On Saturday 25^th July in New Orleans, the United States claimed victory, represented by François Behuet (chocolate candidate), Jordan Snider (sugar candidate) and Nicholas Forte (ice candidate), bringing the Pastry World Cup Americas 2026 to a close.

Mexico took second place and Paraguay completed the podium in third. These three teams, along with Argentina (4ᵗʰ), secured their places for the Grand Finale of the Pastry World Cup, in January 2027 during Sirha Lyon.

The 7 teams from across the continent (Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and the United States), each made up of a sugar expert, a chocolatier and an ice specialist, competed intensely for 5 hours and 30 minutes. All shared the same goal: to succeed Argentina, crowned at the previous continental selection.

On a free theme, the teams had to produce 32 tasting desserts, 3 artistic showpieces and a buffet: 10 individual pecan pies, 10 frozen plated desserts, 12 chocolate-based sweet creations, as well as three artistic showpieces in sugar, chocolate and sculpted water ice.

True to the spirit of the competition, one of the tests paid tribute to the heritage of the host country: the pecan pie, a great classic of American pastry, which the candidates had to reinvent in their own way. The chocolate test drew on the codes of street food, with 12 sweet creations in finger-food format, finished live in front of the jury and staged in an immersive setting.

"The Americas Selection was an outstanding experience, and it was a privilege to be its Honorary President. The seven teams presented delicate, refined and singular creations. Throughout the competition, each found its rhythm and its own path to the finish", explains Osvaldo Gross, Honorary President of the Pastry World Cup Americas 2026.

"We had a very solid game plan and we are delighted to have carried it out successfully. It was a real pleasure to compete alongside all the candidates, and we wish them all the very best for the rest of the competition", comments Jordan Snider, winner of the Pastry World Cup Americas 2026.

DISCOVER THE RESULTS OF THE PASTRY WORLD CUP AMERICAS 2026

The 2026 season continues with the Africa and Middle East continental selections. The 20 teams selected during these qualifiers will then meet for the Grand Finale of the Pastry World Cup in January 2027, during Sirha Lyon.

Vancouver, B.C., July 27, 2026 – Get ready to pull up a chair. On August 4, 2026, hospitality veterans and brothers Justin and Cristian Isidro are officially opening the doors to Maria Celeste, their long-dreamed tribute to Portugal’s cherished tascas. Named for their mãe (mother in Portuguese), the intimate 36-seat restaurant at 4181 Fraser Street will welcome its first guests during a limited soft opening the week prior. Reservations can now be made online.

Maria Celeste unites the brothers’ hospitality careers under one roof, each drawing on years spent in some of Vancouver’s (and Europe’s) most acclaimed rooms. Justin, formerly longtime director of operations at Michelin-starred Kissa Tanto, Meo, and Bao Bei, and founder of Vìnicola Portugal, leads the front-of-house, while Cristian (previously Kissa Tanto, Lisboeta in London, and Cozinha das Flores in Porto) helms the kitchen.

“Growing up in Portugal, tascas were where everyone ended up on any given day because they were all about welcoming the whole community,” says Justin. “That's the feeling we want the moment people walk through our doors – there's always a seat for you at our table. It's been a long road to get here, and we can't wait to finally share this room with our friends, family, and guests."

True to the tasca spirit, the food menu is built for the whole table and to-be-shared. À la carte options include Cristian’s Pratos, which pay heartfelt homage to Portugal through British Columbia’s seasonal ingredients, with signatures including: Rissois de Camarão, featuring crisp golden half-moons of sweet shrimp folded through cream with a touch of lemon; Bacalhau à Brás, shredded salt cod, egg, and straw potatoes; and Arroz de Marisco, Portuguese seafood rice with prawns, mussels, and clams.

Larger plates, or Da Terra, feature dishes such as a the surf and turf Pluma de Porco Iberico, Algarve’'s famous marriage of pork from the Alentejo with fresh clams; and Bife a Portuguesa, highlighting Carrara Wagyu paired with Lisbon-style cafe sauce of cream, butter, and mustard.

Guests also have the option of experiencing Maria Celeste’s Come e Cala-techef’s menu, where the kitchen takes the reins and brings dishes out for the table – built around what’s freshest, what’s in season, and what the kitchen is most proud of.

“Everything on this menu starts with memories of the way our mãe cooked and the way Portugal eats,” explains Cristian. “We take those traditions and let British Columbia's ingredients speak through them. We are cooking simply and generously – letting nothing go to waste. When a plate lands on the table, I want it to taste like you are in Portugal.”

Justin’s all-Portuguese wine list travels the country glass by glass, from Espumante through to Vinho Branco, Vinho Tinto, and Vinho Fortificado. It moves from the structured reds of the Alentejo to the freshness of Vinho Verde and the elegance of the Bairrada. Guided by the philosophy of “vou para a terra” (a deep respect for place), wine the program celebrates historic producers and small-scale growers alike, and lends its name to the list’s own Vou Pra Terra section.

Maria Celeste’s 1,300-square-foot room is designed by Studio Roslyn, together with Justin and Cristian. The contractors that made the space into a reality was built by Belcarra. As previously described, the space features warm wood, aged materials, and nostalgic touches – reflecting the essence of the traditional tasca: honest, familiar, and unadorned, where atmosphere is felt and enjoyed.

