Whistler Cornucopia is a celebration of food and drink that occurs over two weekends in Whistler between Nov. 7 to 17. One of the weekends this year falls on a long weekend due to Remembrance Day and they have also added comedy shows to the entertainment offerings.
I attended some of the events at Whistler Cornucopia last year and really enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere. Normally when you go to Whistler, you are busy with skiing or other activities and you don’t get a chance to enjoy the village and the peacefulness of the mountains. Since Whistler Cornucopia occurs in a soft season between the busy summer months and ski season, it is a great festival to provide respite from the rainy season we experience on the West Coast.
I have highlighted a few events from this year’s festival:
Thursday, Nov. 8 at 6:30 p.m. - The Cellar by Araxi: Burrowing Owl Winery Dinner ($229/person).
This dinner pairs one of the top restaurants in Whistler (Araxi Restaurant & Oyster Bar) with one of B.C.’s best wineries (Burrowing Owl Estate Winery). I was fortunate to attend a wine dinner at Araxi at last year’s Whistler Cornucopia and the food was spectacular. See my review of the wine dinner by clicking here.
Friday, Nov. 9 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. – Culinary Stage: Chef Alana Maas + Stag’s Hollow Winery ($55/person).
Chef Alana is a Chopped Canada winner and I attended a culinary stage event with her last year. She shows you how to cook several dishes and then you get to taste each dish paired with a wine from Stag’s Hollow Winery. It is a live cooking show and you not only learn some cooking skills but you get a nice lunch.
Saturday, Nov. 10 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Drink Seminar: Legacy to Luxe: Journey Through the World of Premium Japanese Sake ($56/person).
I love the variety of events that Whistler Cornucopia offers. This seminar will educate you on the history of Sake, and how it is made and then you will taste a few different styles of premium sake.
Thursday, Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. - Signature Event: Comedy Kitchen ($40/person).
Making sure that there is something for everyone, how about a little comedy? Three top comedians will entertain you live on stage.
Friday, Nov. 15 from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. - Signature Event: Night Market: Taste of the World ($79/person).
It is a perfect way to sample different cuisines paired with wine, beer & spirits. An all-inclusive smorgasbord of food and drinks!
Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. - Rimrock Cafe: An Evening with Black Hills Estate Winery ($250/person).
Another incredible opportunity to try the food at one of Whistler’s most iconic restaurants (Rimrock Café) paired with wine from Black Hills Estate Winery, a BC winery known for its flagship wine, Nota Bene.
There are so many great events that I cannot list them all in this column. For more of my recommendations for wine-related events, please see my video by clicking here.
As for accommodations, this is a great opportunity to try some world class hotels in Whistler at a fraction of the price you would pay in high season. Last year I stayed at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and the hotel was first class. See my review here by clicking here. Until next time, happy drinking!
Tony Kwan is a Richmond News columnist. Lawyer by day, and a food and wine lover by night. Kwan is an epicurean who writes about wine, food and enjoying all that life has to offer.
