Panera Bread will open its newest bakery-cafe in downtown Toronto at Yonge and Edward Streets on January 24, 2012.

With its identity rooted in handcrafted, freshly-baked, artisan bread, Panera Bread is committed to providing great tasting, quality food that people can trust.  Highlighted by antibiotic-free chicken, whole grain bread, select organic and all-natural ingredients and a menu with zero grams added trans fat, Panera’s bakery-cafe selection offers flavorful, wholesome offerings.  The menu includes a variety of year-round favorites to complement seasonal items and breads baked fresh daily in each bakery-cafe by skilled bakers.

A Canadian Commitment, A Neighbourhood Approach

The new bakery-cafe in downtown Toronto kicks off a year of growth and expansion in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) with 5 new locations planned for 2012.  These will join the 3 existing Panera cafes in offering a warm and welcoming environment including intimate and comfortable seating areas, a community table and free WiFi Internet access.  Panera’s current locations include Square One in Mississauga, Richmond Hill and Thornhill.

“Panera is thrilled to open our newest bakery-cafe in downtown Toronto,” said Barry Shannon, Panera Bread.  “Our first bakery cafes in Canada, in Mississauga, Richmond Hill and Thornhill, have been incredibly well-received in those communities and we anticipate that this exciting location in the heart of the city will really show Toronto what the Panera brand is all about:  As we continue to grow in the GTA and across Canada, we are committed to creating jobs (40-50 per café) and contributing to the neighbourhoods in which we serve.”

An Active Community Partner

Since Panera Bread was founded, the company and its franchisees have been active community partners.  As part of Panera’s broader national Operation Dough-Nation® program, which was created in 1992 to formalize Panera’s commitment to community involvement, the new downtown location will give back through its local Day-End Dough-Nation™ and Community Breadbox™ programs.

As part of the local Community Breadbox program, all cash donations made by customers in all company-owned bakery-cafes in the GTA, are matched by Panera Bread and distributed to Make-A-Wish.

At the end of each day, Panera Bread also donates all unsold bread and baked goods to local area hunger relief agencies as part of its local Day-End Dough-Nation program.  Collectively, Panera bakery-cafes donated approximately $100 million worth of unsold bread and baked goods in 2010 to help neighbors in need.

Panera Catering

A full catering menu will be offered at the new bakery-cafe. Available for breakfast, lunch and snacks, Panera Catering is ideal for any group from five to five hundred.  Panera Catering emphasizes accuracy and efficiency in delivering the experience of fresh, handcrafted, quality meals to any workplace setting, social event or gathering.  In addition, every bakery-cafe has a dedicated Panera Catering Coordinator on site to manage the entire process, from order to pick up or delivery, to ensure customer satisfaction.

The hours of operation for Panera Bread at 322 Yonge Street are:

Monday -Thursday: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday:  7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday:  8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday:  8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

About Panera Bread

Panera Bread Company owns and franchises 1,493 bakery-cafes as of June 28, 2011 under the Panera Bread®, Saint Louis Bread Co.®, and Paradise Bakery & Café® names. We feature high quality, reasonably priced food in a warm, inviting, and comfortable environment. With our identity rooted in handcrafted, fresh-baked, artisan bread, we are committed to providing great tasting, quality food that people can trust. Nearly all of our bakery-cafes have a menu highlighted by antibiotic-free chicken, whole grain bread, and select organic and all-natural ingredients, with zero grams of artificial trans fat per serving, which provide flavorful, wholesome offerings. Our menu includes a wide variety of year-round favorites complemented by new items introduced seasonally with the goal of creating new standards in everyday food choices. In neighborhoods across the United States and in Ontario, Canada, our customers enjoy our warm and welcoming environment featuring comfortable gathering areas, relaxing decor, and free Internet access. Our bakery-cafes routinely donate bread and baked goods to community organizations in need. Additional information is available on our website, http://www.panerabread.com.

You couldn’t get more character, charisma, and style out of a coffee shop if you tried – Balzac’s Coffee shop is the best place to enjoy an espresso, latte, or whatever you like in the Distillery District.   This place is hip, edgy, and no it’s not a secret anymore.   If you come packed with hunger and excitement also bring your patience cause it took us forever to find a place to sit in this place with the line up constantly growing.   Without a doubt this is the place to be.

This is the third instalment of Balzac’s with the first two successfully situated Stratford Ontario and in Liberty Village.  This passion project of founder Diana Olsen has blossomed and matured into the next big coffee franchise in this caffeine crazed city we live in.   “I found myself very comforted, with a great sense of belonging in the grand cafes of Paris.  The depth of history and culture inspired me to bring these qualities to my cafes in Canada.

