#FIRSTLOOK: “NORTH OF NORTH” SEASON TWO LAUNCHES NOVEMBER 5, 2026

Today, Netflix announced the second season of Canadian hit comedy series North of North launches on Netflix globally, Thursday November 5, 2026.

North of North was Netflix’s first series commissioned from Canada and is a co-production with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), in partnership with APTN.

Logline: As winter closes in on Ice Cove, young Inuk mother Siaja (Anna Lambe) is still making bold decisions and even bolder mistakes in her effort to level up her life. The hardest part? Proving to her tight-knit Arctic community and herself, that she’s ready to take charge.

Produced by Red Marrow Media and Northwood Entertainment
Creators/Executive Producers: Stacey Aglok MacDonald (Qanurli, The Grizzlies) and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril (Angry Inuk, The Grizzlies) for Red Marrow Media
Executive Producer: Miranda de Pencier (Anne with an E, Beginners, The Grizzlies) for Northwood Entertainment
Additional Executive Producers: Mike Goldbach (Fleishman Is In Trouble, Heated Rivalry), Garry Campbell (The Kids in the Hall, Less Than Kind), Jessie Gabe (Workin’ Moms, One More Time), and Robin Gurney (Twin Peaks, Kidding).
Cast: Anna Lambe (Siaja), Maika Harper (Neevee), Braeden Clarke (Kuuk), Jay Ryan (Alistair), Mary Lynn Rajskub (Helen), Zorga Qaunaq (Millie), Bailey Poching (Colin), Nutaaq Simmonds (Elisapee), Keira Cooper (Bun)
Format: 8 Episodes

#FOOD: OSMOW’S SHAWARMA CELEBRATE 25TH ANNIVERSARY

Osmow’s Shawarma is celebrating its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of growth from one restaurant in Streetsville,
Mississauga, to 250 locations across Canada and the United States.

Since opening in 2001, the family-led company has sold more than 50 million shawarmas and helped introduce the dish to a broader Canadian audience.

“When I opened our first restaurant, I wanted to share food that was familiar to me with the community around us,” said Sam Osmow, Founder of Osmow’s. “I never imagined that 25 years later, we would be celebrating 250 locations and more than 50 million shawarmas sold. This milestone belongs to every customer, employee and franchisee who believed in us.”

Osmow’s began when Sam purchased a small Streetsville sub shop and gradually transformed its menu around the Middle Eastern flavours he prepared for himself and his family. As customers embraced the food, the restaurant developed the modern Mediterranean concept that would become Osmow’s.

The company went on to popularize signature creations including Chicken ON THE ROCKS® and Chicken ON THE STIX®. In 2020, Osmow’s also established National Shawarma Day, now celebrated annually on October 15 as a wider celebration of shawarma and Middle Eastern cuisine.

“National Shawarma Day is our annual Customer Appreciation Day—a chance for us to give back to the customers who have supported us by bringing back original in-restaurant pricing,” said Sam Osmow.

Today, Osmow’s is led by two generations of the Osmow family. Sam’s son, Ben Osmow, serves as Chief Executive Officer, while his daughter, Bernadette Osmow, serves as President. Together, they are leading the company’s continued expansion while maintaining its family-business roots.

“Our father built Osmow’s by listening to his customers, taking risks and remaining closely connected to the community,” said Ben Osmow, Chief Executive Officer of Osmow’s. “As we enter our next chapter, our responsibility is to protect those values while creating new opportunities for our franchisees, employees and customers.”

Although Osmow’s now operates across North America—with established markets in Miami, Michigan, Virginia and New Jersey, along with recent expansion into Ohio and Texas—the company remains headquartered in Mississauga, with nearby manufacturing operations and more than ten restaurants across the city.

Sam’s contribution to the community was recognized in August 2026 when he received the Key to City from the City of Mississauga. Osmow’s has also been recognized among Canada’s Best Managed Companies and received Foodservice and Hospitality’s 2023 Pinnacle Award for Company of the Year. In 2025, Sam was named a recipient of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award.

