OPEN, the short documentary film series created by filmmaker JR Reid and food writer Ivy Knight, has officially partnered with Roads & Kingdoms, the American food and travel magazine known for its deeply reported, global storytelling. R&K famously counted Anthony Bourdain as a creative partner and investor, helping establish its global reputation for rigorous reporting using food and travel as a lens to explore humanity, culture, and place.

OPEN documents restaurant teams immersed in the daily rituals and unseen labour that make service possible. This cinematic documentary series, shot entirely on Super 8 film, is layered with vintage SLRs, Fuji disposables, and Polaroid stills, creating a tactile visual language rarely seen in contemporary food media.
The series grew out of the pair’s acclaimed short film Skyline, which premiered at Hot Docs and screened at the TIFF Lightbox. Reid and Knight first met while working in a restaurant as teenagers. Reid and Knight seek to portray restaurants with honesty, showcasing them as living systems rather than lifestyle backdrops.

Knight’s writing has appeared in The New York Times, Food & Wine, The New Yorker, and The Globe & Mail, among others.
OPEN features every kind of restaurant, from MICHELIN stars to food courts. With narration by legendary food writer James Chatto.
Future episodes of OPEN will be available exclusively through Roads & Kingdoms.

Paramount+ announced that the new drama series MARSHALS is set to premiere on Monday, March 2, 2026, exclusively on Paramount+ in Canada. The series key art and official trailer are also now available. From executive producer Taylor Sheridan MARSHALS follows the next chapter for Yellowstone’s Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) in an intense action-packed drama about law, loyalty, and personal sacrifice.

With the Yellowstone Ranch behind him, Kayce Dutton joins an elite unit of U.S. Marshals, combining his skills as a cowboy and Navy SEAL to bring range justice to Montana. Kayce and his teammates – Pete Calvin (Logan Marshall-Green), Belle Skinner (Arielle Kebbel), Andrea Cruz (Ash Santos) and Miles Kittle (Tatanka Means) – must balance the high psychological cost of serving as the last line of defense in the region’s war on violence with their duty to their families, which for Kayce includes his son Tate (Brecken Merrill) and his confidantes Mo (Mo Brings Plenty) and Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) from the Broken Rock reservation.

The series is produced by Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios and is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution. Executive producers for the series include Taylor Sheridan, David Glasser, John Linson, Art Linson, Spencer Hudnut, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Michael Freidman, Luke Grimes, Greg Yaitanes and Keith Cox. Hudnut also serves as showrunner for the series.

@ParamountPlusCA

About Paramount+

Paramount+ is a premium streaming subscription service delivering live sports, breaking news, and a Mountain of Entertainment™, and is a cornerstone of the Direct-to-Consumer division of Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY), a leading, next‑generation global media and entertainment company. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS – America’s most‑watched broadcast network, CBS News, CBS Sports, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, SHOWTIME®, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information, please visit www.paramount.com.

Elevation Pictures release SWEETNESS in theatres March 6, 2026 and today we get a new Trailer

Written and Directed by: Emma Higgins
Starring: Kate Hallett, Herman Tømmeraas, Aya Furukawa, Justin Chatwin, Steven Ogg and Amanda Brugel

When a chance encounter with a rockstar crush leads 16 year old Rylee to discover that he’s a dysfunctional drug addict, she takes it upon herself to help him, ultimately forcing her teenage fantasies into reality. 

Amazon MGM Studios Canada x Mr. Will are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of CRIME 101 in Toronto Thursday, February 12, 2026 at Scotiabank Theatre at 7:00PM.

Synopsis: Set against the sun-bleached grit of Los Angeles, Crime 101 weaves the tale of an elusive jewel thief (Chris Hemsworth) whose string of heists along the 101 freeway have mystified police.

When he eyes the score of a lifetime, his path crosses that of a disillusioned insurance broker (Halle Berry) who is facing her own crossroads.

Convinced he has found a pattern, a relentless detective (Mark Ruffalo) is closing in, raising the stakes even higher.

As the heist approaches, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, and all three are faced with life-defining choices–and the realization that there can be no turning back

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and in the comments, tag a friend you’re taking! Multiple entries allowed.

Rules and regulations here.

