VANCOUVER — A group of at-risk students are learning how to cook traditional aboriginal cuisine, thanks to a new culinary arts program being led by chef Andrew George Jr., reports Vancouver’s Province newspaper.

The 28-week program, runs at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation community centre in North Vancouver, is designed to help youth stay in school and make good career choices, but that’s not its only purpose.

HILLSBORO, Ore. — Wok Box, a Canadian-based Pan-Asian quick-service restaurant chain (QSR), has entered the U.S. market with the opening of a store in Hillsboro, Oregon.

“After 10 years of success throughout Canada, we’re proud to expand Wok Box to the United States and make Hillsboro, Ore., our first home,” said Wok Box CEO, Scott Bender.

WINNIPEG — The Vaughan, Ont.-based Milestones Bar and Grill is expanding into downtown Winnipeg, according to the Winnipeg Free Press.

“We definitely have intentions of bringing Milestones Grill and Bar to downtown Winnipeg,” an unnamed spokeswoman for the company was quoted as saying by the Winnipeg Free Press.

VANCOUVER — Vancouver’s Listel Hotel has announced plans to open Forage, a new hotel-restaurant, which replaces O’Doul’s, a 40-year-old institution that closed this summer to make room for a new concept.

Chris Whittaker, Forage’s executive chef, forages year-round and is dedicated to finding menu ingredients that maintain traditional flavours while promoting the value of regional foods.