The team at Four Seasons Resort Whistler is thrilled to host Painted Rock Estate Winery for two wine-fuelled dinners at Sidecut restaurant on November 11 and 12.

Painted Rock in Residence at Sidecut will feature proprietor John Skinner, as he walks guests through the award-winning premium wines from one of the Okanagan’s brightest stars.

Though a newcomer to the industry, its first vintage released in 2009, Painted Rock’s impact on the BC wine landscape is impressive. Painted Rock’s philosophy of quality without compromise is aligned with Sidecut Executive Chef Scott Dolbee’s vision of a top line guest experience in redefined Steakhouse style.

Beginning with a reception at 6:00pm, diners with have the opportunity ask their wine questions to John Skinner.   A group table dining format will be offered in the spirit of fostering wine and food dialogue along with a four-course ‘family style’ dining experience of Sidecut specialities.

Dinner is priced at $195 per person,  is limited to 40 seats per night and includes all wine pairings and gratuity.

Four Seasons Resort Whistler is also offering a two-night Cornucopia package.  For $780, couples will enjoy two nights in Deluxe King accommodations, valet parking and the Painted Rock in Residence at Sidecut dinner for two on either November 11 or 12.  Click here to make a reservation.

Sidecut will also be participating in the November 10 “House Party” and November 11 and 12, “Crush” events.

About Sidecut
Sidecut has recently celebrated its first anniversary with the honour of being named as Whistler’s Best New Restaurant by Where magazine. With an unwavering focus on  delivering the best steaks, sides, starters and sweets anywhere, Sidecut has raised the bar on what spectacular dining canbe. Seamless service, innovative dishes, creative cocktails and a stellar wine list round out the reasons why Sidecut simply shines.

About Four Seasons Resort Whistler    
As the world’s leading operator of luxury hotels, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts currently manages 85 properties in 35 countries. Open since June 2004, Four Seasons Resort Whistler is the only AAA Five-Diamond hotel or resort in all of Canada. The Resort offers a vacation experience of unlimited variety, along with the highly personalized, anticipatory service Four Seasons guests have come to expect and value around the world. Recent awards and honours include Travel + Leisure’s 15th best Hotel in North America and inclusion on Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Gold List. Information on  the company and on Four Seasons Resort Whistler can be accessed through the Four Seasons website at www.fourseasons.com.

Listen Live on NEWS1130 at 11:05 a.m. each Friday or Click here to listen Oct 21

When I look out my window on mornings like these to nothing other than drear and misery, I try to remember that rain in Vancouver leads to snow on the hills and I fantasize about my escapes to snow capped mountains.  On November 10-13 I’ll be heading up to Cornucopia in Whistler, a festival that combines food and wine in a setting that provides an escape from the city.

Where to stay – Nita Lake Lodge - Cornucopia Package including dinner 

Fairmont Whistler -

What’s on – Schedule is here http://whistlercornucopia.com/schedule/

Thursday – Chef’s Challenge  , Aura Wine Dinner

Friday – Sushi Presentation, Cocktails and Canapes, Painted Rock Dinner at Sidecut (Saturday too)

Friday and Saturday night Crush 

Saturday night parties – Masquerave at Bearfoot, Araxi Bubbles and Oceans

Sunday - Bubbles and Brunch

Other notable events – Wine Diva on Bubbles , Natalie MacLean on Value Wines, Taste Italy at Quattro, NZ Wine 

Saturday, November 12th, 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m., $155

After CRUSH complete your evening at Araxi’s famed Bubbles + Oceans Afterparty, a chance to let go in the heart of Whistler Village. In celebration of Araxi’s 30th anniversary, join us for an unforgettable night of brilliant seafood and deluxe bubbles from an unprecedented showing of 30 of the world’s top Champagne and sparkling wine houses.

Executive chef James Walt will showcase an impressive selection of finely crafted canapés and his plateaux de mer, offering the finest freshly shucked oysters, sushi and Tofino Dungeness crab. This don’t miss party at Whistler’s premier restaurant is one of the festival’s hottest tickets!

Tickets are $155 per person and available for purchase online.

