TORONTO, Oct. 20, 2026 /CNW/ -- Imagine sipping a multi-thousand-dollar bottle of the world's finest wine, personally sourced from the world's most prestigious auctions, without ever seeing it appear on your hotel bill. Beginning October 20, Kat Florence Hotels will introduce the country's most extraordinary complimentary wine experiences, welcoming up to six staying guests at a time to discover ultra-rare, 100-point auction wines that range up to $20,000 per bottle, entirely compliments of the house of Kat Florence.

The intimate tastings, held every Tuesday and Thursday at 5 p.m., will feature these exclusively auction-grade wines awarded a perfect score (of the many millions of wines in the world only 0.1- 0.3% will ever achieve this prestigious judges' ranking). Each star Sommelier-led experience will welcome no more than six staying guests, on a first-booked first-access basis, offering an exceptionally rare opportunity to experience some of the world's most coveted bottles in a private, unhurried setting. The experience is offered as an entirely gifted privilege to eligible guests of Kat Florence Hotel, where extraordinary hospitality has become as much a signature as the world-record-breaking gemstones of its founder, internationally celebrated artist Kat Florence.

"Some of my most memorable evenings have been spent around a table with a remarkable bottle and the people I love" describes Florence. "I wanted to create a space where my guests could have that same experience. Elizabeth, my personal sommelier, pours for them just as she pours for me: something extraordinary, along with its story, in an intimate room. It is included in every stay, because the finest things in life are meant to be shared."
Leading the experience is Elizabeth Davies, Kat Florence's personal Sommelier and rare wine hunter, whose expertise in sourcing exceptional bottles from the world's best auctions brings a new dimension to the hotel's celebrated guest experiences.

With more than 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Davies has built her career around the discovery, curation and appreciation of extraordinary, rare wines. A Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, Davies curates Kat's elite cellar collection, is a contributor to the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers' certification curriculum, teaches professional wine education at George Brown and more. Her widely known expertise has been featured on Breakfast Television, CHCH, The SOMM Journal, House & Home and many others.

"It's both an honour and a wild adventure to have what can only be described as the greatest sommelier position on Earth," says Davies. "As Kat Florence's personal sommelier, my role is much like that of her in-house gem hunter, but instead of rare gemstones, I'm searching the world for extraordinary, ultra-rare, and 100-point wines. I get to hunt down bottles that most sommeliers and wine lovers only dream of experiencing. What makes this opportunity even more remarkable is that Kat doesn't simply collect these treasures; she shares them with her guests, giving us the extraordinary privilege of experiencing and appreciating their greatness together."

The gifted, 5 p.m. elite wine tastings have been thoughtfully timed by Kat Florence to precede another famously signature house experience: the elaborate, multi-course celebrity Chef tasting dinners included with every night of every guest's stay.

Joining the hotel's esteemed fleet of star chefs this month is Chef Shai-Ann Tyson, winner of the 2023 Garland Canada Culinary Competition (where she became the first woman of colour to claim the title), top finalist of Top Chef Canada Season 12, and Canadian regional finalist for the 2026– 2027 S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition. Her achievements also include competing in the Bocuse d'Or Canada National Selection, and contributing to the Bocuse d'Or Team Canada Research & Development group.

Tyson joins a distinguished culinary collection that includes internationally acclaimed chefs Anthony Bish, Marc Collyer, Dale Mackay and Neill Anthony, whose careers have taken them into Michelin-starred kitchens, royal family households and the private dining rooms of some of the world's richest and most celebrated figures.

Unlike traditional luxury hotel dining, every stay at Kat Florence Hotel includes an opulent tasting dinner prepared by one of its rotating celebrity chefs, with the identity of the evening's chef and the menu itself part of the surprise. The addition of Tyson introduces a fresh creative perspective to this already exceptional culinary offering, where each evening promises an experience that cannot simply be ordered from a menu.

The new wine and culinary experiences continue Kat Florence's distinctive approach to hospitality, where rare artistry, highly personalized service and extraordinary generosity come together in an intimate historic setting in Elora, Ontario. From museum-worthy, multimillion- dollar gemstones displayed within the hotel's original 1848 limestone walls to nightly celebrity chef dinners and now access to some of the world's most valuable wines, the experience is designed around moments that few travellers will ever encounter.

Adding to the magic of the season, the Elora Christmas Market, presented by Kat Florence, returns November 14 through Christmas Day, once again transforming the historic village into one of the country's most popular festive holiday destinations. The artisanal, European chalet market and it's 100,000+ spectacular lights will welcome visitors Wednesday through Sunday, from noon to 8 p.m., offering another reason to discover Elora during one of its most enchanting times of year.

Oshkosh, Wis. – Oct. 19, 2026 – Continental Laundry Solutions (Continental) recently welcomed Shelley Krocka-Jourdan as procurement manager. She brings 7 years of purchasing experience to the company.

“We are happy to welcome Shelley to our Continental team and look forward to her many contributions as our company grows and expands,” said President Mike Floyd.

In her new role as procurement manager, Krocka-Jourdan handles equipment and parts inventory strategy, sourcing and fulfillment performance for Continental’s commercial and industrial equipment across North America. She also works to ensure accurate parts data and optimized inventory levels along with strong supplier partnerships.

Krocka-Jourdan holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from UW-Stevens Point.

“Everyone at Continental works together as a team,” said Krocka-Jourdan. “Most people here have tenure behind them, which illustrates that Continental is a strong company and values its people.”

To learn more about Continental’s products, services or career opportunities, visit www.continental-laundry.com or call 800-256-1073.