CRIME 101 IS ONLY IN THEATRES ON FEBRUARY 13, 2026

Watch the official trailer and download the new posters for Kristoffer Borgli‘s The Drama, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson.

In theatres April 3rd, 2026. Save the date.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, from 5:30 to 7pm, Lyla, located at 60 Sudbury St., will host Mother of All Talks, an ongoing speaker series presented by Valley of Mother of God Gin. For this session, titled “Beyond the Busy Season: How Restaurants Win During Quiet Months,” the discussion will be centred around how restaurants can make the most of a traditionally challenging time of the year.

The panel will bring together Tiana Atapattu Jayatunga, Creator and Host at Streets of Toronto; Caroline Aksich, a Toronto-based writer whose work appears in Toronto Life, Fodor’s, and Designlines; Taylor Newlands, Toronto-based writer and editor for Foodism, and Jenny Shin, CEO of Milestones Public Relations. Moderated by Lyla co-owner Daniel Van Welie, the panelists will share practical, budget-friendly strategies for generating buzz and driving traffic to restaurants, followed by an audience Q&A.

Guests will be welcomed with a complimentary cocktail featuring Valley of Mother of God Gin and Ice Chef premium ice, with water being provided by San Pellegrino. Light bites from Lyla’s Executive Head Chef Michael Medeiros will offer guests a taste of the menu, and attendees are encouraged to stay for dinner at Lyla following the panel, to continue the rigorous discussions. This event is free but spots are limited. Guests can reserve a spot HERE.

Tiana Atapattu Jayatunga – Content Creator Panelist

Tiana will bring the creator-side perspective to the panel, breaking down how restaurants can work with content creators to drive real awareness and foot traffic, and what a thoughtful, effective partnership looks like. She’ll also demystify compensation, sharing guidance on what impacts pricing, what’s considered fair, and how to align on deliverables and expectations so collaborations feel valuable on both sides. Tiana is a Toronto-based food and lifestyle reporter, video journalist, and creator who focuses on storytelling with heart. After hosting more than 800 videos at blogTO, she has since produced and appeared in over 1,500 stories spotlighting the small businesses, restaurants, and events that shape Toronto and Canada, including reporting annually from the TIFF red carpet. Today, she is a familiar face at Streets of Toronto, where her video journalism reaches millions each month; she also co-hosts The Table 6ix Podcast, consults on social media growth and content strategy, and continues to grow her personal platforms, including her viral $50 Date series and the $50 Date Menu collaboration spin-off.

Caroline Aksich – Media Panelist

Caroline will share a journalist’s perspective on how restaurants can earn meaningful coverage with little to no budget, what makes a pitch stand out, how to build genuine media relationships, and the smart, scrappy angles that help stories get picked up without a full PR team. Caroline, a National Magazine Award recipient, is an ex-Montrealer who writes about Toronto’s ever-evolving food scene, real estate, and culture for Toronto Life, Fodor’s, Designlines, Canadian Business, the Globe and Mail, Glory Media, and Post City. Her work ranges from features on octopus-hunting in the Adriatic to celebrity profiles.

Taylor Newlands – Media Panelist

Taylor will bring the editor’s lens to the panel, sharing what food and lifestyle outlets are actually looking for right now, how to identify a story angle that cuts through, where restaurants can find “news” in what they’re already doing, and how to position openings, menu moments, and collaborations in a way that makes writers want to cover them. Taylor is an award-winning writer and editor based in Toronto. Currently, she’s the digital editor of foodism and escapism, where she spends most of her time stuffing her face with the latest food and drink trends, and trying out travel and wellness experiences first-hand “for research.” In her writing, she balances amplifying underrepresented voices and telling untold stories with showcasing the incredible food and drink that make Toronto the best city in the world.