In conjunction with Whistler’s celebrated Bearfoot Bistro, Cornucopia presents six remarkable chefs from Québec: Jean-Luc Boulay of Le Saint-Amour (Québec City), François Blais of Bistro B (Québec City), Danny Saint-Pierre of Auguste Restaurant (Sherbrooke), Jérôme Ferrer of Européa Restaurant (Montréal), Eric Gonzales of Auberge Saint-Gabriel (Montréal) and Laurent Godbout of Chez L’Épicier (Montréal).

The chefs will visit Whistler for four days during the event, working with local restaurants one evening and sharing their fine-dining creations at food stations during the Bearfoot Bistro’s extravagant after party: Masquerave. Exploring the theme of fire and water, this year’s Masquerave will feature DJs from Ibiza, Cirque performers and charity benefits for One Drop foundation, Whistler Blackcomb Foundation and Whistler’s Ecole La Passerelle.

The 2011 Cornucopia Food & Wine Festival also celebrates the 30^th anniversary of one of Whistler’s original fine-dining establishments. Araxi restaurant is no stranger to accolades and awards, having won Best Whistler Restaurant in 2011 from three publications, and boasting an industry-leading wine program and perennial ‘Best of Award of Excellence’ from the prestigious Wine Spectator magazine.

In keeping with its tradition of innovation, Araxi will be offering two spectacular evenings of wine and food, beginning with their world-class Winemaker Dinner, Big Guns: Icons of the Wine World on Friday, November 11. Appropriate to its mountain + ocean cuisine, Big Guns will climb to new heights in 2011, with a multi-course presentation of Executive Chef James Walt’s autumn-inspired cooking, paired with some of the most spectacular wines from around the world. Featuring wineries such as Taittinger, Joseph Drouhin, Grgich Hills, Michele Chiarlo, Remelluri, Mission Hill, Inglenook, Catena, St. Urbans-Hof and Quinta do Noval, once again Big Guns will showcase truly extraordinary pairings of food and wine, highlighting the impeccable cuisine created by Chef Walt that celebrates his close connection to local farmers, ranchers and Pacific fishers.

One of the province’s most iconic restaurants, Araxi is a champion of the best sustainable seafood that coastal British Columbia has to offer. And there is no better accompaniment to Chef Walt’s prepared and raw bar selections than the impressive selection of 30 Champagnes and sparkling wines served at the 30^th anniversary edition of Araxi’s Bubbles + Oceans after party on Saturday, November 12. One of Cornucopia’s stellar and most popular events, the evening is an exciting mix of incredible food, extraordinary wines, laughter and live music.

Several other outstanding Whistler restaurants will be partnering with notable wineries to offer Winemaker Dinners during Cornucopia:

Alta Bistro with Austin Hope Winery – November 10

Bearfoot Bistro with Dom Perignon, Chateau du Beaucastel, Caymus, Masi and Ornellaia – November 11

The Wildflower at the Chateau Fairmont Whistler along with Burrowing Owl – November 11

HY’s Steakhouse with Peter Lehmann – November 12

La Bocca and Hester Creek – November 12

Quattro is also offering a unique luncheon paired with an Italian wine offering – November 12

Tickets for all of these once-in-a-lifetime Winemaker Dinner experiences are available here

The dual-night flagship tasting event, CRUSH, as well as chef’s luncheons, Chef’s Trip to the Farm and late-night after parties, round out the programming for Cornucopia — Whistler’s Celebration of Wine and Food. Showcasing the incredible variety and talent of home-grown chefs, Cornucopia creates a foundation for domestic appreciation on a culinary level.

Visit www.whistlercornucopia.com for ticket and event information.

After a five-year hiatus, the legendary Masquerave at the Bearfoot Bistro returns to Cornucopia, Whistler’s celebration of wine and food.

Masquerave is a benefit event in aid of ONE DROP, an initiative of Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque du Soleil®. ONE DROP fights poverty worldwide through its projects aimed at supporting access to water and raising each and every one’s awareness of water-related issues.

This must-attend extravaganza will feature oustanding local and imported wines, world-class champagne, international DJs, astounding light shows and sexy burlesque entertainment all night long.

The new food program will feature gastronomic creations by Bearfoot Bistro executive chef Melissa Craig as well as top chefs from Vancouver and the province of Quebec.