As Osmow’s looks toward its next 25 years, the company is continuing its commitment to community impact through the Osmow’s Hope Fund. Established in 2020, the fund supports food-security initiatives by partnering locally with Second Harvest and internationally with Mary’s Meals.

Customers are invited to visit Osmow’s restaurants on October 15 to celebrate National Shawarma Day and enjoy original in-restaurant pricing.


About Osmow’s™

Osmow’s™ is one of North America’s fastest growing quick-service restaurant chains, boasting
250 restaurants. Its modern take on classic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine has
proven a hit with its expanding customer base. Serving the best Shawarmas in North America,
Osmow’s™ pita wraps offer a choice of Chicken, Beef, Lamb, Falafel, Philly Shawarma and
Crispy Chicken Shawarma. The extensive menu also includes delicious Signature Creations
such as ON THE ROCKS® and ON THE STIX® and Canadian classics such as Shawarma
Poutine. Osmow’s™ is Proudly Canadian and family run since 2001. For more information visit
https://osmows.com/ or follow @osmows on Instagra

#FIRSTLOOK: RELEASE DATE FOR “COWARD”

MUBI, the global distributor, streaming service and production company, is delighted to announce the Canadian theatrical release date for Lukas Dhont’s (Academy Award® nominee Close) latest feature, Coward, alongside the official artwork. Coward will be released in cinemas across Canada on December 25, 2026 and has been selected as Belgium’s Official Submission for Best International Feature Film for the 99th Academy Awards®.

The film had its World Premiere in Competition at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, where Emmanuel Macchia and Valentin Campagne jointly won the Best Actor prize.

Set at the height of World War I in the shadows of the Belgian trenches, Lukas Dhont’s Coward unfolds as an epic, intimate journey of youthful self-discovery through love, art, and survival.

Pierre (Macchia) arrives at the front lines as a young soldier eager to find his footing in a world consumed by violence. Everything changes when he meets Francis (Campagne), a kindred spirit whose vision of staging a front-line theatre show unlocks a world Pierre never knew existed. What begins as a fleeting escape from the harsh reality of the trenches soon blossoms into a tender, emotional love story, anchored by the undeniable chemistry of breakout actors Emmanuel Macchia and Valentin Campagne. As the world burns around them, their stage becomes a sanctuary of innocence and devotion.

Coward beautifully explores the fine line between fear and fortitude for soldiers in search of a promised glory, ultimately asking: when the world demands brutality, is walking away for love the truest act of bravery?

Coward marks a reunion for director Lukas Dhont with his key creative collaborators, including co-writer Angelo Tijssens, producer Michiel Dhont, Cinematographer
Frank van den Eeden, composer Valentin Hadjadj, Editor Alain Dessauvage, Production Designer Eve Martin, and Sound Designer Yanna Soentjens. Together they continue the creative partnership that has shaped Dhont’s previous critically acclaimed work (Close, Girl). With Coward, Dhont further cements his reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary European cinema.

COWARD WILL BE RELEASED IN CANADA ON DECEMBER 25, 2026

About MUBI
MUBI is a global streaming service, production company and film distributor dedicated to elevating great cinema. MUBI creates, curates, acquires and champions visionary films, bringing them to audiences all over the world.

MUBI is a place to discover ambitious films by visionary filmmakers. From iconic directors to emerging auteurs. All carefully chosen by MUBI’s curators. With MUBI GO, members in select countries can get a free ticket every week to see the best new films in cinemas. And Notebook explores all sides of cinema culture — both in print and online.

Founded in 2007 by Efe Cakarel, MUBI is the biggest community of film lovers anywhere, with members across 190 different countries. MUBI acquired renowned sales agent and production company The Match Factory and Match Factory Productions in January 2022, and a majority stake in leading Benelux film distributor Cinéart in February 2024.

#FIRSTLOOK: HOLLYWOOD SUITE PRESENT SHOCKTOBER 2026 PROGRAMMING

Hollywood Suite is bringing back another full month of spook-tacular favourites, with over 80 terror-ific films in its 2026 Shocktober programming lineup, on demand and on-air all month long. Premiering exclusively this month are the fang-tastic premieres of the Hollywood Suite original-series Cinema A to Z with Witches and Creature Features (2026).