Jenny Shin – Public Relations Panelist

Jenny will ground the discussion in the PR playbook, sharing how restaurants can build sustained visibility through smart storytelling, relationship-building, and reputation management, plus the practical steps operators can take to create consistent momentum, even in quieter seasons. Jenny, President and CEO of Milestones Public Relations, is a notable figure in public relations, specializing in fine dining, hospitality, and reputation management. With a steadfast commitment to ethics and advocacy, she guides MICHELIN-star chefs and global restaurants toward realizing their aspirations, fostering positive advancements in the hospitality industry. Jenny’s mission centres on adding value to every engagement, cultivating meaningful relationships, and leaving a lasting impact through integrity, accountability, and clear communication.
Daniel Van Welie – Moderator

As moderator, Daniel will bring the operator’s perspective to the conversation, connecting the panel’s media, creator, and PR insights back to the day-to-day realities of running a restaurant, and steering the discussion toward practical takeaways that teams can actually implement on the floor and behind the scenes. Daniel is a Toronto-based hospitality entrepreneur originally from Montreal. He moved to Toronto at 18 and built his foundation working both front- and back-of-house at Terroni and NODO while studying Hospitality Management at George Brown College. At 22, he co-opened his first restaurant, CANO, a classic Italian trattoria on St. Clair, alongside his cousin and uncle, and later branched out independently to open Lyla Toronto at 29, an elevated Mediterranean destination defined by thoughtful design, vibrant energy, and a guest-first dining experience. With hands-on experience in every role, Daniel brings a holistic, operational lens to hospitality, pairing genuine service and standout food with a sharp appreciation for wine, cocktails, and the financial mechanics behind a successful restaurant.

About Lyla
Lyla is a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in Toronto’s Liberty Village, known for vibrant flavours, warm hospitality, and an energetic dining experience suited to both intimate dinners and group celebrations. The menu is curated by Executive Chef Michael Medeiros, and rooted in quality local and seasonal ingredients that highlight the best of what’s available throughout the year. With a focus on thoughtful plates designed for sharing, Lyla brings a modern, elevated approach to Mediterranean dining in a lively, welcoming setting.

Netflix today announced that Finding Her Edge has been renewed for Season 2.

Season 1 of the YA series launched on January 22 and debuted in the Netflix English TV Top 10, where it has remained since its release, climbing up to #3 this week. It reached the top 10 in 81 countries and now has over 12M views.

QUOTE FROM PUBLISHER: “Originally published as a hardcover in 2022, Jennifer Iacopelli’s FINDING HER EDGE paperback with a Netflix burst released in December 2025 and has sold 500% more copies in just 8 weeks compared to the hardcover.” – Jen Klonsky, President and Publisher of Putnam Books for Young Readers

QUOTE FROM SHOWRUNNER JEFF NORTON: “I set out to make a show about love, featuring characters navigating a particularly difficult path in their lives and in their sport. It’s a true gift to be able to work with such a talented cast to extend these characters’ journeys in Season 2, with the support of Netflix and WildBrain. I’m certain fans will be delighted as we delve deeper into the two love triangles that anchor our show—the romantic one and the familial one. There’s plenty of drama to come both on and off the ice.”

QUOTE FROM AUTHOR JENNIFER IACOPELLI: “I am over the moon at the reception Finding Her Edge has received by viewers all over the world. To see my book come to life and watch the world fall in love with my characters has been a dream come true, and now that dream gets to continue with a season two! I can’t wait for audiences to see what’s in store for Adriana, Brayden, Freddie and the rest of Team Russo!”

SEASON 1 SYNOPSIS: The series follows the three Russo sisters, heirs to a struggling figure skating dynasty. As middle sister, seventeen-year-old Adriana trains for the World Championships with new partner Brayden, while still harbouring feelings for her first love and former partner, Freddie. Her life becomes complicated when she and Brayden pretend to be a couple off the ice so they can land a sponsorship to keep the financially struggling Russo rink afloat.

SHOWRUNNER and EP: Jeff Norton (Geek Girl, The Small Hand)

DIRECTORS: Shamim Sarif (You, The Way Home) and Jacqueline Pepall (Horrible Histories, Goldie’s Oldies)

WRITERS: Shelley Scarrow as head writer (Wynonna Earp, Degrassi: The Next Generation), Sabrina Sherif (The Summer I Turned Pretty, Wild Cards), Jeff Norton and Jacqueline Pepall

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Josh Scherba, Stephanie Betts and Angela Boudreault for WildBrain

