Cochon555 Culinary Weekend is a “nose-to-tail” culinary event that will be taking place in the town of Banff from Friday, April 5th to Sunday, April 7th. The main event consists of a large dinner and culinary competition featuring heritage breed pork, but there is plenty to do all weekend long, including long-table dinners presented by international chefs, delectable brunches at some of Banff’s best restaurants, and outings to some of the most breathtakingly scenic spots on earth.

Banff & Lake Louise Tourism introduced the Cochon555 Culinary Weekend in order to create awareness of and interest in the local food scene. What makes this event even more special is that Banff is the only Canadian stop on the Cochon555 tour. The tour began in Dallas in February and will end in Chicago in the late fall, stopping at seven other North American cities along the way.

Cochon555 was born out of organizers’ passion for educating the public about heritage breed pigs and the ethical and sustainable manner in which they are farmed. It aims to connect buyers and chefs with family farmers who are committed to making food sustainable, safe, nutritious, and delicious. The Cochon555 culinary event uses only high-quality and responsibly sourced products and ingredients, helping to create strong relationships between like-minded chefs and brands.

On the first day of the Cochon555 event, many local restaurants will be hosting collaborative dinners with visiting chefs. Look forward to multi-course menus featuring dishes that highlight the flavours of the surrounding region. The communal dining layouts will allow all participating culinary explorers to discover their dishes alongside the chefs that prepared them.

The main event of Cochon555 will be held from 5 pm to 7:30 pm at the Fairmont Banff Springs on April 6th. That means you have the day to explore the park and check out top tourist spots such as Johnston Canyon and the Banff Gondola. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, come and enjoy an elaborate, 40-course dinner with 1,500 pounds of pork and all of the locally brewed craft beer you could want. The main event will feature culinary creations from five competing chefs, and the winner will advance to the Grand Cochon national finale.

The final day of the Cochon555 Culinary Weekend presents a great opportunity to check out some local brunch spots offering locally sourced ingredients and highlighting traditional dishes. Once you’ve had your fill, you can enjoy an afternoon walk down Main Street, across the river, and to the stunning Bow Falls viewpoint.

If you plan to stay in Banff for the weekend during the Cochon555 event, then you can take advantage of hotel packages being offered by the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel or by Moose Hotel & Suites, if you’d like to be closer to town. There is no shortage of additional accommodation options in Banff, and April is a great time of year in terms of price and availability.

No matter where you choose to stay or how many days of the Cochon555 Culinary Weekend you decide to attend, it will likely be one of the most unique culinary events you’ve ever experienced. Make sure to mark your calendar and start planning your trip.