Maria Celeste officially opens on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Soft opening begins July 29, 2026. At launch, Maria Celeste will be open Tuesday to Sunday, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.  Reservations recommended. Walk-ins welcome. To stay up-to-date, please visit mariaceleste.ca

Milan, 27 July 2026 – HostMilano, the world’s leading exhibition for hospitality, foodservice and food retailcontinues to strengthen its international presence through strategic partnerships with leading industry organizations. Following the successful debut of Host Arabia in the Gulf region last December, Fiera Milano is now bringing the Host brand to North America through a partnership with NAFEM (North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers), one of the sector's most influential associations.

The collaboration gives rise to Host America, a new platform designed to connect international companies with the world's largest professional hospitality market. The event will take place in Orlando, Florida, from 11 to 13 February 2027, at The NAFEM Show—North America's premier trade events for foodservice equipment. By combining the international reach of the Host brand with NAFEM's deep roots in the U.S. market, the partnership creates new business opportunities and offers exhibitors direct access to a highly qualified audience of buyers and industry professionals.

The United States: The World's Most Dynamic Market

The United States continues to confirm its position as the world's most attractive market for the sector. According to exclusive ExportPlanning analyses conducted for the Host Milano Observatory, U.S. imports across Host's core sectors increased from €22.5 billion in 2019 to €24.8 billion in 2025 and are forecast to approach €27 billion by 2029. Growth is being driven primarily by demand for professional equipment for gelato, coffee and bakery applications.

Within this landscape, Italy occupies a position of outstanding importance. ExportPlanning estimates that Italy is now the United States' seventh-largest global supplier and the largest supplier within the European Union. Italian exports to the U.S. rose from €395 million in 2019 to €689 million in 2025, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7%. Italy's strongest market penetration is in bakery and pastry equipment, where it accounts for 28% of U.S. import demand. Even more remarkable is the performance of gelato equipment and refrigeration technologies: between 2019 and 2025, Italian exports quadrupled from €71 million to €286 million, achieving an average annual growth rate of 26.1%—more than twice the already robust pace of overall market growth.

Host America: Showcasing the Industries Driving Growth

Host America will spotlight the sectors in which Made in Italy represents the highest standards of technological excellence and innovation: Coffee equipment and vending technologies, Gelato equipment and refrigeration, Furniture, tableware and hospitality design, Bakery and pastry equipment. These four product sectors represent key pillars of the professional hospitality industry and are currently benefiting from sustained structural growth in the U.S. market.

With Host Arabia and Host America, Fiera Milano has launched a strategic international expansion of the Host brand into the world's highest-potential markets. Together with Milan, Riyadh and Orlando create a complementary network of international events that leverages the unique opportunities offered by each regional market while further strengthening HostMilano's position as the world's leading trade show for professional hospitality, foodservice and food retail.

Host America will take place in Orlando, Florida, from 11 to 13 February 2027, at The NAFEM Show.

The 44th edition of Host Milano will be held at Fiera Milano from 22 to 26 October 2027.

For the latest updates, visit host.fieramilano.it or follow @HostMilano.

MONCTON, New Brunswick, July 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Denny’s Canada is continuing its growth across Eastern Canada with the recent opening of a new diner in Moncton, New Brunswick, this July. Located at 70 Queensway Drive, just off the Trans-Canada Highway, the new diner marks the brand’s second location in New Brunswick and its first in the city of Moncton.

Owned and operated by Fens Market Group under the leadership of owner Dwight Fraser, the Moncton diner represents the franchisee’s second Denny’s location in the province, building on the success of its Lake George diner and further strengthening Denny’s presence in Atlantic Canada.

Known as Canada’s Modern Diner, Denny’s Moncton will offer guests the brand’s signature “Familiar Made Fresh” experience, where fresh ingredients meet a classic diner feel. The diner will serve all-day breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night favourites seven days a week, with operating hours extending until 11 pm. Guest favourites include the iconic Original Grand Slam that includes two buttermilk pancakes, crispy bacon, sausage links, and freshly cooked eggs, alongside the All-Canadian Slam, a hearty nod to Canadian flavour featuring peameal bacon and classic morning staples.

“Moncton is one of Atlantic Canada’s fastest growing and most vibrant communities, making it an exciting location for our continued expansion,” said Ron Cecillon, President and Chief Operating Officer, Denny’s Canada, Bar One and UK & Ireland Restaurant Group. “We are thrilled to bring the Denny’s brand to Moncton and provide local residents and visitors with a welcoming place to enjoy great food, exceptional value and memorable dining experiences. This opening reflects our ongoing commitment to growing across New Brunswick and Eastern Canada.”

As a major hub for business, tourism and transportation in New Brunswick, Moncton offers an ideal location for Denny’s newest diner. Conveniently situated just off the Trans-Canada Highway, the diner is well-positioned to serve local residents, travellers and families alike.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Fens Market Group as they expand their presence in New Brunswick,” said Juan J. Lopez, Franchise Business Development Manager for Eastern Canada. “The opening of Denny’s Moncton demonstrates the strength of the brand and the growing demand for high-quality dining options throughout the region. We look forward to welcoming guests through our doors and becoming part of the Moncton community.”

In addition to its extensive menu and all-day breakfast offerings, the Moncton diner will participate in Denny's Canada’s ongoing guest-favourite weekly dinner promotions, including Kids Eat Free Tuesdays and Sundays, Family Night Wednesdays and 55+ Thursdays. These offers reflect Denny's continued commitment to delivering great value for families and communities across Canada. For more details on these offers, please visit: dennys.ca.