TORONTO — Courvoisier has just launched L'Essence de Courvoisier, a new addition to its collection of cognacs.

Only 50 bottles of the limited-edition elixir will be sold in select liquor stores and at on-premise accounts Canada-wide for an approximate retail price of $3,200 per bottle.

The new cognac embodies Courvoisier's philosophy of fusing the traditions of a centuries-old cognac house with innovation. The blend consists of special reserves from the early 20th century, complemented by newer 'eaux de vie,’ marking innovations in distillation and barrel-making techniques.

TORONTO — This week, the duffers of the foodservice industry gathered at Devil’s Pulpit Golf Club in Caledon, Ont., for the 18th Annual Friends of We Care Golf Tournament.

A cheque for more than $54,000, collected through industry support, was presented to We Care ambassadors, Tyler Preece and Sydney Weaver. It's enough to provide more than 270 days at Easter Seals camp for children with physical disabilities this summer.

On the corporate side, the following companies lent their sponsorship support: Danone Foodservice, Fiera Foods Company, Lassonde Beverages, Smucker Foods of Canada, Cardinal Meats Specialists Ltd., Export Packers Company Ltd., H.J. Heinz Company of Canada, Pickle Barrel Restaurants, Trailto Wine Group, Burnbrae Farms Ltd., Gay Lea Foods, Kellogg Canada, Kraft Foodservice, Parmalat Canada, Mother Parker’s Tea & Coffee Inc., Kozy Shack Foodservice, Canadian Restaurant and Foodservice News, Canada Dry Mott’s, Magnum Food Brokers Inc.

TORONTO — The Ex, the annual carnival that descends on Toronto to mark the end of summer, usually leaves residents with stomach aches from too many little cinnamon dusted doughnuts — or this year’s deep-fried butter — but thanks to some top chefs, attendees will now have some gourmet comfort food to take with them into the fall.

At the Dairy Farmers of Canada’s Grate Canadian Grilled Cheese Cook-Off, chefs from across Canada put their spin on the Canadian favourite, and chef Michael Howell of The Tempest restaurant in Wolfville, N.S., came out on top with his Panini Toscano. The winning dish combined figs, prosciutto, arugula and Canadian Gouda cheese from Fox Hill in Nova Scotia.

TORONTO — A recent health warning out of Toronto should serve as a reminder to all restaurant employees and owners across the county of the required vigilance when it comes to food safety.

Toronto Public Health has identified a case of Hepatitis A at a Wendy's restaurant at 438 Nugget Avenue in Scarborough, Ont. Anyone who consumed food prepared at said restaurant between July 26 and Aug. 6 may have been exposed to the Hepatitis A virus, although risk of infection is very low.

Patrons who ate at the restaurant on any of the indicated dates should watch for signs of illness and contact their health-care provider if they experience any of the following: fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, dark urine or a yellowing of the skin (jaundice). Symptoms can develop up to 50 days after exposure.