Media Releases
Monday, August 25, 2014
Fresh and new join the tried and true at Cornucopia: Whistler’s Celebration of Food + Drink
Tourism Whistler media release
For immediate release - August 25, 2014
Fresh and new join the tried and true at Cornucopia: Whistler’s Celebration of Food + Drink
Suggested Tweet: Bringing out the best for #Whistler’s favourite fall festival @CornucopiaWine Nov 6-16.
Whistler, B.C. – This fall the schedule for Cornucopia, Whistler’s Celebration of Food + Drink presented by BlueShore Financial highlight tried and true festival favourites alongside the fresh and new.
Organizers have been hard at work all summer, building a fresh menu of new tastings, seminars, Chef’s Luncheons, demonstrations to complement the returning favourites - ensuring something for every appetite (and budget).
Top 25 Celebratory Reception once again returns as kick off to the signature CRUSH Gala Grand Tasting. New for this year, Crush will only take place once on Saturday, November 8. Taking the place of Crush Friday is the new Cellar Door; a tasting event to showcase those wines when you aim to impress. House Party-Best of BC and POURED return on the evening calendars in addition to Cornucopia Night Market this year offering a “Taste of the World”.
Wine seminars of the “fresh and new” include Sketches of Spain, The France You’ve Never Tasted, interactive seminar You Be the Judge and - what is probably the most apropos seminar for Whistler - Up North & Down Under. Another fun new addition to the lineup – and just in time for the holidays is the Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s “Art of” series includes sessions such as The Art of Holiday Cooking and The Art of Holiday Cocktails – just to name a few. Perpetual favourites Rhône Alone, Bubble-icious, and the fastest sell out of 2013 - Around the World in 80 Minutes are some of the returning sensations.
Apparent through the success of last years’ seminars, the love affair for cocktails, craft beers and hand-crafted spirits continues. As a result, the event masterminds are excited to present the return of the runaway hits Craft Beer for Wine Lovers and MarTEAni Party - a modern day twist on the traditional afternoon tea. Taste the Spirit: BC Craft Distilleries, Single Malt Seduction and A Crash Course in Belgian Beer are just a few of the new added to the seminar itinerary. With a Twist is the new evening spirit/cocktail tasting event where patrons choose their own adventure!
Last but definitely not least – the always popular culinary celebrations. Winery dinners hosted around the resort range from Nita Lake Lodge’s Aura restaurant with guest chef David Hawksworth and Black Hills Winery to Hy’s Steakhouse with Noble Ridge Vineyard to the return of Araxi’s Big Guns and their Intimate Winery Dinners. Bubbles and Brunch, Chef’s Luncheons and the Culinary Stage Series also return to showcase the talents of local and regional chefs; all of which consistently sell-out. Seminars with a culinary angle such as Wine & Cheese Pairing at the Westin’s Grill & Vine restaurant, Pairing Wine with Asian Cuisine and Sins of the Senses: A Charcuterie & Sherry Affair aim to offer solutions to that age old question – how do I pair food and drink?
Visit www.whistlercornucopia.com to purchase tickets now on sale and to stay up to date on the latest information.
Attention media: Accreditation is now open – don’t miss out, please visit http://whistlercornucopia.com/media/
Faces of Cornucopia - Samantha Rahn, Wine Director
A passionate sommelier and world-traveler, Samantha arrived at Araxi in October, 2007 following a tour through Burgundy. Previously residing in Banff, Rahn was wine director at the award-winning Maple Leaf Grille for six years where she led the restaurant to numerous recognitions, including Wine Spectator’s ‘Best of’ Award of Excellence.
Trained at the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and with over 15 years of hospitality experience, Samantha sources exciting, value-driven wines to complement Araxi's highly acclaimed, 11,000 bottle library. In 2013, Samantha won the title of "Sommelier of the Year" at the Vancouver International Wine Festival and was recognized with the “Premier Crew Service Award” at the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards. An accomplished musician, Samantha is also a former snowboard cross racer, certified snowboard coach and avid downhill mountain bike competitor. www.araxi.com
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Whistler is Canada's premier year-round leisure and meeting destination located in the Coast Mountains 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Consistently rated the top ski resort in North America, Whistler was the Host Mountain Resort of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The resort offers an extensive range of accommodations totaling 10,000 bedrooms among 24 hotels as well as townhomes, condos, B&Bs and chalets. Whistler also boasts more than 100 restaurants and bars, 200 retail shops, 25 spas and countless activity options from world-renowned skiing and snowboarding, mountain biking and golf, to hiking, rock climbing, and watersports. The Resort Municipality of Whistler is home to a diverse community of more than 10,000 permanent residents.
Tourism Whistler is the member-based marketing and sales organization representing Whistler, operating the Whistler Conference Centre, Whistler Golf Club, Whistler Visitor Centre, as well as 1.800.WHISTLER and whistler.com - Whistler's official source for visitor bookings and information. As the convention and visitors bureau for the Resort Municipality of Whistler, Tourism Whistler represents more than 7,000 members who own, manage and operate properties or businesses on resort lands including hotels, restaurants, activity operators and retail shops.
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Media Contact
Mary Zinck
Specialist, Media Relations
T: 604.938.2702
E: mzinck@tourismwhistler.com
W: www.whistlercornucopia.com/media
T: www.twitter.com/CornucopiaWine
F: www.facebook.com/Whistler-Cornucopia