For 11-days this November, Cornucopia returns to Whistler to celebrate food + drink in style. We were invited to the Chef Table Luncheon: Wildebeest. The beautiful private residence in which we were hosted overlooked the pine trees of Kadenwood in Whistler, BC.

What stood out to me is how the wines were perfect for each course. I may have just heard this hear say with another media member, but she mentioned how they crafted the courses around the wine versus the other way around. Siren’s Call is one of my go-tos now for what to serve with dinner.

Our first course were Heirloom Beets. Hay-toasted water buffalo ricotta, spiced maple granola, radish, rainbow carrots and lovage. This dish was sweet and palate cleansing. Served with Siren’s Call Grüner Veltliner 2015, the wine was crisp and astringent with light florals which paired almost like a dressing as you sipped it with the dish.

Smoked Duck. Cashel blue, trailing blackberry, sheep sorrel. As a note, I do not usually eat duck. The salt texture is almost like a thick cut of prosciutto, the blackberries cut the mouth feel of the cheese and the duck Served with the Harmonious 2015, the wine was caramelly, full bodied, and tasted of red fruit. This helped cleanse the palate and leave a bright finish after you were finished.

Salt Spring Island Mussels. Cornhusk velouté, paprika, bronze fennel, torn bread. This was my favourite dish. The mussels were served in a warm, creamy velouté and the bread is the centrepiece that gave the dish a crispy finish. Served with the Viognier 2017, which tasted like apricot with a little rubbery mouthfeel.

Game Pithivier. Pickled morels, red cabbage purée, huckleberry jus. I learnt that this word is a fancy one for a venison meat pie. Delicious! Paired with the Syrah 2016, which had full-bodied tannin, almost a buttery popcorn taste, it paired with the delicious pie shell of this pithivier.

After our lunch, we waited on the hill for our shuttle, looking at a six storey mansion in construction next door and wondered what the grande residence would look like finished. What a beautiful place Kadenwood was, the perfect setting for such an elegant affair.

For more information on Whistler Cornucopia, check out their website here: https://whistlercornucopia.com/