Ticket Price: $295
(A 18% Suggested Service Charge will apply plus 12% HST)

 

VIP Lounge Package: Book your own private lounge: $1495 (A 18% Suggested Service Charge will apply plus 12% HST) – Capacity: 10 guests

 

 Reservations: For quick and easy payment, please use PAYPAL or call the Bearfoot Bistro at 604 932 3433 ext 1. For further details, please email us at masquerave@bearfootbistro.com.

The 2011 Cornucopia Food & Wine Festival brings local masters of mixology to the stage to showcase their creative cocktails paired with delectable canapés as part of the Viking Stage Series.

Known as the Commander and Chief of Beverage at Nita Lake Lodge – Hailey Pasemko has defined a cocktail culture for the resort’s Aura restaurant and Cure lounge and patio.  The cocktail menu at Nita Lake Lodge consists of Pasemko’s original creations – utilizing fresh herbs and flowers from the rooftop garden including thyme, watercress and mint. Pasemko’s passion for the fresh, combined with her forward-thinking approach, lead her to create her own bitters, garnishes and unique infused sprits. From pickled Jerusalem artichokes, to cedar-infused rye, Hailey takes the cocktail experience to a higher level.

Aura’s Executive Chef, Tim Cuff, will take centre stage with Pasemko pairing cocktails with handcrafted canapés. Highlights are sure to include Aura’s house made charcuterie. Nita Lake Lodge presents their Viking Stage Seminar on Friday November 11 from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Whistler Conference Centre.

The passionate proprietors of FoodLovers – A bistro located in the nearby Pemberton Valley, just north of Whistler, will present their Viking Stage Seminar “Sharing Life, Love and Local Foods” on Sunday November 13 from 12:30 – 2 p.m. at the Whistler Conference Centre.  The brainchild of Pastry Chef Jenna Dashney and award-winning chef Maxim Ridorossi, FoodLovers creates artisanal food with local, organic ingredients sourced from the abundant Pemberton Valley. Jenna and Maxim will be combining their locavore creations with Pemberton Distillery’s cocktail sensations from husband and wife team Tyler and Lorien Schramm.

Cocktails will feature the international award-winning Schramm vodka – the only certified organic small batch potato vodka in the world, the new blueberry-infused vodka as well as Canada’s first organic gin. Lorien Schramm emphasizes that “similar to wine, with cocktail pairing, the food drives the drink and you can either complement or contrast flavours to create the ideal tasting experience. However, with cocktails you have the ability to build and tweak the complexity of the cocktail to work with the dish being served, whereas with wine or beer you already have a set flavour profile.”

Cornucopia 2011 also welcomes Sonoma County Vintners, featured at the CRUSH Gala Grand tasting, the Industry trade tasting, Regional Walkabout and headlining exclusive trade and consumer seminars. Sonoma cool climate wines deliver unique qualities derived from an environment like no other. The differences and subtleties of the terroir of the American Viticulture Areas of Carneros, Sonoma Coast, and Russian River Valley will be explored. Sonoma’s cool climate growing regions are sculpted by the Pacific fogs rolling in and out from the ocean nearby, making these areas perfect for producing elegant, subtle Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines with character and distinction. Sonoma County Wines will present their wine seminar on Saturday November 12^t from 4.30 – 6 p.m.at the Whistler Conference Centre.

Visit www.whistlercornucopia.com for ticket and event information. Media are invited to apply for accreditation to Cornucopia 2011. Accreditation forms can be accessed at http://www.whistlercornucopia.com/about/media.html

Whistler’s 14^th annual Cornucopia is taking the social media world by storm with an initiative that will bring wines featured at CRUSH to the masses, all the while creating a buzz about the wines, the event and the players.

CRUSH features a multitude of wineries and is so popular it takes place over two nights – Friday and Saturday. With the addition of the Twitter Wine Tastings, the far-reaching popularity of CRUSH is about to broaden even more.

Tourism Whistler and event producer Watermark, are pleased to announce that a new component has been added to this year’s CRUSH events – Twitter wine tastings. The craze has hit many wineries in the U.S. and Canada, with vintners exploring social media wine tastings as a way to open up the experience to more people and increase interest in wine events.

