Whistler’s food and drink shines brightly in Cornucopia
Twenty-one years ago, Whistler came up with the idea of throwing a big party in November to liven up the lull between summer and ski season. It would feature food and wine, and be called Cornucopia.
Over the years, Cornucopia has expanded from one weekend to two, and then the week in between. More dinners were added, along with more lunches, seminars and speakers, as well as grand tastings, beer, spirits and even a wellness component.
While it’s still a darn good time, Cornucopia is also an important food and drink festival on any connoisseur’s schedule.
For one thing, Cornucopia has become a great showcase for Whistler’s exciting food and beverage scene.
“Last year, in celebration of our 20th anniversary, we put the focus back on Whistler and that’s continued through this year,” says Mary Zinck, a manager of travel media for Tourism Whistler.
While chefs, sommeliers, speakers and brand reps are coming from Vancouver, Toronto, the U.S. and Mexico, the spotlight shines brightest on Whistler’s own talents.
There is a master class series of videos on the Cornucopia website featuring locals doing their thing — Bar Oso chef Jorge Munoz Santos assembling a charcuterie platter; Araxi’s award-winning sommelier Samantha Rahm talking about wine; Andre St. Jacques of Bearfoot Bistro sabring a bottle of bubbly.
Whistler chefs have partnered up with colleagues and winemakers from around the world for some truly remarkable collaborative dinners.
The Cellar by Araxi Intimate Dinner Series includes its signature Big Guns event (this year focusing on Italy, with a sneak peek at the new Il Caminetto menu), as well as dinners that feature Okanagan wineries, Moet Hennessey and Spain’s Torres, paired with Spanish fare from Bar Oso.
At the Four Seasons Resort and Residences, executive chef Eren Guryel will share his kitchen with chefs from Four Seasons resorts in Jackson Hole and Vail, as well as Nobu Lanai’s chef Marlowe Lawrenko. Guryel and Four Seasons Hotel Mexico’s star mixologist Mica Rousseau will also host Mezcal y Maize — A Taco Apres Party over several nights of the fest.
Also new is a nightly supper club at Legs Diamond Bistro, and Harajuku Izakaya’s Sensory Cinema, which pairs the movie Lost in Translation with a tasting menu and Japanese whisky. Black’s Pub is holding a four-course beer-pairing dinner.
And Nita Lake Lodge wants you to come out and warm up at their wine and fondue night
Then there are the events that are favourites year after year, like the Crush Grand Tasting, The Picnic, Poured, Cellar Door, Night Market and Savour, a roving multi-station comfort-foodand-drink-pairing dinner at the Westin Resort & Spa, as well as all the seminars, demonstrations, lunches in private homes and so much more.
The hardest part is figuring how to fit it all in.