
I recently had the wonderful opportunity to experience in VIP style one of North America’s most exciting epic culinary events Cochon555 Banff as it made it’s way to one of the world’s most awe-inspiring mountain destinations Banff Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada.
THE DESTINATION: BANFF & LAKE LOUISE, ALBERTA
It’s no wonder the first Canadian debut of this event was hosted by Banff National Park, one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations known for mountainous surroundings, hot springs and extensive outdoor sports such as hiking, biking, scrambling and skiing.
For me, Banff is a only a quick 1.5 hour drive from door to door but other foodie fans from all over North America travelled to this park to take in pristine wilderness and breathtaking sights while surrounded by vibrant history and culture.
Banff & Lake Louise Tourism/Paula Zizka Photography
Photo by Reuben Krabbe
Banff & Lake Louise Tourism / Paul Zizka Photography.
Banff & Lake Louise Tourism / Jake Dyson
Banff & Lake Louise Tourism / Paul Zizka Photography.
Banff & Lake Louise Tourism / Paul Zizka Photography.
When I asked what inspired Banff and Cochon555 to partner together, Angela Anderson of Banff & Lake Louise Tourism said, “With Banff National Park’s diverse, inspired, and dynamic food scene, it becomes the ideal host to Cochon555’s debut in Canada. With the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs hotel as its location, the event is going to fuse together incredible chef talent, the highest-quality Albertan produce, and prominent sommeliers and distillers from the region, to deliver a vibrant feast experience. To be the first Canadian destination to be added to the Cochon555 Tour, was an exciting opportunity for the wildly successful culinary competition and foodie event to take on a truly Canadian flavour”.
Brady Lowe, founder of Cochon555, who after the event stayed on to experience skiing at the mountain resort says he was thrilled to choose Banff as one of it’s stops during the annual North American city tour as it has always been on his travel bucket list.
THE EVENT: COCHON555
The mission of Cochon555 is to provide education to chefs and consumers so guests can experience honest food from real farmers. The goal is to raise the bar on building a sustainable and profitable relationship for brands and chefs participating in culinary festivals.
That beautiful Saturday morning we drove out to the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs hotel where Banff & Lake Louise Tourism and Cochon555 invited ticket holders to experience 5 chefs competing to best prepare and present one whole heritage bred pig sourced responsibly provided by 5 local farmers. Hundreds of foodies feasted on a Saturday afternoon for 3-4 hours on 1,500 pounds of heritage-bred pork and more local culinary creations where more than 35 courses were served while enjoying wine and local craft beer.
“We are excited about Banff and Lake Louise because of its extraordinary setting, progressive food culture and Alberta’s rich agricultural tradition, bounty, and care,” says Brady Lowe of Cochon555. “This event combines education and innovation in support of preserving the North American way of family farming. The impact is local, but it is also about the future – we want our children to be able to enjoy safer, more honest, and delicious food for years to come.”
GALDONES†PHOTOGRAPHY/COCHON555
GALDONES†PHOTOGRAPHY/COCHON555
Banff & Lake Louise Tourism/COCHON555
THE 5 CHEFS AND 5 PIGS
5 local chefs are tasked with creating approximately 5 dishes each utilizing snout-to-tail cuts of heritage breed pigs sourced by 5 local farms. The chefs and farmers below teamed up to participate in the Cochon555 Banff competition.
COCHON555 BANFF CHEFS & FARMERS
Host Chef JW Foster of The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and its Vermillion Room Brasserie & Bar teamed with Country Accent Heritage Breeds
Chef Shelley Robinson of the Banff Hospitality Collective teamed with Sunhaven Farms
Co-Chefs Connie DeSousa and John Jackson of CHARCUT and Charbar teamed with Broek Pork Acres
Chef Randy Luft of the Rimrock Resort Hotel teamed with Bear and the Flower Farm
Chef Matthias Fong of River Cafe teamed with Nature’s Green Acres
THE WINNING CHEF: CHEF JW FOSTER
The winning “Prince or Princess of Pork” from the Banff competition advances to the North American finale: Grand Cochon. This head-to-tail, winner-takes-all showdown for the crown is hosted in Chicago on September 30 and sees 11 chefs compete.
Congratulations to Chef JW the winner of Cochon555 Banff 2018. His dishes that won the votes were as follows:
“Pop-Tart-Tin” – Back-Fat Pastry with Braised Apple, Maple-Bourbon Glaze and Smoked Bacon Candy Sprinkles
“Cuts and Glory” – Offal and House Sausage Haggis, Man’s Egg and Bier Mustard and Brain Aioli
“Piggy in the Park” – Ball Park Salsa Verde Tamale, Pork Fat, Popcorn Lime Zest and Smoked Cholula Charon
“Mexican Carnivale” – Pork Loin Salsa Verde Tamale, Pork Fat, Popcorn Lime Zest and Smoked Cholula Charon
“Hog in the Broth” – Hock and Head Bone Bamboo Ash Wonton Soup with Lemongrass and Ginger Dumplings, Shitake Mushroom, Fried Egg Noodel and Scallion
“Eat Me Irish Coffee” – Espresso-Dark Chocolate Blood Brownie and Bailey’s Irish Cream & Blood Truffle served on a stick
Banff & Lake Louise Tourism/COCHON555
For more information, check out websites for Banff Lake Louise for tourism information, and Cochon555 for upcoming North American tour destinations.