Additional Shocktober channel premieres include Jeff Barnaby’s Blood Quantum (2019), a zombie flick with social awareness. In the film, the dead are coming back to life outside the isolated Mi’kmaq reserve of Red Crow, except for its Indigenous inhabitants who are strangely immune to the zombie plague. Starring Michael Greyeyes and Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, it’s a homegrown thriller to add to your Halloween watch-list on HS2000s.

The final two episodes of Season 4 of Cinema A to Z will leave audiences with chills, starting with Creature Features. The episode examines our enduring fascination with the uncanny, featuring cinematic creatures from Renny Harlin’s classic Deep Blue Sea (1999) and Jennifer Lopez in Anaconda (1997) to fan-favourites Zombeavers (2014) and Kingdom of the Spiders (1977). A to Z: Witches will have you positively bewitched with the Sanderson Sisters in Hocus Pocus (1993), Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock’s midnight margaritas in Practical Magic (1998), and many more witchy titles.

Find more highlights below and trick or treat yourself to the full list of Shocktober selections available on Hollywood Suite this October at hollywoodsuite.ca/shocktober.

Son of Frankenstein (1940)

Abbott and Costello

Meet Frankenstein (1948)

Abbott & Costello

Meet the Invisible Man (1951)

Abbott & Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (1953)

House of Wax (1953)

Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

It Came From Beneath the Sea (1955)

The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)

The Blob (1958)

The Fly (1958)

The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958)

The Mummy (1959)

The Brides of Dracula (1960)

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

You’ll Like My Mother (1972)

The Wicker Man (1973)

It’s Alive (1974)

The Car (1977)

Demon Seed (1977)

It Lives Again (1978)

The Shining (1980)

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

The Thing (1982)

Creepshow (1982)

Of Unknown Origin (1983)

Firestarter (1984)

The Witches of Eastwick (1987)

The Lost Boys (1987)

They Live (1988)

Leprechaun (1993)

Leprechaun 2 (1994)

Leprechaun 3 (1995)

Wolf (1994)

The Craft (1996)

From Dusk til Dawn (1996)

The Frighteners (1996)

John Carpenter’s Vampires (1998)

The Faculty (1998)

Urban Legend (1998)

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Lake Placid (1999)

Deep Blue Sea (1999)

Hollow Man (2000)

Scary Movie (2000)

From Hell (2001)

John Carpenter’s Ghosts of Mars (2001)

Scary Movie 2 (2001)

Session 9 (2001)

28 Days Later (2003)

Freddy vs. Jason (2003)

Scary Movie 3 (2003)

Final Destination 2 (2003)

Dawn of the Dead (2004)

The Grudge (2004)

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Constantine (2005)

Scary Movie 4 (2006)

28 Weeks Later (2007)

30 Days of Night (2007)

Grindhouse (2007)

Vacancy (2007)

Quarantine (2008)

Orphan (2009)

Zombieland (2009)

Insidious (2010)

Final Destination 5 (2010)

Warm Bodies (2013)

Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)

Annabelle (2014)

The Visit (2015)

Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)

Annabelle: Creation (2017)

Happy Death Day (2017)

It (2017)

Blood Quantum (2019)

Hereditary (2018)

Us (2019)

Your Monster (2024)

ABOUT HOLLYWOOD SUITE

Curated by real movie lovers, Hollywood Suite operates four exclusive HD channels that showcase must-see movies from the Golden Age to today, plus exclusive new series from around the world, always uncut and commercial-free. With hundreds of movies every month on four HD channels and Hollywood Suite On Demand, Hollywood Suite provides unparalleled value to subscribers.

Hollywood Suite is available to over 10 million households across Canada, exclusively through Canadian television service providers and Amazon Prime Video Channels. Visit hollywoodsuite.ca for more information.

Hollywood Suite is an Anthem Sports & Entertainment company.

