken Goalie of the Week."

Through these partnerships, Mary Brown's Chicken will be active in dozens of Canadian markets, including cities represented by 11 WHL teams, 17 OHL teams, and in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, through the Newfoundland Regiment.

To learn more about Mary Brown's ongoing commitment to giving back, visit the brand's  page.