Whistler is a can't miss vacation destination perched high in the majestic Coast Mountains of British Columbia. Its activities, events, and festivals will give you enough to do for many fun-filled getaways, and it's only a 60-mile drive north of Vancouver.
Whistler Cornucopia has been the benchmark for culinary events in British Columbia for the past 20 years. The event is a major celebration of provincial culinary and liquor industries, and event planners are expecting over 15,000 attendees in 2016. Patrons will get the chance to participate in seminars, tastings, demonstrations, and dinners hosted by prominent industry professionals. The event also strives to support others via charitable donation, working with the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program. ResortsandLodges.com got the chance to interview Mary Zinck, Travel Media Manager for Tourism Whistler, to talk about this food-themed spectacular.
RAL: How long has the event been running?
MZ: This is the 20th year of Whistler Cornucopia.
RAL: How many annual participants do you draw and who are they demographically? Families? Couples?
MZ: Approximately 15,000 people are expected to attend. It’s a food and drink festival, so it’s primarily adult couples, singles, and groups of friends.
RAL: What makes this event unique?
MZ: Cornucopia is an 11-day display of gourmet food and drink attracts over 15,000 visitors and caters to everyone from amateur enthusiasts to aficionados. Respected industry professionals, judges, and presenters headline each event, seminar, and tasting, offering the best possible opportunity to garner as much information and insight as possible. Held on the cusp of the ski season opening in beautiful Whistler, British Columbia, Cornucopia was designed to showcase and support local restaurants, restaurateurs, and the food and wine industry. With widespread appeal through the immense variety of events available, the festival is truly a food and drink festival with a Whistler attitude.
RAL: Take me through the activities of a day at the event.
MZ: Activities range from culinary stage demonstrations to educational seminars centered around food and drink!
RAL: Will there be any guest appearances?
MZ: There will be a host of guest appearances. Various BC chefs will be making appearances, and the 2016 International Guest Chef is Chef Benito Molina of Manzanillo restaurant in Ensenada Mexico
RAL: What dining options will attendees encounter?
MZ: Multiple restaurants with winemaker dinners, culinary stage demonstrations in the Whistler Conference Centre as well as Chef’s Table Luncheons in various private luxury homes around Whistler.
RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging?
MZ: You can review a list of participating hotels and lodging packages here: http://whistlercornucopia.com/Lodging
RAL: Does this drive business to your local economy?
MZ: Absolutely, the festival takes place in what is the traditional shoulder season for this resort – in advance of the ski season opening.
RAL: Does the event support a special cause in the community? (School funds, etc.)
MZ: The festival is a fundraiser for various charities around Whistler. The selected charity changes each year. This year the festival's charity recipient is Whistler Adaptive Sports Program. Cornucopia raises approximately $35,000 CAD each year for the charity.
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
MZ: Cornucopia offers visitors the chance to learn from some of British Columbia's best local/BC chefs, winemakers, and brewers. Plus all of the activities take place at the most renowned resort in Whistler, BC Canada.
For more information about Whistler Cornucopia, please visit their website www.whistlercornucopia.com
Photography Credit: Cornucopia/Darby Magill