#FIRSTLOOK: SUPER CHANNEL NOVEMBER 2026 PROGRAMMING

Super Channel announce their upcoming November 2026 programming slate highlights with upcoming Documentaries, Movies and Series!

DOCUMENTARIES

Funny Money: The Dane Cook Story |Super Channel Fuse I PREMIERE
Premiere: Friday, November 6 at 9 p.m. ET / On Demand same day
Watch Trailer HERE
At the height of his career, Dane Cook wasn’t just selling out arenas, he was redefining what a stand-up comedian could become. But behind the sold-out shows, blockbuster films and worldwide fame, a betrayal was unfolding. Cook’s meteoric rise came to a sudden halt when he discovered that millions of dollars had been stolen from him by someone he trusted most: his best friend, confidante and brother, Darryl. Within four years of seemingly having it all, Cook was grappling with not only the financial fallout, but the profound personal breach of trust at the heart of it. Through intimate interviews and archival footage, Funny Money: The Dane Cook Story traces the discovery of the crime and the devastating fallout, bringing together perspectives from Cook’s family, childhood friends, investigators, prosecutors and others connected to the case. For the first time, Cook opens up fully about the broken bonds of brotherhood and the long road back from financial and personal devastation, revisiting the people and places at the centre of this story as he confronts what happened and fights to rebuild his life.

SERIES

War Trains |Super Channel Quest Original PREMIERE

Premiere: Wednesday, November 11 at 8 p.m. ET (2 episode premiere) / On Demand same day

War Trains explores the extraordinary—yet often overlooked—role of rail power in shaping the outcomes of modern conflict. Spanning the American Revolution, World War II, and the Cold War, this series uncovers how trains became indispensable engines of strategy, logistics, rescue, sabotage, and survival. It also reveals how trains evolved from vulnerable early machines into armoured, tactical weapons of war—from colossal rail‑mounted guns to fortified trains defending front lines, and even locomotive‑led sabotage operations designed to cripple enemy supply chains. Through rare archival footage, vivid CGI reconstructions, and expert insight from historians and engineers, each episode exposes the mechanical innovations, daring missions, and high‑stakes decisions that turned railways into tools of warfare. War Trains reveals the global story of how steel, steam, and ingenuity powered victory—and influenced the course of modern warfare.

MOVIES

Blessings in Disguise |Super Channel Heart & Home (Romance)
Premiere: Friday, November 6 at 8 p.m, ET / On Demand same day
Fashion designer Katie has three weeks to create a career-defining collection. Returning home, she unveils her work at her late grandmother’s shop, discovering scripture-stitched designs and reconnecting with first love Luke. Starring Shae Robins, Casey Elliott, Neil Bichler.

What She Didn’t Tell Me |Super Channel Fuse Original (Thriller) PREMIERE
Premiere: Friday November 13 at 9 p.m. ET / On Demand same day
When a disturbing overdose rocks her town, a determined but grieving pharmacist must unravel the link between a growing teen drug crisis and a mysterious grief website before her own daughter becomes the next target. Starring Genelle Williams, Eden Cupid, Ellie O’Brien.

Unexpected Grace |Super Channel Heart & Home (Romance)
Premiere: Friday, November 20 at 8 p.m. ET / On Demand same day
Trying to find her place in a new town, Grace discovers a note from a schoolgirl looking for a friend. She writes back and sets off a chain of events that ultimately changes the lives of three people. Starring Erica Durance, Michael Rady, Erica Tremblay.

The Baby My Husband Lied About |Super Channel Fuse (Thriller) PREMIERE
Premiere: Friday, November 20 at 9 p.m. ET / On Demand same day
A murder leads a newly-pregnant woman to discover that her IVF procedure might not have come from her husband, and someone will stop at nothing to keep her from discovering who the real father is. Starring Yoshie Bancroft, Clayton James, Karen Kruper.

