One of Whistler’s – and Canada’s — best chefs is taking her champion culinary skills to one of BC’s best wineries during the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival.

On October 3, Melissa Craig, executive chef at Whistler’s Bearfoot Bistro, will display her culinary skills and passion for local cuisine at Black Hills Estate Winery for the ‘Bearfoot at Black Hills’ Harvest Dinner. Craig, the 2008 winner of the cross-Canada Gold Medal Plates culinary competition, has not cooked in the Okanagan before.

“I am thrilled to be coming to the Okanagan during the fall crush, when you can feel so much energy in the vineyards and the wineries,” says Craig. “I have never cooked before in this region, and I am looking forward to drawing inspiration from the Okanagan’s beautiful surroundings for this harvest dinner. It is particularly exciting to be pairing my dishes with the wines of Black Hills Estate Winery, which I know very well and which deserve the many accolades they receive.”

Event organizers are equally thrilled that Craig’s first culinary foray into the Okanagan will take place at Black Hills Estate Winery.

“Melissa is recognized for making the Bearfoot Bistro arguably the best restaurant in Whistler, and one of the best in Canada. To have a chef of her stature and ability working with fresh Okanagan ingredients and combining those dishes with our wines is tremendously exciting,” says Glenn Fawcett, president of Black Hills Estate Winery.

Diners at the Bearfoot at Black Hills dinner will enjoy an intimate vineyard experience, with the harvest dinner prepared and served in a plush tent right in the Black Hills vineyard. Four courses will be served and paired with Black Hills wines, which will include the famed Nota Bene, Alibi, Carmenere and Chardonnay. Along with chef Craig, Black Hills winemaker Graham Pierce will provide commentary and insight into the food and wine pairings and characteristics.

The Bearfoot in the Vineyard Harvest Dinner at Black Hills Estate Winery is Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 6:30 pm to 10 pm. The location is at Black Hills Estate Winery, 30880 Black Sage Road, Oliver, B.C.

Tickets are $199.00 each and include dinner and wine with each course. Tickets are available on Ticketweb.

For information on Black Hills Estate Winery, go to blackhillswinery.com.