The Twitter hash tag is #cornucopiataste. Event attendees, winemakers, media and industry representatives will be participating by tweeting about the wines they are tasting at CRUSH. So, while an influential winemaker, industry professional or media rep tastes a wine, you can be sipping the same bottle and join in the conversation with your own comments, or just take down their recommendations for the next time you want to explore a new taste.

To participate in following and contributing to the online conversation on Twitter, users simply include the hash tag in their tweets and they will automatically join the thread. Media are reminded to follow @mediaTWhistler for the latest story ideas, quirky facts and updates on what’s new in Whistler.

Cornucopia: Whistler’s Celebration of Wine and Food takes place November 11-14 offering wine seminars, luncheons and parties galore. Never a dull moment to be had– tickets are still available to a myriad of events sure to please all palates and budgets.

Slow Food Artisan Market takes place at the Westin Resort & Spa Whistler on Saturday. This free event has become a Cornucopia favourite, showcasing the bounty of the region. Bring a tote bag because you’ll want to shop for organic cheeses, vegetables, baked goods and stunning artworks. The Westin’s executive chef, Bradley Cummings, will be preparing food stations throughout the market created with ingredients from the artisans. Sample tickets are just $1 each with each food and wine station priced at 1-7 tickets.

Wine Access presents Killer Value Wines on Sunday at the Whistler Conference Centre. Discover what makes wines a great value, whether they’re in the $10 range or the $25 range. A panel of wine experts will champion the domestic and international wines they believe offer consumers the best value. A wide range of wines from around the world will be selected and served blind. Following that, the panel will introduce their picks and explain the who, what, where, when and why for each wine. All wines sampled are available in B.C. Guests will also receive a copy of Wine Access magazine featuring the results of the 2010 International Value Wine Awards. Tickets for this event are $45 per person.

Wineries in Residence at the Four Seasons Resort Whistler offers a luxurious experience featuring the new Sidecut restaurant and winemakers from some of North America’s most distinguished wineries. At this reception-style luncheon, Chef Edison Mays will showcase samples from the Sidecut menu with pairings and presentations from featured wineries including Ehlers Estate, Merryvale Winery, Pahlmeyer, Miner Family Winery, Pepper Bridge Winery and Amavi Cellars. Tickets for this event are $150 per person.

Bubbles and Brunch at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler offers guests a spectacular epicurean event at the Wildflower Restaurant. Bubbles and Brunch highlights the best of this year’s local harvest with fresh seafood and regionally-inspired fare prepared while guests watch. The menu is paired with a selection of still and sparkling wines. Bubbles and Brunch takes place on Sunday and offers the ultimate setting for a fond farewell to this year’s Cornucopia. Tickets for this event are $65 per person.

Detailed Cornucopia information including event schedules, ticketing information, participating wineries and restaurants, and an exciting list of celebrity chefs and seminar presenters is available at www.whistlercornucopia.com.

Cornucopia accommodation packages starting at $99 per night are available at www.whistler.com/cornucopia

whistlercornucopia.com

House Party – Best of BC
Wildly successful in 2009, we are bringing back the ultimate House Party again in 2010. Wine and dine the very best that BC has to offer in gourmet BBQ, created and served by the fabulous Sidecut Restaurant, microbrewed beer, locally produced award winning wine and even home grown vodka! Cornucopia is putting the “house” back in house party and welcoming festival attendees come on over and enjoy delights offered by our “city”, our “backyard”, our “house”. Don’t be late!! – $35

TOP 25 Celebratory Reception
The Top 25 Celebratory Reception is an exclusive walkabout tasting showcasing the “25 Best Wines of the Festival” as determined by a panel of 10 esteemed industry experts. This tasting event is sure to get your weekend off to a great start with the best of the best being poured at the beautiful Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, coupled with a selection of gourmet canap?s prepared by Whistler Cooks and samples of BC’s best cheeses offered up by the Dairy Farmers of Canada. – $35

Chef’s Trip to the Farm
This popular event sells out every year. Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s Executive Chef Vincent Stufano and Jordon Sturdy, owner of the North Arm Farm, take you on a food adventure north of Whistler – about 25 minutes – to the pastoral farming community of Pemberton. Spectacular mountains surround the very lush valley of organic goodness in Pemberton. Visit the Sturdy North Arm Farm, discuss the topics of harvesting fresh produce and then step into their county kitchen for some healthy home-style cooking and a delicious meal. *Transport to and from Whistler Conference Centre provided.? – $129?
(Please note – There are only a handful of tickets left for this event!)

