A Double-Double™ and a Boston Cream donut were Canada's favourite Tim Hortons go-tos of 2020. But while the top coffee orders of 2020 were consistent across the country, the top Tim Hortons donuts of the year differed depending on where you are in Canada. The Apple Fritter was the top Tim Hortons donut in Ontario, the western provinces and the territories in 2020, while the Honey Cruller was No. 1 in Quebec. The Boston Cream was the top Tim Hortons donut across the Atlantic provinces. But it also ranked a very close second in the rest of the country — which pushed it into the top slot as Canada's top Tim Hortons donut overall. "Boston Cream donuts are a classic and I'm not surprised it was Canadian Tim Hortons guests choice this year," says Tallis Voakes, the new Culinary Lead for Tim Hortons who is overseeing quality improvement across the menu in 2021. "It's a filled, soft, yeast donut and has delicious chocolate and creamy vanilla flavours. The concept for the donut comes from a Boston Cream Pie recipe that's over 100 years old — it's so cool to me to see how dishes evolve over time." But for Voakes — whose culinary background includes training at Le Cordon Bleu in Ottawa, working for some of the world's top chefs, and even cooking for the Queen — there's another Tim Hortons donut that can't be beat. "I agree with my friends in Quebec, the Honey Cruller is my jam," says Voakes. "But it's like anything else, everyone's got a favourite and there's no wrong answers." When it comes to the top coffee orders, the results at Tim Hortons were consistent across the country. The classic Double-Double™ was tops, followed by "regular" — one dairy, one sugar — and then a simple black coffee was the third most popular order. Across Canada, the top 10 Tim Hortons donuts were: Boston Cream, Apple Fritter, Old Fashioned Plain, Honey Cruller, Chocolate Dip, Vanilla Dip, Sour Cream Glazed, Chocolate Glazed, Double Chocolate and Honey Dip.(CNW)

Sunrise Credit Union is pleased to be offering a FREE resource for all businesses, large and small, including home-based. GoShopLocal.ca is designed to let more people know about individual businesses and the products and services they provide. The website aims to increase the visibility of businesses in the communities they serve and beyond. It takes just a few minutes for business owners and operators to provide information to allow consumers to learn all about their business. “It’s an effort to drive awareness to all the products and services that our small businesses provide outside of the large companies that we’re all familiar with.” said Sunrise Credit Union President and CEO Tim Klassen, “Sunrise has a big part in small business throughout our region. This initiative is an exciting project that we hope gets some traction and helps our small businesses.” Sunrise Credit Union will be promoting GoShopLocal.ca to consumers throughout Southwestern Manitoba through a robust marketing campaign early in the New Year.

The restaurant scene in downtown Brandon is set to expand by one. Babakadir Shawarma Restaurant, owned by Abdul Miah, is looking to open the doors to its new restaurant in the next 7-10 days. When dining is once again open to the public, the roughly 2,000 sq ft eatery (located at 934 Rosser Ave) will seat approximately 50 people. Due to the current Covid restrictions, the restaurant will initially be open for pickup orders. Delivery options are on the agenda as well, via their web site. takeout box Miah told bdnmb.ca that the menu will serve up some tasty and extremely affordable authentic Mediterranean fusion cuisine. A quick glance of the extensive menu shows a variety of appetizers, soups, rices, sandwiches/wraps, and salads. He graduated in Hospitality-Hotel Operations Management at Centennial College Toronto and has more than 10 years experience working in a kitchen, including time spent at the Shawarma House in Toronto. Miah is hoping to combine his experiences in the kitchen with his culture's rich food history to provide Brandonites with a unique and memorable dining experience. He will be joined in the kitchen by 3 other experienced and talented chefs. wraps for the sandwiches brand new kitchen equipment front counter

The last several months, local restaurants have had no choice but to adapt during this coronavirus outbreak. Recent regulations to close dining room areas in order to combat the spread of COVID-19 have tasked restaurants with looking for alternative methods of operation to remain open. Patches Family Restaurant (223-18th Street North) recently told bdnmb.ca they have reduced both their hours of operation and menu, while adding in-house delivery as well. "We did good at breakfast, but lunch has always been our strongest point which is why we decided on the hours we are working off of now" said owner Micheal Smith. "During our covid hours, normally we have a lunch special that runs until 2pm, and includes home made soup for $10.95 Monday through Friday, along with daily evening specials that run $13.95 that include soup or salad, dessert (bread pudding), but we won't be running those again (evening specials) until I can have a dining room opened again." added Micheal. roast beef melt with fries and tomato vegetable soup Patches Family Restaurant has been serving Brandon residents quality home cooked meals for roughly 20 years. Micheal Smith and Jo-Anna Kay are the new owners and they about to enter their 2nd year of ownership. Michael has been working there for 11 years. To place an order you can call them (727-6517), order through Facebook or Instagram and orders are available for pick up and in house delivery. Current Hours of operation:Tuesday through Saturday 11am to 4pm "We would like to thank each and every person who has taken the time to order from us, be them our daily regulars, or people who have ordered for the first time, and everything in-between. Its been a strange year, but were all getting through it together!" finished Micheal. monte cristo with fries bacon cheese burger with fries ham chef salad with garlic toast fish and chips pierogies with ham, sauteed onions, and cream of cauliflower and cheddar soup

Brandonites got their first taste of the Black Wheat Brewing Company products Tuesday night. In fact, the beer arrived during a blizzard. What a way to make an entrance!  Who doesn’t love an icy cold beer though? Wrapping gifts and baking cookies was the setting for my first taste of the new beers.  The first one, the one with the cheeky name, Reality Czech, is my favourite of the two introductions. No doubt this one will be popular! It’s a light-tasting, easy drinking Czech-style pale lager. It has a fresh, almost floral finish to it. It goes well with copious amounts of Christmas cookies and fudge. (Or that’s how I tried it, at least!) I look forward to trying it again with some gingerbread cookies, or maybe even a charcuterie tray. Isn’t that what we’re all eating this week anyways?  In my opinion, this great tasting beer would pair well with just about anything. Photo: Cathie Crossin If you like a full flavoured, crisp IPA style lager, then do try the Empire Ale.  It’s got a darker colour and a higher alcohol content. I think it would be well paired with a spicy pizza, wings or sharp cheddar cheese and soft pretzels.  The day after my taste test and introductions, I thought I would share a few by playing secret Santa & delivering a few to the doorsteps of friends. I stopped along the way to snap a few scenic photos. The labels are very attractive and look fantastic. Everyone I spoke to agrees! I stopped to grab a pizza for my last delivery (as I thought it would be a nice touch). Who wouldn’t love a Fast Fired Pizza and a beverage delivered to their door?  (It made for a nice picture too! Sorry if the pizza cooled off a bit.)  Photo: Cathie Crossin Kudos to the brewmaster and brand managers at Black Wheat Brewing Company. I know it’s not easy launching a product, or building a brand in a pandemic. The other thing I know is that the folks of Brandon and Westman are supportive and love local. The future is bright and we certainly look forward to the brewery and taproom opening this Spring. It will be absolutely wonderful when we can sit side-by-side, share stories, raise a glass to toast and actually drink a beer together once again.