CAST: Madelyn Keys (A Mother’s Life, The Exchange), Harmon Walsh (Gossip Girl, Murdoch Mysteries), Alexandra Beaton (Overcompensating, Luckiest Girl Alive), Cale Ambrozic (Hotel Cocaine, We Were Liars), Olly Atkins (Percy Jackson and The Olympians, The Casket Girls), Meredith Forlenza (Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, Blindspot), Alice Malakhov (Anne With an E, Reverse 1999), Niko Ceci (I Woke Up a Vampire, Odd Squad), and Millie Davis (The Umbrella Academy, Wonder)

BASED ON BOOK BY: Jennifer Iacopelli

For more about Finding Her Edge, please visit TUDUM.com

Celebrated Indigenous director Michael Greyeyes helms THE LIGHT BEFORE THE SUN, a 33-minute mid-length feature film, written by three-time Canadian Comedy Award winning Rob Baker (CBC’S THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES and Netflix/CBC’s WORKING MOMS), based on a story created by Jamie Thomas King (AMC’s MAD MEN, Showtime’s THE TUDORS), Tamara Podemski (Apple TV+’s MURDERBOT, Prime Video’s OUTER RANGE) and Rob Baker.

Under the Blackbird Productions banner, THE LIGHT BEFORE THE SUN is produced by Tamara Podemski and executive produced by Jamie Thomas King.

THE LIGHT BEFORE THE SUN is about famed self-help guru Daniel Wolf (Jamie Thomas King) returning home to an empty house after an international book tour and then his estranged friend Freddie (Rick Roberts) arrives on the scene. They spiral into a drug-induced contemplation of the human condition, as Daniel attempts to reconcile his body of work, the demand of his followers, and his unrelenting quest for enlightenment.

THE LIGHT BEFORE THE SUN stars:
Jamie Thomas King (AMC’s MAD MEN, Showtime’s THE TUDORS)
Rick Roberts (CTV/NBC’s TRANSPLANT, ABC’s DESIGNATED SURVIVOR) *winner of the 2025 ACTRA Award for Outstanding Performance for this role – (Equity equivalent in Canada)
Tony Nappo (Netflix’s GINNY & GEORGIA, Hallmark’s MISTLETOE MURDERS)
Jennifer Podemski (Crave’s DON’T EVEN, FX’s RESERVATION DOGS)
Rose Napoli (JUMP, DARLING, MAX’s TITANS)
Rob Baker (CBC’s BARONESS VON SKETCH SHOW, Netflix’s GINNY & GEORGIA)
Karen LeBlanc (CBS/Paramount +’s FIRE COUNTRY, Netflix’s GINNY & GEORGIA).
Directed by: Michael Greyeyes (CTV/APTN’s ACTING GOOD)
Written by: Rob Baker (CBC’S THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES and Netflix/CBC’s WORKING MOMS)
Story by: Jamie Thomas King, Tamara Podemski, Rob Baker
Produced by: Tamara Podemski (Apple TV+’s MURDERBOT, Prime Video’s OUTER RANGE)
Executive Produced by: Jamie Thomas King

Premiere Status: United Kingdom Premiere
Country: Canada
Runtime: 33 minutes
Language: English

LITTLE VENICE FILM FESTIVAL nominations:
Best Actor – Jamie Thomas King
Best Narrative Short
Mental Health Experience
Screeners and Interviews are available upon request. Jamie Thomas King is available for in-person interviews April 20 – April 28, 2026.

Connect with BLACKBIRD PRODUCTIONS
Website: blackbirdproductions.ca
Instagram: @blackbirdprodinc
Facebook: Blackbird Productions

LITTLE VENICE FILM FESTIVAL – for more information/tickets, click here.

ABOUT BLACKBIRD PRODUCTIONS INC.
Fuelled by their mutual desire to expand Tamara and Jamie’s vision as storytellers, BLACKBIRD PRODUCTIONS is an opportunity for this husband and wife team to claim their space behind the camera as producers, writers and content creators. With a mission to educate, empower and entertain, BLACKBIRD PRODUCTIONS is passionate about provocative, socially conscious stories of resilience and the capacity of the human spirit.

