SCOTLAND — For those rare whisky aficionados for whom an 18-year-old single-malt simply won’t do, a particularly exclusive offering has recently been announced, and rest assured, it’s not for the faint of heart, or light of wallet.  

The first bottle of whisky in the world to break the six-figure price barrier in British pounds was revealed by the Scotland-based Dalmore distillery, which sold two bottles for GBP100,000 each.

The 64-year-old Trinitas, named because there were three bottles produced, was acquired by a luxury whisky lover in the U.S. and a renowned whisky investor in the U.K.. The third bottle of the record breaking spirit will be sold at the Whisky Show in London at the end of October. But organizers are keeping the exact details of the exclusive sale under wraps.

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill, with locations across the states as well as two Canadian locations — both in Toronto — has partnered with Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution for a $1-million fundraiser designed to highlight the horrors of processed food.

This Halloween, Sunday, Oct. 31, customers who dine between 6 p.m. and closing time dressed as their favourite, or most feared processed food product, will be treated to a burrito, made with naturally raised ingredients, for only $2. Proceeds from the “Boorito 2010: The Horrors of Processed Food” program, up to $1 million, will benefit Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution.

“We have a long-standing tradition of rewarding our customers who dress up as their favourite Chipotle menu item with a free burrito on Halloween,” said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Chipotle. “It’s always been a fun promotion, but we wanted to do more with it this year and use the opportunity to reinforce with our customers our belief in the importance of eating wholesome, unprocessed foods.”

The Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, a new professional school for culinary arts in the U.S. and internationally, officially launched with a reception at the Alliance Francaise de Chicago, which was hosted by Paul Ryan, president of the Hoffman Estates and the Illinois-based Triumph Higher Education Group (Triumph HEG).

“The Foundation is dedicated to preserving the legacy of my great-grandfather as the ‘chef of kings and king of chefs,’” Michel Escoffier, Auguste Escoffier’s great-grandson and president of the Auguste Escoffier, Foundation and Museum of Villeneuve-Loubet, France, said at the launch. “What better way to extend Escoffier’s legacy and advance the profession than by providing innovative training that cultivates our future culinary leaders?”

TORONTO — A fresh alternative to fast food has arrived in the Lone Star State.   

The Toronto-based Freshii team recently celebrated the grand opening of their newest unit in Houston’s Energy Corridor District. “I’m so excited to bring the Freshii philosophy to the growing Energy Corridor District, because it’s a fresh and healthy alternative to traditional fast food,” said Javier Bueno, Freshii development partner. “With the thriving business market, opening of great shops and blossoming residential population, I’m excited to call this diverse neighbourhood Freshii’s first Houston home.”