*This post was in partnership with Banff Lake Louise and Cochon555. All opinions are my own.
Daisy
Wow what absolutely amazing and beautiful photographs! This looks like such an amazing and gorgeous place to visit.
Sandy
Thank you Daisy. Banff is truly an amazing place and I am so lucky to live close by!
Natalia
I love the pictures you presented in this post. The picturesque landscapes and the food event sound just awesome! It must have been exciting to take part in something like that. I love food and everything related to it! 🙂
Sandy
Hi Natalia, it truly was a memorable experience!
Nellwyn
This sounds like an amazing event, I love foodie things like that! I really want to visit Banff and Lake Louise one day, it looks so beautiful!
Sandy
Yes you should definitely come visit – it will be so worthwhile!
Tiffany
What a wonderful trip love the pics!
Sandy
Thanks it will be a forever memorable trip!
Brandi Michel
This trip looks amazing. Those photos are breathtaking!!
Sandy
Thanks Brandi – it was an amazing experience for sure.
Abhinav Singh
I am a mountain person and I will make sure that I visit this place at least once in my life! It is simply gorgeous!
Sandy
The Canadian Rockies are so breathtaking so definitely a must see. You will not be disappointed!
Clarice Lao | Camping for Women
OMG! This place is beautiful + your photos are stunning. You are lucky to have attended the Conchon555. It is very interesting.
Sandy
I agree the photos are stunning – credit goes to the professional photographers noted.
Nives
Looks like a wonderful trip and the pictures are amazing!
Zoë
It’s great that they are promoting sustainable living!
Ana
WOW! Just breath-taking photographs and scrumptious looking delicacies. I would love to visit an exciting event like this one. Thanks so much for sharing!
Lee
You are so lucky! Lake Louise is on my travel bucklist! It is so beautiful there.
Lee
Sandy
I am very grateful to live so close by in Calgary just a short drive away! Sometimes I forget how lovely it is to be neighbours to this mountainous resort!
Jen
The food spread here is amazing! Looks like a bucket list place to visit!
Sandy
The spread was definitely remarkable!
Sharon
Talk about a foodie and adventure lovers paradise! The photos of the view are breathtaking and the food looks so delicious. What a great trip!
Sandy
You’ve described it on point Sharon! It was like paradise!
adriana
What an incredible spot to visit! It’s definitely on my list! These pictures are so stunning!
Sandy
It really is a spectacular destination worth visiting!
Jazz
This looks like a DREAMY trip! Food and fabulous scenery–what more could a girl want?
Sandy
Exactly! A destination foodie event !
candy
Wow what a drop dead beautiful place to go and visit. Everything is so breath taking. The food looks out of this world delicious.
Sandy
Banff Lake Louise is so breathtaking – it should be on everyone’s bucket list !
Shay
Sounds like an amazing trip! Love the pictures they’re gorgeous!
Kanishka Acharya
The dishes are so amazing! Mouthwatering! It is really essential to keep reminding the younger generations of the importance of authentic farm-based food! Great event…
Sandy
Education is essential for sure! The dishes all tasted as good as it looks in the photos!
jehava
This is so amazingly beautiful! I would love to visit!
Beth Eaton
What a gorgeous place!!! I’d love to be able to visit someday 🙂
rebekah
HOW FUN! Looks like an amazing trip & I need to visit Banff.
Tom
I’ve always had a soft spot for the Canadian wilderness but those images are something else! What a setting and view. Bucket list updated!
Niki at Toot's Mom is Tired
Wow I bet all of that food was amazing! Great photos. Absolutely gorgeous!
Luci
That looks like a really beautiful place and a lot of delicious food.
Reese Woods
The views of landscaping alone are absolutely stunning! I think this place needs to go on my travel bucket list!
Leigh Suznovich
Oh my gosh, this looks like a foodie and nature lovers complete paradise! The pictures are absolutely gorgeous, I’m super envious of the food. Need to get here someday!!
Sandy
Its a beautiful place worth visiting for sure – I really hope you get a chance to!
Linette
These images are amazing! They literally makes me want to get on a plane and visit. Wonderful post!
Sandy
Hi Linette, you really should visit sometime. It will be well worth it!
Carmen Edelson
What a beautiful winter wonderland! I’d LOVE to go here next year for the snow 🙂
Melanie
I have been over to Canada. Such a beautiful and picturesque place x
kara
wow this place looks absolutely stunning! I’ve always wanted to visit Alberta!
Amanda
what an amazing opportunity! Looks like you had a great time. That scenery is so beautiful!!
Annemarie LeBlanc
The foodie event was exciting, and to have it in a place with fantastic views is fantastic. I have not been to Alberta yet, but I sure would love to!
Sandy
yes it was truly amazing to be able to experience the amazing food in a beautiful setting
Stephanie
Such amazing photography, everything looks so beautiful!
Sandy
Thank you all the credit goes to Banff Lake Louise and Cochon555 !
Nives
Looks like a new thing on my bucket list. Totally adorable and stunning! Thanks! 🙂
Patricia G.
What a beautiful place to have this event! The food and the scenery sound amazing! I would love to visit Alberta someday. I love the mountainous backdrop at Lake Louise, Alberta, especially!