THE LIGHT BEFORE THE SUN (LONG SYNOPSIS)
Struggling to find his footing after coming off an international book tour, celebrated self-help guru Daniel Wolf returns home to an empty house. With his family snowed in hundreds of miles away and without his support systems in place, he does everything he can to keep himself from calling the one person who could relieve his anxieties, but also lead him down a rabbit hole. When estranged friend Freddie arrives on the scene, Daniel succumbs to the desperate need for reassurance, liberation and intimacy. As the two friends spiral into a drug-induced contemplation of the human condition, Daniel attempts to reconcile his body of work, the demand of his followers, and his unrelenting quest for enlightenment. Set within the world of the human potential movement, Daniel’s descent reveals the intricate web of mental health, addiction and celebrity culture. In this journey of self-discovery, Daniel must decide if he’s willing to lose everything and finally step into his most authentic self.

ABOUT TAMARA PODEMSKI
Tamara Podemski is an Anishinaabe (First Nations) and Ashkenazi (Jewish) multi-disciplinary performer whose work has spanned over three decades on stage and screen. She is best known for her acting roles in DANCE ME OUTSIDE, THE REZ (CBC), READY OR NOT (Global), RESERVATION DOGS (FX) and the Broadway company of RENT. In 2007, Tamara won the Special Jury Prize for Acting at the Sundance Film Festival for her role in Sterlin Harjo’s FOUR SHEETS TO THE WIND, which also garnered her a Film Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Tamara stepped behind the camera in 2018, writing two seasons of the Indigenous documentary series FUTURE HISTORY(APTN), earning her a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Factual Writing. The following year, she joined the Indspire Awards (CBC) as writer and researcher for this nationally-televised variety program, which was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Biography Series.

For her role in The CW and CBC’s television drama CORONER, she won a Canadian Screen Award (CSA) for Best Supporting Actress (2021), as well as an ACTRA Award for Outstanding Performance – Female. The next year, for the same role, Tamara won her second CSA for Best Guest Performance, Drama Series, and received another two CSA nominations for Best Supporting Actress in the family drama UNSETTLED (APTN/TVO) and Best Ensemble for ESSEX COUNTY (CBC) with Molly Parker.

After starring alongside Josh Brolin in two seasons of OUTER RANGE (Prime Video), Tamara went from Erica Tremblay’s FANCY DANCE (Apple TV+) opposite Lily Gladstone to the sci-fi comedy MURDERBOT (CBS/Apple TV+) starring Alexander Skarsgård. In 2026, she will be seen in two upcoming feature films: Hubert Davis’ remake of YOUNGBLOOD and Gail Maurice’s Michif-language film BLOODLINES. Back on the small screen, Tamara will reprise her roles on two very different CBC shows: the menopause comedy SMALL ACHIEVABLE GOALS and the police procedural SAINT PIERRE, while introducing a new character in the upcoming crime drama THE BORDERLINE (Crave) opposite Minnie Driver.

Tamara claimed her space as a producer in 2023, launching Blackbird Productions with her husband Jamie Thomas King. From its passion for provocative and diverse storytelling to its engagement of healthy workplace processes and practices, Blackbird is committed to amplifying the conversation of mental health and trauma recovery, while providing safe spaces for dialogue and discourse through all levels of production.

As an Indigenous storyteller, Tamara continues to advocate for authentic representation, inclusion in-front and behind the camera, as well as challenge the colonial narrative pervasive in the entertainment industry.

ABOUT JAMIE THOMAS KING
Jamie Thomas King is an English-American actor born and raised in London, England, where he began his training with the National Youth Theatre and later received a scholarship to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). In 2005, Jamie starred in the Royal National Theatre’s production of Sir Alan Bennett’s “The History Boys”, directed by Sir Nicholas Hytner, which was followed by a UK tour and a transfer to the West End’s Wyndham Theatre.

For the next decade, Jamie moved between film and television, with characters like Guy Mackendrick in the Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning series MAD MEN (AMC), and Sir Thomas Wyatt in two seasons of the historical drama THE TUDORS (Showtime). From popular network shows like PRIVATE PRACTICE (ABC), ELEMENTARY (CBS), CALL THE MIDWIFE (BBC) and MURDOCH MYSTERIES (CBC) to roles in Oscar and BAFTA-winning films like Mike Leigh’s MR. TURNER and Tomas Alfredson’s TINKER, TAILER, SOLDIER, SPY, Jamie established himself as an international screen actor, but never forgot his theatre roots. In 2015, Jamie returned to the stage to join the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford, England starring in John Ford’s “Love’s Sacrifice” directed by Matthew Dunster.

