For those who love FOOD, TRAVEL, and WINE, this is a festival you want to add to your calendar. Yes, we’re giving you a 1 year head start because we know Seattleites need it and we’re not ashamed to admit it. Cornucopia is a yearly food & wine festival that happens during the Fall season in Whistler. There are over 60+ scheduled events (full schedule here) during an 11 day showcase of the best food, wine and wellness.
CIBO LUNCHEON
An event that won our heart was the Cibo Luncheon at a beautiful private home overlooking alpine hills and mountains. The Vancouver-based Cibo Trattoria led by Executive Chef Faizal Kassam put together an incredible meal that included seared scallop over wine-cooked lentils, pillow-soft gnocchi alla romana (basically one giant semolina-based dumpling), smothered in chanterelles and a hefty shaving of white truffles off an impressive softball-sized fungi. Cibo is committed to providing a truly unique and farm to table type experience using the best ingredients.
The rich slow-cooked bison rib with Hester Creek’s Block 3 Reserve Cab Franc was exquisite. Made our eyes roll back in circles upon each bite.
ARAXI BIG GUNS DINNER
A Cornucopia event that is a MUST go is the BIG GUNS DINNER at Araxi led by Chef James Walt. Accompanied by Araxi Wine Director, Samantha Rahn, the night was absolutely perfect in every way showcasing what iconic French grapes can do in other great ‘terroirs’ around the globe. The wine selection was perfect, the food is incredibly well prepared and presented beautifully. This six-course feast takes the guest on a culinary journey with Chef James Walt offering the best of the fall harvest paired with this incredible line up of wines to indulge the senses.
This event sells out every year, so make sure you get tickets early!
What makes the Big Guns Dinner a favorite is the exquisite food, beautiful ambiance, and extraordinary wine pairings. The menu takes you on a culinary adventure through various textures, flavor profiles and different regions of the world.
CRUSH
If you’re looking for good wine, CRUSH is your event you want to check out. It’s hosted in a huge room at the main Whistler Conference Center filled with restaurants bites, wines, and auction items. The bites are small and the lines can get pretty long so we suggest grabbing dinner before attending and enjoying some good wine! There’s a huge selection of Canadian wines and spirits so come with an open palate.
COOKING DEMO LUNCHEON
Cornucopia is filled with all types of events such as a cooking demo with the best chef’s in Vancouver. The one that we attended was with Owner Robbie Kane and Executive Chef Jonathan Chovancek from one of the most popular restaurant in Vancouver called Cafe Medina. The cooking luncheon gives guests an up close and personal experience as the chef’s go step by step teaching you how to make a few of their popular dishes.
If you’re curious, Cafe Medina focuses on a Mediterranean/North African-inspired menu that plays around with your tastebuds from spicy sauces, rich aromatic creams and spices. The fresh locally sourced salmon with pistachio crumbles were absolutely divine. The combination of the rich and nutty cream sauce pair really nice with the salmon. The star of the show is their Belgian waffles with sweet chocolate and caramel sauces. It is like whoa!
We don’t want to spoil all the fun at Cornucopia! Now pack your bags and make a trip up to Whistler. Feel free to ask questions in the comment box and we’ll get back to you with answers and recommendations.
Founded EatSeattle, and has continued to use his expertise as editor-in-chief to guide the website’s growth over the last five years. Koh’s experience focuses on digital marketing and social media, and has been a part of several companies, some of which he created, specializing in both areas over the course of his career. Koh was previously with Google and Zagat where he helped expand and grow communities worldwide.
Charles Koh
