Foodie Fetes in the Mountains
Vancouver Sun
What do you get when you combine a mountainous bounty of local ingredients with culinary genius? Bon vivant heaven!
One of the wonderful things about summer (aside from that great tan) is the abundance of regional vegetables and fruits that sprout from the rich Coast Mountain soil.
To celebrate the harvests, gastronomic events have popped up in Whistler and Pemberton in spades, all honoring indigenous produce and protein during the dog days of summer.
This year, Whistler’s renowned Araxi Restaurant is one of the first to throw out their rhetorical picnic blanket. On Saturday, August 3, they will host a “Longtable Dinner” at Lost Lake. Dining al fresco begins with cocktails at 3pm lakeside, compliments of Pemberton Distillery. An informal but elegantly served dinner will follow, paired with Quail's Gate Wines. A second Longtable is scheduled in Pemberton for August 17. araxi.com
Also on August 3, Feast in the Mountains (in partnership with Wanderlust), will be blowing culinary minds in the soft grass of Whistler Olympic Plaza. Showcasing BC’s culinary prowess, Feast in the Mountains will offer wonderful samplings of gourmet local food prepared by some of Whistler’s finest restaurants and chefs. Come with an empty belly. 5 – 8pm feastinthemountains.com
Known for its ideal microclimate for cultivating vegetables/fruit, Pemberton is throwing a party of its own. In the spirit of agronomy, Pemberton’s Slow Food Cycle Sunday is on August 18th. “A pedal-powered trip through the natural buffet that is Pemberton Meadows Farmland,” Slow Food Cycle is many things, including a sensory smorgasbord, a scenic bike ride, and an opportunity for folks to spend the day in the country. Farms will be open from 8am – 3pm. slowfoodcyclesunday.com
Other foodie favorites include the always-popular Mountaintop BBQ at the Roundhouse on Whistler Mountain. Whole hogs, slow roasted prime rib, and vast seafood spreads make these summer weekend celebrations quintessentially Whistler. In addition to deliciousness, the Mountaintop BBQ also serves up breathtaking views and live music! Evenings, Friday – Sunday, until Sept 7. whistlerblackcomb.com
The beloved Whistler Farmers Market wraps it up with the perfect combination of food and fun. The open-air, semiweekly market offers artisan delicacies, local art and jammin’ entertainment. Whether you’re looking for something fresh and fabulous to cook for dinner, or a mouth-watering meal to eat right at the Blackcomb base, you’ll find it at Whistler Farmers Market. Sundays 11 – 4pm, Wednesdays 3 – 7pm whistlerfarmersmarket.org
So, pack your bag, grab your sunscreen and head up Highway 99 to get the grub while the gettin’s good. Your tummy will thank you!