In 2016, following the death of his son Benjamin due to preventable medical error, Jamie took a hiatus from his acting career to focus on the Coroner’s Inquest and pursue justice and accountability for his family. During what eventually became a five-year lawsuit, Jamie relocated to Toronto, Canada and joined forces with patient safety advocates around the world in their mission to improve global healthcare practices, eventually teaching workshops, offering keynote addresses and creating a Foundation in memory of his son.

Returning to the film industry in 2021, Jamie secured the rights to OBE Recipient James Titcombe’s memoir Joshua’s Story: Uncovering the Morecambe Bay Maternity Scandal and wrote his first screenplay; a dramatised version of the book, which is also inspired by his own personal experiences as a patient safety advocate and bereaved parent.

In 2023, Jamie partnered with his wife Tamara Podemski to create Blackbird Productions, subsequently acting as EP, co-writer and star of their first project, The Light Before the Sun, which had its world premiere at the Hamilton Film Festival in October 2024. Recently, Jamie has been featured as Zachary Quinto’s love interest on BRILLIANT MINDS (NBC) and in season two of MISTLETOE MURDERS (Hallmark).

Oishii, the innovative company behind the world’s largest strawberry smart farm, launches today in Toronto with the Canadian debut of the Koyo Berry, a premium Japanese strawberry varietal. The Koyo Berry is available for purchase across all Fortinos locations and other fine grocers, and will be featured on menus this month at Toronto venues including Miku, Andrea’s Cookies, Belle Isle and KWENTO, with more collaborations to come. Oishii’s mission is to transform agriculture through smart farming by blending nature with state-of-the-art technology to grow consistently exceptional produce year-round, delivering reliability, quality and flavour, regardless of season. Torontonians can shop for the Koyo Berry at their local Fortinos, and can expect continued expansion. To find the closest retailer near you, use Oishii’s store locator HERE.

Oishii’s berries are grown to an exceptional standard: pesticide-free, Non-GMO, and consistently sweet, with a signature ripeness that delivers a perfectly red interior from tip to stem. Grown indoors without pesticides, Oishii’s Koyo Berries don’t even need to be washed before enjoying, making them as effortless as they are premium. True to its name, Oishii, meaning “delicious” in Japanese, is bringing a strawberry experience designed to taste as good as it looks, while Koyo, meaning “elated,” reflects the feeling each bite delivers, refreshingly sweet with balanced acidity. Oishii’s Koyo Berries are beautiful and delicate, which is why each tray is specially curated and engineered to protect the fruit, minimizing bruising and preserving freshness and flavour from store to home.

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Oishii will host a special pop-up in front of Minami (225 King St. West near John St.) on February 14, 11am-4pm, where they will be giving away free trays of Koyo Berries, flowers curated in partnership with Mitsu Ikebaby and custom Valentine’s Day cards. Items will be available while supplies last.

To continue Valentine’s Day festivities, Oishii will be featured in a series of Toronto collaborations that highlight the Koyo Berry in limited time desserts and takeaway treats. From February 13 to 14, Miku will offer an Oishii Berry Shortcake, crafted by MICHELIN pastry chef, Aiko Uchigoshi.

“I wanted guests to experience the pure flavour of the Koyo Berry, and its aroma, softness, and balanced sweetness feel remarkably close to the strawberries I grew up eating in Japan, familiar, nostalgic, and deeply comforting,” said Uchigoshi. “Because Koyo is so delicate and juicy, I can use the berries whole between layers of sponge and cream so they melt seamlessly into the cake, and even alongside Dulcey chocolate and pistachio, the Koyo Berry still shines.”

When it comes to ingredients that inspire chefs, one of the most informed perspectives comes from Jacob Richler editor-in-chief and publisher of Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants.

“I do my best to eat seasonally – but I’ll always make a happy exception for a product as good as this. Having these firm, fragrant, sweet and luscious strawberries readily available here all-year-round is a game-changer,” says Jacob Richler.