Regional Walkabout – Australia, South Africa & the Wines of the Golden Mile
Take a trip around the world – Sniff, Sip and Swirl some of the best wines the world has to offer over two afternoons at this regionally focused event! Join South Africa, Australia & the Wines of the Golden Mile, three of the most acclaimed wine regions of the world, as they host a casual walkabout tasting showcasing new vintages and award winning wines. This is a rare opportunity to meet vintners and explore the wines from these fascinating winemaking mecca’s from across the globe. Hosted in elegant surrounds, these afternoon wine tastings will be accompanied by a sampling of canap?s inspired by the acclaimed regions. Saturday or Sunday afternoon and the best ticket in town at only $35!

Chef’s Table Luncheon – WEST at Whistler
West Restaurant – Vancouver’s acclaimed West Restaurant—five-time recipient of Vancouver magazine’s ‘Restaurant of the Year’—presents an exclusive multi-course luncheon expertly paired with an extraordinary line-up of wines: Jackson Estate (Marlborough), Truchard (Carneros), Trefethen (Napa), and Cassini (Okanagan Valley). Executive Chef David Gunawan will showcase West’s tradition of excellence through fine seasonal ingredients drawn from the terroir of the nearby farms and fields, and the meroir of the Pacific Ocean. Having honed his skills in top restaurants in Chicago and Seattle, Gunawan made a calculated move to Vancouver, as he says, “to be as close as possible to farmers and suppliers who care, and who match my respect for ingredients. I find our culinary environment here deeply inspiring.” Join David and the West team for this inspiring luncheon, cast in a luxurious Whistler residence. – $125

VIKING Stage Series
Our good friends at Viking are returning again in 2010 to offer up a series of deliciously educational tasting demonstrations aptly named the Viking Stage Series. Quickly becoming a festival highlight for foodies and wine connoisseurs alike you won’t want to miss these new and improved seminars that will tempt the senses. Touching on a variety of dynamic and exotic topics and hosted by a range of outstanding guest chefs, this full working Viking kitchen will set up shop in the Grand Foyer of the Whistler Conference Centre all weekend long! From Edible BC to Dairy Farmers of Canada to the Bearfoot Bistro there is sure to be a seminar that will peak your interest:

• BC Wines and Chocolates: Rogers’ Chocolates Master Chocolatier and Prospect Winery Pairing
• Holiday Entertaining with Edible BC and Poplar Grove
• All You Need Is Cheese – with an array of Summerhill Pyramid Wines
• Making Truffles with Rogers’ Chocolates Master Chocolatier featuring Prospect Winery
• Sushi, Sake & Wine with Kame and Sushi Village
• Desserts & Decadence with the Bearfoot Bistro – More information coming soon!

Whistler Chef’s Challenge presented by VIKING
Launched at the 2009’s TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival and welcomed with rave reviews and great crowds at 2009’s Cornucopia, the Whistler Chef Challenge brings local knife-masters out of the kitchens of the resort, and onto the stainless steel backdrop of Cornucopia’s Viking Stage. At the Whistler Chef Challenge a series of heats will see two local Chefs at a time go head to head in the ultimate foodie throwdown. With live commentary providing heckling and insight, and all chefs mic’ed for some interactive banter, it’s game on as competitors make the most of their 30 minutes to produce delicious fare utilizing a themed ingredient. Come out to see who will be crowned King of the Cooks at the 2nd annual competition. – FREE ADMISSION

Slow Food Artisan Market
This event has become a Cornucopia favourite. Presented by Slow Food Sea-to-Sky and The Westin Resort & Spa, admission to this market is free and located at the Westin. The market showcases the splendid bounty from the ranches, farms, waters and studios of the region. Wander through two levels of displays and booths, chat with the artisans about their products and sample their wonderful fare.?But a ‘must’ is to bring a tote bag as you will be able buy a variety of organics from cheeses and vegetables to fabulous baked goods and one-of-a-kind art. There are also featured regional wineries and breweries. Westin’s Executive Chef, Jeffery Young, will be preparing food stations throughout the market created with the ingredients from the artisans. Sample tickets are $1 each with each food and wine station priced from 1 – 7 tickets.?

