Assiniboine College is launching a new Food Services Management diploma program, beginning in September 2026 to prepare students for leadership roles in large-scale institutional food service settings, like hospitals, schools and correctional facilities. “This program is a game-changer for the food services industry,” said Karen O’Gilvie, Chairperson of the Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts. “We’ve built a curriculum that blends leadership, legislation, and logistics with a deep commitment to client care and satisfaction. Our graduates will be equipped to manage complex food systems in a variety of settings with confidence and compassion.” The program blends operational planning, regulatory knowledge, and client-focused service delivery with a strong emphasis on leadership development. Students will graduate equipped with the skills and confidence to manage complex operations and lead teams in a growing essential industry. “Assiniboine is committed to developing programs that respond to real-world needs,” said Dr. Deanna Rexe, Vice President Academic. “This new offering reflects our dedication to applied learning and workforce readiness. Students will graduate with the skills and knowledge to lead in high-demand sectors and make meaningful contributions to their communities.” Students will learn to design and implement menus that meet diverse dietary and cultural needs, manage staff and budgets, ensure compliance with food safety legislation, and deliver high-quality service that aligns with organizational goals. The program also focuses on cultivating leadership competencies, such as strategic thinking, team building, and ethical decision-making, all of which are essential for success in today’s service-driven environments. “Assiniboine’s new program is a direct investment in student success,” said Renée Cable, Minister of Advanced Education and Training. “Graduates will leave with the practical skills and leadership training needed to step confidently into high-demand roles. This kind of targeted education ensures students are not just job-ready—they’re career-ready.” For more information or to apply, visit assiniboine.net/programs/food-services-management.

A popular Brandon restaurant is turning heads — and filling stomachs — with its latest creation, a towering, meat-loaded pizza aptly named “The Beast.” The new menu item at Kongo's, features a hearty combination of double pepperoni, double salami, double ham, loads of cheese, and an overflowing layer of crispy bacon. The result is a bold, flavor-packed pizza designed for those who love their pies piled high. Owner Darcy Willey said the inspiration came from one of his longtime favorites: a legendary pizza once served at the former Vern’s Pizza in Brandon. Wanting to bring that nostalgic experience back to the community — but with his own twist — Willey crafted The Beast to deliver the same unforgettable punch that Vern’s fans still talk about. While The Beast is already generating buzz, it’s far from the only thing drawing customers through the doors. The restaurant also offers a wide selection of appetizers, pastas, and subs, making it a go-to spot for groups and families looking for variety. View menu here. Located inside NeXgen (1608 Park Ave) the restaurant continues to build a reputation for generous portions, friendly service, and a willingness to experiment with bold new menu ideas. zFor hours of operation, please click here. With The Beast now officially on the menu, Brandon pizza lovers have a new challenge — and a delicious one at that.

Westman Communications Group (WCG) has officially launched WCG Connect TV, a new television service powered by WCG fibre-based Internet that delivers reliability, choice and modern features to households across Manitoba. With WCG Connect TV, customers can access thousands of shows, movies, sports, and apps, searching and filtering with ease to find their favourite programs. “WCG Connect TV is more than just television; it’s an entirely new way to consume content,” said Derek Radics, Senior Director of Sales and Market Development. “From sports fans to families, this product is designed to make TV and consuming content simple, reliable, and built around our members’ lifestyles.” Backed by WCG’s fibre-based network, Connect TV provides customers with reliable streaming for all of their favourite programs, from live sports to the latest movies. The service also offers advanced features designed to provide a better viewing experience for the digital age. *Multiview allows Connect TV customers to watch up to four channels at once - perfect for catching multiple sports games being played simultaneously and for households that might not always agree on what to watch. *Connect TV nDVR gives viewers the power to save shows to the cloud, view and manage saved shows, and watch them on their schedule. Up to six programs can be recorded simultaneously, and customers can choose to record single episodes or full series. *Smart Search features and filters make it easy for customers to filter through the guide for the content they care about, or to find specific shows, movies, and sports. With features like personalized profiles for different users and voice- powered search, it’s never been easier for our customers to customize their experience and find the shows that they care about. Along with a wide range of channels and user-friendly tools, WCG Connect TV was designed to be as easy to use as possible, with features such as voice search. Customers can enjoy the content they want, how they want to, all with the reliability they’ve come to expect from WCG. WCG Connect TV is now available. For more information on features, packages, and how to get connected, visit westmancom.com/tv/wcg-connect-tv.

Photo: Assiniboine College Facebook Assiniboine Community College culinary students Alicia Decosse and Presley Kuharski have cooked their way to national recognition, winning gold at the 2025 Cooks the Books Student Cooking Competition held in Toronto earlier this month. Representing ACC’s Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts, the talented duo competed against teams from culinary schools across the country in a challenge designed to test creativity, skill, and teamwork under pressure. Hosted by Taste Canada, the annual competition celebrates the next generation of chefs by pairing students with award-winning Canadian cookbooks for inspiration. Decosse and Kuharski impressed judges with their technique and presentation, earning the top prize and a $3,000 bursary. The competition drew participants from several post-secondary culinary programs nationwide, making the win a significant accomplishment for both the students and their college. Held at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York, the 2025 edition of Cooks the Books was part of Taste Canada’s annual awards celebration, which honours excellence in Canadian food writing and culinary innovation. Their gold-medal performance continues to elevate ACC’s reputation as one of Canada’s top destinations for aspiring chefs. The Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts has consistently produced standout graduates, and this national victory adds to the program’s growing list of accolades.

The Manitoba government is investing an additional $1 million in the Park Community Centre in Brandon, enabling the city to issue a request for proposal (RFP) and accelerate the revitalization of the Park Community Centre and non-profit child-care facility in downtown Brandon, Premier Wab Kinew and Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard announced here today. “This investment in the Park Community Centre is about making life easier for working families in Brandon,” said Kinew. “It means more access to affordable, quality child care right in the heart of downtown and a revitalized space where people can come together for recreation, culture and community.” “We committed to completing the Park Community Centre, an important resource for the people of Brandon, and the province stepped up,” said Simard. “Brandon families deserve affordable child care in a safe and inclusive space that offers uplifting programs and services for the whole family.” A key component of the redevelopment of the Park Community Centre will be a licensed, non-profit child-care facility, ensuring more families in Brandon have access to affordable, high-quality care close to home. “This funding is a win for Brandon. It means we can get shovels in the ground and start turning the Park Community Centre into something really useful for families,” said Mayor Jeff Fawcett, City of Brandon. “With the YMCA stepping in to run the new child-care facility, we’re making sure parents have more options where they live and work. It’s practical, it’s local and it’s going to make a real difference.” The neighbouring YMCA of Brandon, which recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to provide care and operate the new 68-space facility, will manage the child-care centre. “The Park Community Centre has been a longtime hub of concerts and community gatherings in Brandon,” said Ken Friedrich, president, Park Community Centre. “With the Manitoba government’s generous financial contribution and the addition of the child care centre our community and city will thrive for generations to come.” This project reflects the Manitoba government’s commitment to expanding child care access through community partnerships and support for local, non-profit operators, Kinew noted.