JASPER - Have you been to Christmas in November (CIN) at Jasper Park Lodge (JPL), and if not, what are you waiting for? The 33rd edition of this uber-popular signature event is coming soon, and with a slate of new presenters and early-bird pricing, now's the time to book. Gather your mom, your sister, your girlfriends and check out the offerings for the 2023 event.
Packages start at $1,499 plus GST per person, which isn't cheap, but it's a special, all-inclusive event. I've been a couple times before and hope to go again, this time with a couple sisters in tow. Some people make it an annual tradition leading up to the holidays, but it's a wonderful one-time treat too. All packages include three nights' accommodation and all breakfasts lunches and dinners, plus a welcome gift, craft and food workshops, a silly sweater reception, gala dinner with live entertainment and a dazzling Christmas farewell brunch.
Dates for this year's CIN are November 3-6, November 6-9, November 9-12. Take note: early bird pricing packages are available until July 1, 2023.
This year's presenter lineup includes several new faces, joining familiar favourites:
o Bonnie Stern and Anna Rupert – Mother-Daughter duo, Bonnie Stern is the founder of the Bonnie Stern School of Cooking in Toronto, which she operated from 1973 to 2011. She has studied and taught cooking around the world, hosted three national cooking shows, and for 17 years, wrote a weekly column for the National Post. She has conducted popular workshops for the James Beard Foundation in New York City and leads culinary tours to various delicious destinations. In 2021, Bonnie was inducted into the Taste Canada Hall of Fame. Anna, Bonnie’s daughter, has been cooking with Bonnie since she was able to sit on the kitchen counter and hold a wooden spoon. Together, in 2022, they released the bestseller, “Don’t Worry, Just Cook”
o David Adjey - After graduating at the top of his class from the Culinary Institute of America in New York, David was jet setting all over the continent cooking and creating culinary masterpieces in some of the most celebrated kitchens in both Canada and the US. David has enjoyed a very fruitful “Food Network” television career, including hit shows: Restaurant Makeover, Iron Chef America, and his own show, The Opener. He was also the former cook for the Royal Family of Indonesia.
o John Higgins – John Higgins has enjoyed an illustrious career in the culinary industry, including two years at Buckingham Palace and on the Royal Yacht “Britannia”, cooking for Queen Elizabeth. Chef Higgins has won many international and national awards including: the Mouton Cadet Menu Competition award, “Chef of the Year” by The Escoffier Chef’s Society, winner of The “Master Foods Chef’s Olympic Challenge”, and winner of the “Great Canadian Chefs Cooking Competition”.
o Elia Herrera - Elia is a third-generation Mexican Chef with classical training as a pastry chef working her way through Spain, France, Italy, and Belgium at some of the world’s top restaurants. You may recognize Chef Elia Herrera as she was a contestant on Top Chef Canada and Top Chef Mexico. Chef Elia Herrera recently opened “Milpa” restaurant in Calgary to rave reviews. She is also owner and operator of “Colibri” and “Tecolote” restaurants in Toronto.
o Jacqueline Jacek - founder of award-winning JACEK Chocolate Couture in Edmonton, has over 15 years in the chocolate industry. She is one of Canada’s top experts and more than qualified to answer all your burning questions about chocolate!
o Winnie Chen - Winnie is partner and exec chef here at Fu’s Repair Shop, recently named the best new restaurant in Edmonton by Edify magazine, and long-listed for EnRoute magazine’s “Canada’s Best New Restaurants”! Winnie started cooking professionally at 19 years old and has participated in many culinary competitions, events, and festivals. She encourages her team to enjoy the social side of the art that comes with the intense, but rewarding, life in the kitchen.
These amazing talents join long-time CIN presenters and favourites including:
o Anna & Michael Olson – Food Network
o Nik Manojlovich – Weekend at the Cottage
o Emily Richards – Canadian Living
o Micah Dew – Maker’s Mark Diplomat
o Michael Allemeier – Food Network & Master Chef
o Mark Kondrat – Alberta Beer Festivals
o Peter Keith – Meuwly’s Charcuterie
o Chris Standring – Home Décor & Crafting
o Marna Praill – Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge’s grounds superintendent and in-house florist