About Super Channel Entertainment Network:

Super Channel offers viewers exceptional entertainment value, uncut and commercial-free, with four diverse channels – Super Channel Fuse, Heart & Home, Vault and Quest – plus access to Super Channel On Demand where available by service provider. Super Channel is available via most cable providers across the country as well as streaming live and On Demand with Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV+ and Fubo, with Super Channel+ available to download and stream from anywhere in Canada. Super Channel offers two free ad-supported channels, Super Channel Uncoveredand Super Channel Hearties, available on streaming platforms including Tubi, Plex, Xumo Play, LG, Roku, Pluto and Samsung TV Plus. Super Channel is owned by Allarco Entertainment 2008 Inc., an Edmonton-based media company. For a list of service providers, please visit superchannel.ca/subscribe or learn more at superchannelplus.ca.

#FOOD: TACO BELL X DUOLINGO GLOBAL TACO DAY TAKEOVER

Turns out, “taco” needs no translation. The word remains nearly the same across more than 30 languages, a common thread, all for the love of tacos. Spanish? Taco. French? Taco. German? Taco. Japanese? タコス (Takosu). Hindi? टैको (Taiko).

This Global Taco Day, Tuesday, October 6, Taco Bell and Duolingo are putting that universal language to work, taking the annual celebration global for the first time ever and calling on taco fans around the world, including across Canada, to go all out in the name of taco.

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Taco Bell Canada and Duolingo celebrate Global Taco Day
Global Taco Day kicks off with an all-new, limited-edition Duo Habanero Sauce, taco-fueled language fun and plenty of Duo-fueled surprises, including activations around the world and a one-day Taco Bell takeover in Toronto.

“Canadian fans have always had a lot of love for tacos, so we’re excited to give them an even bigger reason to celebrate this Global Taco Day,” said Meera Patel, Marketing Director, Taco Bell Canada. “Together with Duolingo, we’re bringing the global celebration to life right here in Canada, from the debut of Duo Habanero Sauce nationwide to Duo reporting for duty at Taco Bell in Toronto. It’s a fun way to celebrate something taco fans everywhere already have in common, no translation required.”

Duo Enters His Habanero Era
Introducing Duo Habanero Sauce, an all-new, limited-time sauce created exclusively for the Taco Bell x Duolingo collaboration. Bright and tangy with fruity notes and a kick of habanero heat, the sauce delivers a vibrant balance of flavour and spice that builds with every bite. Bold enough to match its namesake, Duo Habanero isn’t one to go unnoticed.

And because no Taco Bell sauce is complete without a little wisdom, Duo Habanero is getting multilingual. In Canada, the limited-edition sauce ramekins feature taco-inspired wisdoms across English, French, Spanish and Mandarin, which are some of the top languages Canadians are learning on Duolingo. Every wisdom is a reminder that while languages may differ, the love of tacos is universal.

Beginning October 6, fans at participating Taco Bell restaurants across Canada can score free Duo Habanero Sauce with qualifying taco orders, including a Crunchy Taco or Crunchy Taco Supreme, Soft Taco or Soft Taco Supreme, Doritos® Locos Tacos or Doritos® Locos Tacos Supreme, and the 2 Soft Taco Combo, while supplies last.

“Language and food are two of the most powerful ways we connect with culture and with each other,” said Emmanuel Orssaud, Chief Marketing Officer, Duolingo. “Taco is a rare word that travels easily across cultures, making it a fun starting point for getting people curious about language.”

Across participating markets globally, Duo plushies featuring a custom Taco Bell uniform will be up for grabs. Fans in Canada will have an opportunity to snag the limited-edition plushie through the Toronto Global Taco Day activation, while supplies last.

Duo Reports for Duty in Toronto
On Tuesday, October 6, Taco Bell and Duolingo are taking their taco fluency IRL with a one-day takeover at Taco Bell, 252 Church Street in Toronto.

Beginning at 10:30 a.m., Duo the Owl will report for duty for Global Taco Day, joining the Taco Bell team as the restaurant transforms into a celebration of the one word everyone already speaks. Fans can meet Duo, experience the all-new Duo Habanero Sauce, have the chance to win Super Duolingo codes, and have the chance to score limited-edition Taco Bell x Duo swag includes tote bags and plushies.