Exposed brick decor with a distinct style that is uniquely felt at each Balzac’s location differing slightly from each one you visit.  The Distillery location is no exception, just being there you can feel the admiration from all the patrons who come and go, stay and drink and drink some more.

Some organic hot chocolate to pass the time or to warm up on a winter afternoon?  All signs point to “yes”.

Very vintage style chandelier and some more exposed brick – You’re seeing the staircase to the second floor seating area (which was packed) , just another area for you to enjoy you time at Balzac’s.

Classy establishment – Very well maintained and we would most definitely visit again, and again.

So you have about 2 days left before you shave that ugly mustache but while you stil have the stashe you might as well get a discount for looking ridiculous – Stop by Z-Teca and show off your mustache to get $1 off your gourmet burrito!

Breakout your mustache combs -

Z-Teca Website – CLICK Here to find a location near you – CLICK HERE

Simply put, Spectrum is passionate about healthy fats. Spectrum started over twenty years ago with the purpose of making healthy oils available to the Canadian public. That commitment and vision hasn’t dimmed one bit. Whether artisan olive oils and trans-fat free spreads, or supplements like Flax Oil and other essential lipids, Spectrum committed to bringing you the best there is.

Canadian company Spectrum Naturals would like to show Canadians how a small change in their cooking habits can add new variety of flavours, to liven up everyday meals. When cooking with oil, most Canadians reach for the olive or vegetable oil. Nothing wrong with that, but by reaching for Coconut Oil, Asian Stir-Fry Oil or Walnut Oil next time, dinners can offer a whole new level of taste.

Our friends at Spectrum have provided us with a detailed guide to some unique oils that will add a new flavour dimention to your recipes.  Check out the suggested recipes in the chart below and consider adding a new flavour to your dinner tonight.

A Culinary Guide to Unique Cooking Oils from Spectrum NaturalsÒOrganic Oils



For more details visit the Spectrum website for more information including more recipes!

SPECTRUM – The Taste of Goodness – CLICK HERE

The Toronto Underground Market (TUM) is a social food market for the community to sample the food of Toronto home cooks. It is a venue for budding entrepreneurs to showcase their products. These vendors are not necessarily chefs, although some will be. This is a new kind of community market; not a farmer’s market, or a food festival, but something completely unique and new to Toronto.

The driving force behind the TUM is my sheer amazement at the wealth of delicious, professional quality food being made in home kitchens. The TUM will provide an opportunity to let the broader community taste this delicious food that would otherwise only be consumed by friends and family.

2011 Events

All TUM events will take place in the Holcim Gallery at the Evergreen Brick Works.

October

Date: Saturday October 22, 2011
Time: 6 – 11 pm

Date: Sunday October 23, 2011
Canzine/MiniTUM
Time: 1 – 7 pm
Event Details

November

Date: Saturday November 19, 2011
Time: 6 – 11 pm

There will be NO market in December but we will have more dates to come in 2012!

Tickets

Tickets to come eat, drink and enjoy at the Toronto Underground Market are $5. All of the TUM events will be at the Evergreen Brick Works. We are so thrilled about our venue we are donating 5% of our proceeds back into the charity.

Please note this is a 19+ event so please leave all children, babies & toddlers at home. This is a great excuse to book a babysitter & have an enjoyable date night! Tickets are sold out but we will be selling limited tickets at the door at 8:30pm on the evening of Sat. October 22nd.

Location

Evergreen Brick Works

Reunion Island Coffee is pleased to announce the return of their signature limited-edition Holiday Blend and their support of Coffee Kids during the festive season.

Reunion Island’s annual Holiday Blend program demonstrates their long-standing commitment to sustainability. The coffee, a yearly favourite, features 100% organic and Rainforest Alliance® certified beans, harvested from farms that carefully adhere to strict rules on environment protection and biodiversity.

In keeping with their holiday tradition, Reunion Island will donate $0.25 per lb of Holiday Blend sold to Coffee Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping coffee-producing families thrive in socially sustainable communities.

Coffee Kids’ staff works with local organizations in Latin America to create education, health care, micro-credit, and community-based programs for coffee farmers and their families. These efforts allow coffee farmers to reduce their dependence on the volatile coffee market and to confront the most pressing community needs. Their projects respect the cultural integrity of their local partners while fostering independence and promoting long-term self-sufficiency.

“We’re happy to support the wonderful work that Coffee Kids does in coffee communities,” says Adam Pesce, Reunion Island’s Director of Coffee Development. “We’re very proud of the fact that the coffee our customers will be enjoying throughout the holiday season will also be helping families around the world.”