Don’t hesitate to purchase your tickets to these fabulous events
as they always sell out fast!

Call us at: 1-800-WHISTLER (1-800-944-7853) or visit whistler.com/cornucopia

*Subject to availablility.

whistlercornucopia.com

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Join us on Facebook. Stay tuned on Facebook for a chance to win event tickets!

Friday, November 12th @ 6:30pm $225, all inclusive

Big Guns: Small Producers -  Exclusive winemakers’ dinner celebrates a unique collection of wines

On Friday, November 12th, Whistler’s premier restaurant, Araxi, will celebrate a compelling collection of wines in an exclusive winemakers’ dinner during Cornucopia: Whistler’s Celebration of Wine and Food.

These five extraordinary wineries—four from the Napa Valley and one from Walla Walla—are all small, family-owned properties engaged in sustainable farming practices. Each of the wineries has achieved critical acclaim and international followings, and through the course of the evening, introductions to each wine will be led by winery principals, including discussion on technique and terroir. This insider’s tour of excellence in winemaking promises to be Cornucopia’s tour de force.

Executive Chef James Walt has created a distinctive five-course menu that highlights the excellence of the Pemberton Valley’s autumn harvest—alongside globally-sourced ingredients—with each plate married to these prized wines:

Ehlers Estate Sauvignon Blanc, St. Helena, Napa Valley, 2009

Ehlers Estate Cabernet Sauvignon “1886″, St. Helena, Napa Valley, 2006
‘Top-Rated’ Gayot

Miner Family Vineyards “Wild Yeast” Chardonnay, Oakville, Napa Valley, 2007
91 Points, Connoisseurs’ Guide

Miner Family Vineyards “The Oracle”, Oakville, Napa Valley, 2006
93 Points, Wine & Spirits Magazine

Pahlmeyer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, 2007
95 Points, Robert Parker

Pahlmeyer Merlot Napa Valley, 2007
96 Points, Robert Parker

Pepper Bridge Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, 2007  
92 Points, Robert Parker

Pepper Bridge Winery ‘Reserve’, Walla Walla Valley, 2006
93 Points, Robert Parker

Merryvale “Profile”, St. Helena, Napa Valley, 1999
93 Points, Wine Spectator

Merryvale “Antigua” NV (Dessert Wine)
91 Points, San Francisco Chronicle
Gold Medal, Wine Enthusiast

For tickets, visit whistlercornucopia.com. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Whistler Health Care Foundation.

whistlercornucopia.com

CRUSH
THE party to be part of and Cornucopia’s flagship event – The Grand Gala Tasting. So popular the event is held on two nights – take your pick! Spoil your senses and indulge at CRUSH on Friday November 12th or Saturday November 13th featuring the wine delights of over 75 wineries and heralded as the most anticipated wine event of the Fall.

House Party – Best of BC
Wildly successful in 2009, we are bringing back the ultimate House Party again in 2010. Wine and dine the very best that BC has to offer in gourmet BBQ, microbrewed beer, locally produced award winning wine and even home grown vodka! Cornucopia is putting the “house” back in house party and welcoming festival attendees to come on over and enjoy delights offered by our “city”, our “backyard”, our “house”. Don’t be late!!

Regional Walkabout
Take a trip around the world – Sniff, Sip and Swirl some of the best wines the world has to offer over two afternoons at this regionally focused event! Join some of the most acclaimed wine regions of the world as they host a casual walkabout tasting showcasing new vintages and award winning wines. This is a rare opportunity to meet vintners and explore the wines from these fascinating winemaking mecca’s from across the globe. Hosted in the elegant surroundings of the world class Fairmont Chateau Whistler, the afternoon wine tastings will be accompanied by a sampling of canap?s inspired by these acclaimed regions. The best ticket in town at only $35!