The Toronto celebration is part of a series of Global Taco Day activations taking place around the world, with Duo making appearances in Toronto, Mumbai, New York City and Shanghai as Taco Bell and Duolingo bring the global celebration to life locally.

For the Love of Taco Fans
Taco Bell has a history of making more of National Taco Day. In 2023, Taco Bell helped liberate “Taco Tuesday” in the United States, opening the phrase up for restaurants nationwide. Then, in 2024, Taco Bell took on the calendar itself, working with National Day Calendar to move National Taco Day to the first Tuesday in October. The brand celebrated the newly minted National Taco Day first anniversary in 2025 with special deals for fans.

The trademark? Cancelled. The calendar? Fixed. Next up: going global. With Duolingo along for the ride, it’s the next notch in Taco Bell’s years-long effort to make the day bigger for taco fans everywhere.

“We’ve always believed tacos are for everyone,” said Amy Ellis Durini, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, Taco Bell International. “There’s something pretty special about a word that can be understood across languages and cultures. Together with Duolingo, we’re celebrating a love of tacos that brings people together everywhere – and the idea that sometimes the things that connect us need very little translation at all.”

About Taco Bell Canada
Taco Bell serves bold, craveable flavours inspired by Mexican cuisine, offering fans a distinctive menu of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and innovative limited-time offerings. Since opening its first Canadian location in 1979, Taco Bell has continued to push the boundaries of quick-service dining through menu innovation, value, and unforgettable brand experiences.

To connect with the brand, visit:
Website: www.tacobell.ca
TikTok @TacoBellCanada
Instagram @tacobellcanada

About Duolingo
Duolingo is the leading mobile learning platform globally. Its flagship app has organically become the world’s most popular way to learn languages and the top-grossing app in the Education category on both Google Play and the Apple App Store. With technology at the core of everything it does, Duolingo has consistently invested to provide learners a fun, engaging, and effective learning experience while remaining committed to its mission to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available.

Duolingo Super code giveaway is available in limited quantities and while supplies last. Additional eligibility, redemption and offer terms may apply. Limited time offer. Ends 10/6/26 or when supply of codes is depleted, whichever occurs first; redeem code by 11/15/2026. Must not be a current Duolingo subscriber. Cannot be combined with any other Duolingo extended free trial offer this calendar year. Eligibility restrictions and full terms apply: Offer Terms( www.duolingo.com/terms)

#FOOD: FALL CRAVINGS MENU AT THE DRAKE HOTEL TORONTO

As Toronto settles into fall, The Drake Hotel is leaning into what it does best: bringing people together over good food and great drinks in the centre of West Queen West. With the launch of its new fall menu The Drake is serving up cozy, comforting favourites alongside bold flavours that reflect the city’s diverse culinary landscape.

From hearty, slow-cooked dishes to elevated takes on familiar classics, the new menu is all about the kind of food you crave when the temperatures drop.

The Drake’s New Menu Highlights:
•Slow-Cooked Beef Cheek ($54): A rich, comforting fall favourite served with sofrito, picada, mashed potatoes and red wine jus.
•Spicy Rigatoni ($28): Calabrian chilies, tomato, cream and Parmigiano come together for a little heat on a chilly evening.
•Chicken Parmigiana ($34): A familiar classic with pomodoro, mozzarella and arugula, with the option to add pappardelle al Parmigiano.
•Burrata Toast ($21): A sweet and savoury combination of beets, arugula, white balsamic and hazelnuts on brioche.
•Charred Salmon Filet ($37): Served with parsnip, spinach, crisp chickpeas and Thai coconut curry.
•Ragu Bolognese ($31): Pappardelle tossed with a hearty pork and beef ragu, pancetta and Parmigiano.

Of course, it wouldn’t be The Drake without a little bit of everything. Alongside its new seasonal dishes, guests can still find the hotel’s signature Drake Burger, hand-cut fries, and fresh sushi and handrolls.

