Media Releases

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Whistler Cornucopia 2024: New Experiences, Notable Names & Celebration Galore

Whistler, BC – Get ready for a whirlwind of culinary creativity, award-winning wines, and entertainment as Whistler Cornucopia returns next week with a packed schedule from November 7-17, 2024. This year's festival brings a fresh twist to Whistler’s iconic food and drink event, including brand-new events and exclusive experiences to savour. Here’s what’s new and noteworthy to tickle your tastebuds:

Noteworthy Events You Can't Miss

This year, Whistler Cornucopia puts California’s world-renowned vineyards centre stage, offering guests an exclusive opportunity to explore the region’s rich and diverse wines. Featured in Cellar Door (November 8) and the CRUSH Grand Tasting (November 9), these curated experiences bring the best of California’s vineyards to Whistler, alongside a selection of top wines from local and international producers.

For comedy lovers, Comedy Kitchen (November 14) brings three top-tier acts to the stage, headlined by acclaimed comedian Dave Nystrom. Known for his performances worldwide and network specials with HBO, Comedy Central, and CTV, Nystrom is set to deliver laughs accompanied by delicious sips.

For foodies, Night Market: Taste of the World (November 15) is a global culinary journey, inspired by a bustling street market atmosphere with a selection of wine, beer, and spirits. This will be the first time the Night Market will have Indigenous representation with the presence of the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre serving Duck Confit and herbs on bannock with apricot salsa.

This year introduces Straight Up: Gatsby Gold (November 16), Cornucopia’s newest Signature Event. Step back into the Roaring Twenties with vintage-inspired attire, dance to the Famous Players Band, and enjoy tastings from a selection of spirits, cocktails, craft beers, and wines.

And don’t miss the evolution of the fan-favorite Drag Me to Brunch, now transformed into Drag Me to Après (November 17). Hosted by Canada's Drag Race Superstar Gia Metric, this lively après party combines captivating drag performances with classic après-ski bites and beverage tastings for a memorable close to the festival.

Drink Seminars with a Focus on Storytelling

Cornucopia 2024 offers over 35 drink seminars led by an impressive roster of experts, including Cornucopia Ambassador and Festival Sommelier Samantha Rahn. Rahn’s line-up includes:

• Wines of Our Allies for Remembrance Day (November 11) – a moving session highlighting wines from war-touched regions.
• BC Wines: Then, Now, and Looking Ahead (November 12) – a deep dive into British Columbia's evolving wine industry.
• Wine, Food + Fun (November 13) – an interactive session on pairing and enjoying wine on.
• Secrets of the Cornucopia Sommelier (November 14) – showcasing some of the best hidden wine gems.
• Top Value Wines: The Whistler Edition (November 15) – a budget-friendly guide to Whistler’s top wines under $30.

Culinary Stage Series – New Faces and Flavours

This year’s Culinary Stage Series features 11 events showcasing seven renowned chefs, including the following chefs making their Cornucopia debut:

• Executive Chef Quang Dang (November 9, 10, 16 & 17) – Cornucopia’s Feature Chef known for his focus on sustainable, Pacific Northwest cuisine, showcasing locally sourced ingredients with refined techniques. Chef Dang is recognized for his work at top Vancouver restaurants, West Restaurant and Maenam.
• Fergies Café Head Chef Austin Cunningham & Chef Jason Dabbagh (November 9) – a dynamic chef duo known for farm-to-table dishes.
• Chef Trevor Randle (November 16) – a Red Seal Chef recognized for his work in culinary education, will team up with B.C. rancher Andrea van Iterson.

Exclusive Restaurant + Bar Events

Whistler’s best-loved restaurants host over 25 unique events. While events are selling out, plenty of opportunities remain to experience the best of Whistler’s culinary talent, including:

• Chef Phillip Werner at Table Nineteen: Winemakers Dinner with Gray Monk Estate Winery for a collaborative tasting (November 10).
• A Reopening Celebration at Mekong’s Tantalus Wine Maker’s Dinner (November 14), showcasing Chef Angus An's award-winning culinary direction with Tantalus wines.
• Cornucopia is excited to welcome back Rimrock Café to the schedule with Rimrock Cafe: An Evening with Black Hills Estate Winery (November 16).

Join us this November to toast to new traditions and celebrate the best of Whistler Cornucopia. Tickets and full event details are available at whistlercornucopia.com.

Cornucopia Accommodation and Ticket Packages

Guests can lock in the best value with exclusive Cornucopia Packages, combining discounted tickets and accommodation, starting from $95 per person per night. Plus, bookings of 3+ nights receive a free $100 CAD Dining Voucher when using the promo code FALLDINING. Only available while quantities last.

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Cornucopia is an annual awakening for the epicurious—an opportunity to celebrate the bold tastes of British Columbia and beyond. Each November, culinary and drink experts from around the world bring fresh ideas, innovative tastings, creative seminars, and avant-garde entertainment in the mountains of Whistler, BC. From the event’s marquee CRUSH Grand Tasting to intimate winery dinners, Cornucopia is an open invitation to kick up the expectations of what a food and drink festival can be.

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, and whistler.com – Whistler’s official source for visitor information and booking. 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.

Media can visit whistler.com/media for Whistler facts, media releases, story starters and access to images and B-roll.

Tourism Whistler
Mary Zinck
Manager, Travel Media
T: 604.938.2702

Travel Media
+1.604.932.3928 | mediarelations@tourismwhistler.com

W: whistlercornucopia.com
I:  @whistlercornucopia
F: /WhistlerCornucopia/