Holiday Blend is roasted to a medium profile to highlight the coffee’s buttery body and toasted almond undertones. This roast profile fully develops the inherent flavours in these carefully cultivated coffees, without adding the burnt aftertaste often associated with overly dark roasts.

Reunion Island’s Holiday Blend is available while supplies last in single-cup coffee pods, portion packages and whole bean.

For more information about Reunion Island, their products and sustainability programs, please visit ReunionIslandCoffee.com

MEGA LOCATION, MEGA HOLIDAY SELECTION, 3-DAYS!

THE LAST EVENT WAS SO SUCCESSFUL, THEY’VE DECIDED TO HAVE ANOTHER BIGGER, BETTER ONE – THIS TIME WITH THE HOLIDAYS IN MIND!

The Kitchen Stuff Plus warehouse sale has been growing, and this one is sure to be the biggest yet! With the holidays just around the corner, now is the perfect opportunity to get started on your shopping and you won’t want to miss the amazing savings on top brand name items of up to 90% off!

The Kitchen Stuff Plus team has been busy for weeks pulling together our largest assortment of Christmas items, kitchen stuff, furniture, cookware, dinnerware, linens, samples and scratch and dent items – all at closeout prices!

Get here early.

You don’t want to miss the amazing deals! 3 days only!

Date: Friday November 4, Saturday November 5 & Sunday November 6, 2011

Time: Friday 5:00 – 10:00 pm , Saturday & Sunday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Location: 135 Wendell Avenue (located near Highway 401 and Jane Street)

Get Directions from Google Maps | Limited parking available.

Drive: Exit 401 at Weston, access Wendell from Wilson

TTC:

From Wilson Subway Station:
Take the 96B WILSON towards Humberline & Albion. Arrive at Wilson Avenue At Edgar Avenue. Heading West on Wilson Ave, turn left at WENDELL AVE, and continue walking south towards Warehouse Sale. Total walking time: 3 minutes.

From York Mills Subway Station:
Take the 165 WESTON RD NORTH towards STEELES. Arrive at Wilson Avenue At Edgar Avenue. Heading West on Wilson Ave, turn left at WENDELL AVE, and continue walking south towards Warehouse Sale. Total walking time: 3 minutes.

HUGE ASSORTMENT OF GREAT BRANDS!

Truckloads of product will be available at up to 90% off! You’ll find amazing closeout deals on products not currently available in any of our stores, from top brand names like Henckels, Sunbeam, KitchenAid, Cuisinart, Oster, Farberware, Wiltshire, Starfrit, Umbra, Paderno and many more.

If you haven’t been to one of Kitchen Stuff Plus Warehouse Sales, make sure you attend this one early. Quantities are limited and our best deals come and go quickly! You’ll also find our very best bargains and a mega selection of scratch & dent items* priced to clear at up to 90% off.

Some of the great deals you’ll find include:

• Huge selection of last season Christmas and holiday stuff, up to 75% off
• Tons of Samples and one-of-a kind items (get here early for the best selection of samples!)
• Dinnerware sets at up to 75% off
• Open stock cookware pieces from incomplete sets from top brands, from up to 75% off
• Open stock flatware from $1.00
• Deep clearance prices on summer items and end-of lines
• Photo frames from $2.00
• Linens and table textiles, at unbelievable prices
• Brand new, samples and scratch & dent Furniture at closeout prices
• And much more!

These items are exclusive to the Kitchen Stuff Plus warehouse sale, and are on a first-come, first-enjoy basis!

Made fresh daily soup at Z-Teca!  Try the new Sweet Potato and Chipotle soup for only $2.95 or for only $2 with the purchase of a burrito!

Find the nearest Z-Teca near you quick – Not just burritos!

Z-Teca Menu — CLICK HERE

Visit the Z-Teca Home Page  to find the location nearest you!

Pumpkins should be available all year round and not just for Halloween because they’re perfect for snacks, soups and so much more.

This baked pumpkin seed recipe comes from our friends at Home Made Simple and believe us, it’s that simple so enjoy this autumn season with some seasonal flavour.

INGREDIENTS

296 g (2 cups) pumpkin seeds

30 mL (2 tablespoons) light cooking oil (vegetable, peanut, or other)

5 mL (1 teaspoon) cayenne, garlic powder, cumin, curry, or any favourite—add more or less to taste

5 mL (1 teaspoon) salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 177° C (350° F).
2. Remove seeds from pumpkin and rinse with water to remove any remaining pulp. Dry seeds between two paper towels.
3. Mix oil with spices and/or salt, and toss mixture with seeds.
4. Spread seeds over a baking sheet. Bake seeds approximately 30 minutes or until crisp and very lightly browned, tossing occasionally.