At the multi-venue Drake Hotel, there’s always something happening that brings people together to enjoy the dynamic spirit of West Queen West. Whether it’s bold, protein-packed dishes inspired by global flavors or live music and DJ sets that keep the nights lively, The Drake never misses a beat. From morning through sunset, you’re invited to enjoy every bite your way, whether you’re lounging at the Sky Yard or relaxing in the Lounge.

Location: 1150 Queen Street West
Website:TheDrake.ca
Instagram: @thedrake

About Chef Daniel Hyam –Executive Chef, The Drake Hotel:

With over 16 years of experience in high-volume, acclaimed kitchens across North America, Chef Daniel Hyam brings a dynamic blend of creative leadership, culinary innovation, and operational excellence to his role as Executive Chef at The Drake Hotel. A Toronto native and George Brown College alum, Daniel spent nearly a decade honing his craft at the award-winning Nota Beneunder Chef David Lee, progressing from Chef de Partie to Chef de Cuisine. Daniel played a key leadership role in the launch and expansion ofPlanta Restaurants, developing menus, opening concepts, and training teams in Toronto, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. As Executive Chef at Planta HQ, he helped define the group’s modern, globally inspired, plant-based approach. Known for bold flavour profiles, layered spices, and contemporary interpretations of comfort classics, Daniel’s culinary style is globally informed but grounded in approachability and guest connection.

#FOOD: BRENTON MOWFORTH AKA CHEERSTOHAPPYHOUR INTRODUCES BALSAM FIR BITTERS

What began with a few balsam fir clippings and an experiment at home has grown into a distinctly Canadian addition to the cocktail bar scene. Brenton Mowforth, cocktail creator behind CheersToHappyHour, introduces Balsam Fir Bitters, an aromatic bitters expression built around one of the country’s most emblematic botanicals and produced with Toronto’s Nickel 9 Distillery.

The bitters explore a flavour deeply connected to the Canadian landscape, yet still largely underrepresented behind the bar.

The idea first took shape during a particularly meaningful holiday season for Mowforth and his wife. With their daughter on the way, the couple bought a real Christmas tree, embracing the nostalgia and tradition of the season. When the holidays came to an end, Mowforth found himself reluctant to simply throw the tree away. Curious about what could be done with its fragrant balsam fir, he called his friends at Nickel 9 Distillery with an unusual idea: could the tree be distilled into gin?

Before Nickel 9 Distillery came to collect it, Mowforth clipped a few branches and set them aside for an experiment of his own. He packed the balsam fir into a mason jar with juniper, clove, cardamom and cinnamon, then covered the botanicals with high-proof neutral grain spirit. Over several months, the spirit slowly extracted the fir’s resinous, aromatic character. What emerged was earthy, warming and evocative of the Canadian wilderness. It was also the first version of what would become Balsam Fir Bitters.

Mowforth began passing small bottles to bartenders around Toronto. Their response changed the direction of what had started as a personal experiment. He returned to Nickel 9 with the recipe, this time with the beginnings of a product that could bring a distinctly Canadian flavour behind the bar year-round.

Canadian Terroir at Its Core
Balsam fir is unmistakably Canadian. Native to North America, approximately 80% of its modeled distribution falls within Canada, with the species especially abundant throughout the cool forests of Eastern Canada. Its range stretches from Newfoundland and Labrador west to Alberta, making it a botanical deeply connected to the country’s forest landscape.
Aromatic, resinous and fresh, balsam fir brings a true sense of place to the bitters and offers a compelling expression of Canadian terroir through flavour.

Rather than treating balsam fir as a background note, Mowforth places the botanical at the centre of the flavour profile. Layered with juniper, clove, cardamom and cinnamon, the bitters are earthy and aromatic, with fresh forest notes, warming spice and hints of citrus.
Mowforth describes the product as “the essence of the Great White North,” taking a flavour rooted in the Canadian landscape and giving it a new expression behind the bar.

Built for the Bar, Year-Round
Balsam Fir Bitters were developed with versatility in mind. While the evergreen character may feel immediately familiar, its applications extend well beyond the colder months.

