Whistler is renowned for hosting one of B.C.'s biggest wine and food celebrations - Cornucopia.
From Nov. 6 to 16, locals and tourists will converge on this world class ski destination to indulge in great wines and savour the cuisine of award-winning chefs during the 18th annual fête.
There's another side to this culinary and wine extravaganza that is starting to gather a lot of buzz. With the proliferation and popularity of television's cooking shows, they've come up with a new reason to visit Whistler during Cornucopia - interactive hands-on cooking seminars that will nourish your body as well as your mind.
New this year, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler's culinary team, along with its sommeliers, has created memorable, fun classes that both amateurs and food aficionados can participate in, where students have an opportunity to learn the secrets of internationally acclaimed chefs. Although cooking demonstrations have been going on for years at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, this is the first time during Cornucopia.
The idea behind The Art of Holiday Cooking seminars, says chef de cuisine Kreg Graham is to teach guests how to save time in the kitchen during holiday gatherings and spend more time enjoying their soiree.
"We will teach different techniques, offer tips and help guests plan their Christmas menus," he says. "Each seminar will be paired with wines. Our sommeliers will be choosing the perfect wines for each dish and seminar."
During each Lunch and Learn session, everything from what pots to use to cooking techniques will be addressed. Best of all, attendees will get to partake in some tasty creations, sip on fabulous wines and go home armed with recipes.
Anyone passionate about cheese, wine and bread will be drawn to the Art of Festive Fondues.
"We will use emmental cheese for the base, gruyere for texture and we will layer it with really good quality smoked apple wood cheddar and bacon," says Graham.
The wine-paired menu will include Chinois (brothbased), and of course, the ever-popular chocolate dessert fondue.
For those with a serious sweet tooth, the hotel's pastry chef Laurent Bernard will be hosting The Art of Edible Centerpieces and The Art of Unusual Pairings - Chocolate with Beer. Local craft beer experts will be on hand to demonstrate why combining chocolate with beer isn't such an odd coupling after all.
"I've never taught beer and chocolate pairings before but I'm sure we will have lots of fun playing with beer and different chocolates," says Bernard.
As far as the edible centerpieces, the veteran pastry chef will share his tricks of the trade on how to create beautiful but simple centerpieces.
"We will use lots of strawberries, chocolate bears and reindeers - people love Those," adds the French born pastry chef who was taught by European master bakers. "We will also make chocolate lollipops. It's a lot of fun and it's really nice to wow your guests with a centrepiece that not only tastes great but one you made yourself."
In the end, these seminars are all about getting the host and hostess to spend more time sharing the holiday season with their guests rather than in the kitchen.
Chef de cuisine Kreg Graham offers up some great tips for the perfect holiday turkey:
— Brine your turkey. Using a simple solution of salt, sugar, spices, herbs and water, brine your turkey for 24 hours. It keeps your bird moist and it will burst with flavour.
— Fresh is always best. A good quality fresh turkey makes a world of difference. Free range is even better.
— If you must buy a frozen bird, make sure the skin is dry before you cook it.
The art of the holidays
The Art of the Holidays cooking seminars take place at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler on the weekend of Nov. 15 and 16.
How-to demonstrations include: The Art of Festive Fondues; The Art of Unusual Pairings -Chocolate with Beer; The Art of Holiday Cocktails -Mixology Master Class; The Art of Edible Centrepieces; The Art of Holiday Cooking -Interactive Cooking Demonstration and Festive Feast.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit fairmont.com/whistler/special-offers/holidayoffers/whistler-cornucopiaevents/ or email [email protected].
