#FOOD: MOTHER OF ALL TALKS RETURNS TO LYLA FEBRUARY 10, 2026

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.