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Celebrate Cornucopia's 20th Anniversary with a trip to Whistler

For food and wine lovers, Whistler's 20th Annual Cornucopia Festival presented by BlueShore Financial is the perfect November get-away. Find great hotel deals and indulge in all the fun of Cornucopia.

For food and wine lovers, Whistler's 20th Annual Cornucopia Festival presented by BlueShore Financial is the perfect November get-away. Find great hotel deals and indulge in all the fun of Cornucopia. The festival takes place over two weeks from November 10th to November 20th, 2016. With over 150 events there is something for everyone. Find our highlights below and plan your trip now before tickets sell-out.

Photo Courtesy: Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Since the very beginning, The Crush Grand Tasting has been a signature event of the festival allowing guests to discover the world of wine. This year over 80 wineries are participating. Enjoy a fabulous evening of sipping and swirling. (Sat. November 12, 8:30pm-11:00pm, $89) For wine connoisseurs, The Cellar Door Tasting  showcases the very best of the festival's fine wines. Discover hidden gems to add to your cellar collection. (Fri. November 11, 8pm-11pm, $120)

Love to eat and drink? Try these returning signature events. Head to the Cornucopia Night Market: Taste the World, a grazing event featuring street style inspired cuisine from around the globe, paired with a variety of wine, beer and spirit tastings. (Fri. November 18, 8:00pm-11:00pm, $49) For oyster lovers, The Bearfoot Bistro’s Annual World Oyster Invitational and Bloody Caesar Battle is not to be missed. With wine, beer and caesar tastings this promises to be a shuck’ng good time. (Sun. November 20, 3pm-7pm, $98) 

Over 40 drink seminars are happening thru-out the festival. Taste a variety of wines and spirits while hearing from the experts, winemakers and owners. Highlights include A 500 Year History of Gin, BC Craft Beer & Cheese, Great Value Rhone Wines, Single Malt Seduction, Wine & Chocolate, and the Chardonnay Pajama Party(See website under Drink Seminars for dates and details. Prices from $40+)

Image result for audain museum, photosTake a break from eating and drinking and head to Whistler's newly opened Audain Art Museum, simply a must visit. Open daily during the festival from 10am-5pm. (Admission: $18) Or break the bank and purchase a ticket to Cornucopia's Artistic Expression being held at the Audain to celebrate and showcase the best of BC's visual and culinary arts. An exclusive evening hosted by Michael Audain and Yoshiko Karasawa  (Sat. Nov. 19th, $500-$1000) 

For those who love to cook or dream of having a private chef, the Chef's Table Luncheons are a highlight of the festival. Meet at the Conference Centre at 11:45am and be whisked away for a  lunch in one of Whistler's luxurious chalets hosted by a top chef. Locations are kept secret until  arrival. Highlights include David Hawksworth (Sat. November 19, $128) and Minami's chef Alan Ferrer (Sun. November 20, $128).

Impress your date by making a reservation for one of the many special wine-paired evenings happening at Whistler's best restaurants. Highlights include: Fairmont Chateau Whistler with Tinhorn Creek Winery (Sat. November 12, 6pm-10pm, $199), Araxi Restaurant with Burrowing Owl Winery  (Mon. November 14, 6pm-9pm, $149), Red Door Bistro with Tightrope Winery (Wed. November 16, 6:30pm-11:00pm, $170) and Rimrock Cafe: California Outer Limits (Fri. November 18, $175).

Eat your dessert! Indulge your sweet-tooth at the Barefoot Bistro's Tasting Extravaganza featuring 4 courses of heavenly desserts. (Fri. November 11, 10pm-12am, $85).

For champagne and bubble lovers, kick off the morning with Bubbles and Brunch at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. (Sun. November 13, 11:30am-3pm, $79) Enjoy drink seminars dedicated exclusively to bubbles including Bubble-icious with Daenna Van Mulligen (Sun. November 13, 11am-12:30pm, $32) or Bubbly Cocktails-the Life of the Party (Sat. November 19, 11am-12:30pm, $42).  Aprés is a Whistler tradition,  head to SideCut Modern Steak Bar for a late-afternoon of champagne and poutine. (Various dates, 3pm-6pm, $50)

The hidden gem of the festival, The Culinary Stage Series at Cornucopia offers outstanding value. Each chef will prepare three to four courses live on the Culinary Stage. Guests  enjoy tasting each dish along with  chosen alcohol pairings. Held on Sat. November 12, Sun. November 13th and Saturday, November 19th. Tickets only $42. See the full chef line-up here.

As the saying goes, the key to making good wine  is really good beer.  Relax and enjoy a cleansing ale or two at the BC Craft Breweries Guild Winter Beer Festival with over 80 craft breweries participating.  (Fri. November 18, 2pm-5pm, $39)

See you in Whistler!