KWENTO will release an Oishii Tea Cake Set with a presale window running February 2 to 9, followed by pick up from February 12 to 15.

From February 11 to 15, Andrea’s Cookies will roll out a Chocolate Oishii Berry Cookie across all Toronto locations.

Extending beyond Valentine’s Day, Belle Isle will feature an Oishii Berry Rice Pudding available from February through March.

“Oishii was founded with the goal of bringing Japanese fruit culture to new audiences, and Toronto is an exciting next step for us,” said Hiroki Koga, Co-Founder and CEO of Oishii. “We are proud to introduce the Koyo Berry to the Canadian market and to partner with trusted retailers and culinary leaders to make it easier for Canadians to experience premium produce that consistently delivers on quality flavour, season after season.”

About Oishii

Oishii is the only vertical farming company to achieve bee pollination at scale, creating an indoor ecosystem that supports consistently high quality produce. By harmoniously marrying nature with cutting-edge technology and innovation, Oishii can identify, test and replicate the ideal environment for each unique product, enabling always-in-season produce without dependence on weather, while using less land and water.

Oishii is a smart-farming company redefining how premium strawberries are grown, operating the world’s largest indoor vertical strawberry farm. By combining controlled-environment agriculture with natural bee pollination, Oishii carefully calibrates key growing conditions, including airflow, temperature, light, moisture, and nutrients, to cultivate in-season quality year-round. Established in 2016, the company is backed by investors including SPARX Group, NTT, Yaskawa, McWin Capital Partners, and Resilience Reserve, and was named to Fast Company’s “World’s Most Innovative Companies” list in 2022. Learn more at www.oishii.com.

(Photo credit: Nicholas Calcott)

Colio Estate Wines today announced the appointment of Lawrence Buhler as Vice President, Winemaking, effective February 2, 2026.

A highly-respected Canadian winemaker, Buhler brings extensive domestic and international experience and deep roots in Ontario’s wine industry. He most recently served as Head Winemaker at Henry of Pelham, one of Ontario’s leading VQA wineries.

A graduate of the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) at Brock University, Buhler has held senior winemaking roles at Peller Estates Winery and Colio Estate Wines, and gained experience in notable wine regions including France, Chile, Argentina, and Australia. He previously worked at Colio from 2011 to 2015, and was integral as part of the winery’s significant increase in production and quality.

In his new role, Buhler will lead Colio’s winemaking strategy across its portfolio. He joins the company’s Executive Team, working closely with production and vineyard partners to support quality, regional expression, and strong grower relationships.

“Returning to Colio, and to the Harrow community, truly feels like coming home,” said Lawrence Buhler. “After working in wine regions around the world, I’m inspired by the potential of Ontario VQA wines and excited to collaborate with Colio’s team and grower partners to craft wines that reflect the character of this region.”

Buhler’s passion for wine began early through international travel with his wine-enthusiast father. His winemaking philosophy blends global experience with a strong sense of place, focusing on producing expressive, high-quality VQA wines.

“Lawrence is an accomplished winemaker with exceptional talent and experience,” said Jim Clark, President, Colio Estate Wines. “His global experience, deep understanding of Ontario VQA wines, and longstanding connection to Colio make him the ideal leader for our winemaking team. We are thrilled to welcome Lawrence and his family back to Harrow, and confident he will help shape the next chapter of Colio’s success.”

While Colio has grown substantially since its founding—today, there are 12 brands with over 50 SKUs—the origin as a family business very much remains part of the DNA. Buhler takes pride in leading with a cohesive team approach. Over the coming months, he will be sharing a fresh vision for this next era of Colio, which includes ambitious plans to grow the VQA portfolio, to further anchor Colio as an important pillar of the Canadian wine scene.

About Colio Estate Wines

Founded in 1980 and located in Harrow, Ontario, Colio Estate Wines is one of Canada’s leading wine producers and a cornerstone of the Ontario wine industry. With a diverse portfolio that includes Ontario VQA wines, international blends, and innovative wine styles, Colio is committed to quality, craftsmanship, and strong partnerships with local grape growers. Rooted in the Lake Erie North Shore appellation, Colio combines decades of winemaking expertise with a forward-looking approach to deliver wines that reflect both tradition and modern consumer tastes.