MISSISSAUGA, ON — October 14, 2026 — ORHMA and Picsume today announced the launch of Hospitality Connect, Ontario's first dedicated hospitality job network, now live at hospitalityconnect.ca. The network is free for job seekers to browse and apply, and free for employers to post — no subscription, no sign-up fees.

Hospitality Connect pulls job postings directly from employer career pages and applicant tracking systems across Ontario — hotels, restaurants, resorts, and more — so every listing on the network reflects a real, current opening pulled straight from its source. No duplicates, no outdated postings, no jobs that lead nowhere. For employers who don't use an ATS or career page, posting directly to the network takes just a few simple steps.

Unlike a traditional job board, Hospitality Connect isn't built around a single click and a resume sent into the void. Job seekers create one profile that shows their skills, certifications like Smart Serve, experience, and availability. They can upload a resume, import from LinkedIn, or fill it in on their phone — no resume required. They keep that profile, update it as their career grows, reuse it for their next application without starting over, and can see where each application stands. Employers get structured profiles instead of a stack of PDFs, so they can quickly see who has the certifications, experience, and availability a role needs. And because the network is backed by the association that represents Ontario's hospitality industry, the people on it are there because they want to work in hospitality. They aren't strangers scrolling a general job board.

"Hospitality Connect is what our members and the broader industry have been asking for," said Fatima Finnegan, VP of Workforce Initiatives & Industry Relations, ORHMA. "A dedicated place for hospitality work in Ontario — not a generic job board, but something built for this industry and the people in it."

"Hiring in hospitality used to run on relationships. You knew the people in your industry, and they knew you. Job boards traded that for volume, and now employers sort through hundreds of strangers while good people get lost in the pile. Hospitality Connect gives the industry a home of its own again. Every job comes straight from the source, every job seeker brings a profile that shows what they can actually do, and everyone here chose hospitality," said Jordan Goure, President & CEO, Picsume.
Hospitality Connect was developed in partnership with ORHMA and the Ontario Hostelry Institute (OHI), and shaped by direct input from Ontario hospitality employers and post-secondary educators through two structured focus groups and a student outreach survey. The network is designed to serve the full Ontario hospitality workforce — from students entering the industry for the first time to experienced professionals looking for their next opportunity.

Job seekers and employers can browse and post jobs for free at hospitalityconnect.ca.

To learn more about Picsume's hiring platform and workspace tools, visit picsume.ca.

TORONTO, ON (October 6, 2026) — Park Hyatt Toronto has been named amongst the top five hotels in Eastern Canada in Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious Readers’ Choice Awards, a recognition determined by the publication’s discerning global readership.

Ranked No. 4, the honour adds to the accolades earned by this iconic Yorkville property, which has been recognized in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards for several consecutive years. The MICHELIN Key and AAA Four Diamond property continues to set the standard for luxury hospitality in Canada, combining contemporary Canadian design, exceptional dining and highly personalized service in the heart of Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood. Guests are steps from luxury boutiques, galleries and restaurants, as well as major cultural institutions such as the Royal Ontario Museum and the Gardiner Museum.

“We’re incredibly proud of this recognition, but what makes it especially meaningful is that it comes from the people who choose to stay with us,” said Eduardo Bressane, General Manager, Park Hyatt Toronto. “There is no better affirmation of what we do than having guests return, recommend us and take the time to say that Park Hyatt Toronto is among their favourite hotels. We’re grateful to everyone who has chosen to stay with us and to our team, whose passion and care make those experiences possible.”

Originally opened in 1936, Park Hyatt Toronto is a landmark in the heart of Yorkville, with a history that is deeply intertwined with the city’s cultural and social life. Following an extensive four-year transformation, the hotel reopened in 2021, pairing its storied heritage with contemporary design and a renewed approach to luxury hospitality.

The hotel features 219 guestrooms, including 40 suites, designed to feel more residential than traditional hotel rooms. Warm woods, sophisticated furnishings and generous marble bathrooms create a refined, comfortable setting, while many rooms and suites offer expansive views across Yorkville and the Toronto skyline.

The hotel’s design takes inspiration from Canada’s landscapes, seasons and cultural heritage, with an extensive permanent art collection that celebrates the country’s creative talent and further connects the property to Toronto’s vibrant arts community.

At the centre of the hotel’s culinary offering is Joni, its signature restaurant led by Executive Chef Jonathan Williams. Joni takes a contemporary approach to Canadian cuisine, showcasing seasonal ingredients and the diversity of Toronto’s food culture in an elegant but approachable setting.

Joni is also home to Park Hyatt Toronto’s Global Chef Series, bringing acclaimed chefs from around the world to Toronto for limited-time culinary collaborations. On October 23 and 24, Joni will welcome Brazilian chef and sushiman André “Matsumoto” Saburo, whose accolades include Chef of the Year by VEJA Comer & Beber and Sushiman of the Year by Prazeres da Mesa. His Recife restaurant has also been recognized as one of Brazil’s leading Japanese restaurants.

On the hotel’s 17th floor, Writers Room Bar draws inspiration from Toronto’s celebrated literary history. The space pays homage to the writers and cultural figures who have gathered in the Writers Room over the decades, while its floor-to-ceiling windows offer sweeping views of Toronto. Writers Room is also home to the Writers Room Series, an intimate ‘literary salon’ where authors like Marissa Stapley (Lucky), Randy Boyagoda (Lords of Serendipity) and Shari Lapena (The Couple Next Door) discuss their latest works in conversation with journalist Shinan Govani.

For wellness, Stillwater Spa offers a tranquil retreat in the heart of Yorkville, with 11 treatment rooms, two couples’ suites, a manicure and pedicure bar, sauna and steam facilities. Its treatments draw inspiration from Canada’s natural landscapes and changing seasons, offering guests a restorative counterpoint to the pace of the city.