Do you fancy running down the hill to chase a cheese wheel? It’s not really for me, but I would run for cheese if I was assured something cheese-filled at the end. Thankfully I didn’t have to do much other than catch a cab to get down to Forage Restaurant for the media preview of the festival. Rather than having us chase cheese we instead gathered around the bar to sample the rolling cheese; this year it is Natural Pastures Courtenay Cheddar.
Pastry Chef Dominic Fortin from the Bearfoot Bistro in Whistler created a few lovely snacks for us with the Courtenay Cheddar including a cheese-filled salad, kale baked with cheese, hazelnut shortbread cracker and cheese dip. He also brought his divine bread down. The Bearfoot always served a cheese course with 100% Canadian Milk Cheese and I highly recommend dining there if you visit Whistler. If you are shopping for cheese look for this little cow on the label to identify it.
If you are looking for cheesy ideas I highly recommend you check out the Canadian Cheese Ambassador Program. If you click on the “check out the previous ambassador link’ on the far right, you’ll see my pictures from my reign as an ambassador. Which I miss dearly!
August 16, 2014 is the Cheese Rolling Festival in Whistler should you choose to join in!
Cheese Rolling is deceptively simple: an 11-pound wheel of cheese is rolled down a hill and everyone chases it, slipping, tripping and tumbling on the way down. The lucky winner gets to keep the cheese, and gets two ski season passes to Whistler Blackcomb!
Of course, that’s just the race. The whole Canadian Cheese Rolling Festival includes family activities, games, tastings and lots of fun ways for you and your family to enjoy Canadian cheese.
There are tasting seminars, cheese makers and experts for you to talk to, free activities for the kids, and a spread of delicious Canadian cheeses to taste and buy. Plus, there are a ton of prizes to be won just by attending! Racers who wear costumes have a chance to win a $500 Gift Card from Marketplace IGA® !
The English have been Cheese Rolling for centuries on Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire, and now Canada has its own traditional festival of cheesy delights – done Canadian-style!
Cheese Rolling Festival this August 16th, from 12 to 4 PM, at Whistler Blackcomb!
You can register to race on August 16th at Base 2 of Blackcomb Mountain. FREE! The registration tent opens at 11:00am but spaces fill up quickly so get there early if you want to secure a spot. Spaces are given on a first come first serve basis. There are men’s, women’s and children’s races – fun for everyone. Adult racers must be at least 19 years of age and provide valid government issued ID to register.
Helmets will be provided at the event, but participants are encouraged to bring their own protective gear.
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