The earthy, aromatic profile works particularly well with aged spirits, complementing oak, spice and richer flavours. At the same time, its freshness and subtle citrus notes can add structure and complexity to lighter and fruit-driven cocktails, pairing naturally with ingredients ranging from pineapple and citrus to apple and pear.

That versatility allows balsam fir to move across seasons, bringing depth to stirred, spirit-forward cocktails in colder months while adding an unexpected botanical edge to brighter drinks throughout spring and summer.

For Mowforth, the goal is as much about introducing the ingredient as it is about the finished product. Balsam Fir Bitters invite bartenders and drinkers to experience a familiar Canadian botanical in an entirely different context and explore how it can function within a contemporary beverage program.

What’s Next for Balsam Fir Bitters
Balsam Fir Bitters are currently available for $17.95 at Cocktail Emporium locations and through its e-commerce shop, as well as at Nickel 9 Distillery.

Looking ahead, Mowforth is focused on expanding Balsam Fir Bitters beyond Toronto, with broader Canadian distribution and collaborations with bars and bartenders already being explored.

What began as a small experiment has evolved into a product rooted in Canadian flavour and shaped by the bartending community around it.

As Balsam Fir Bitters reach more bars and shelves, the focus remains the same: giving bartenders a distinctive, versatile ingredient with a strong sense of place and plenty of room for interpretation.

Product Details
Product: Balsam Fir Bitters
Created by: Brenton Mowforth, CheersToHappyHour
Produced with: Nickel 9 Distillery
Flavour Profile: Earthy, aromatic and warm, with fresh forest notes and hints of citrus
Botanicals: Balsam fir, juniper, clove, cardamom and cinnamon
Retail Price: $17.95
ABV: 55% / 100mL / 3.4oz bottle
Available at: Cocktail Emporium stores, Cocktail Emporium online and Nickel 9 Distillery
Link to Purchase: HERE

About Brenton Mowforth / CheersToHappyHour
Brenton Mowforth is the cocktail creator behind CheersToHappyHour and one of Canada’s most recognizable cocktail content creators. Through his work, Mowforth explores cocktail culture, original recipes and collaborations with bartenders and hospitality professionals.

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN PASSES TO A TORONTO ADVANCE SCREENING OF “STREET FIGHTER”

Paramount Pictures Canada x Mr. Will are thrilled to give Toronto Readers a chance to attend a special Advance Screening of STREET FIGHTER on October 14, 2026.

Synopsis: Set in 1993, estranged Street Fighters Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Noah Centineo) are thrown back into combat when the mysterious Chun-Li (Callina Liang) recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament: a brutal clash of fists, fate, and fury. But behind this battle royale lies a deadly conspiracy that forces them to face off against each other and the demons of their past. And if they don’t, it’s GAME OVER!

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK, X or IG, and in the comments, tell us your City. Tag a friend you’re taking as well. Multiple entries permitted. You must be following.

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Paramount Pictures Canada release STREET FIGHTER October 16, 2026.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

#PRODUCTWATCH: NIKON ANNOUNCE NEW Z5IIC

Nikon Canada announced the Z5IIC, a compact, everyday-carry mirrorless camera designed to make the move to full-frame photography feel natural and approachable. Built on the proven performance of the award-winning Z5II, the Z5IIC combines a sleek, flat-top design with intuitive features such as Scene Modes, helping those beginning their photography journey achieve satisfying results without first mastering complex settings. Users can stay present and confidently capture spontaneous everyday moments with rich colour, natural depth and sharp detail, even in low light or motion-filled situations where smartphones may struggle.

The Z5IIC brings the proven performance of the Z5II into a more accessible, screen-centric design. Its 24.5-megapixel full-frame sensor, EXPEED 7 image-processing engine and advanced shooting capabilities deliver the impressive image quality and responsiveness users expect from a more advanced camera. Yet the “C” stands for casual: intuitive controls and automated features help first-time mirrorless users achieve satisfying photos and videos quickly, without first mastering complex camera settings.

The Z5IIC is available in two colours; silver and black.