July 25, 2008

Canadian National Barbeque Championships Fires Up At Dusty's August 2-3, 2008

Ravenswood "Pork & Cork" Classic the newest edition to event line-up, offering over $15,000 cash prizes in total

The Canadian National Barbeque Championships return for their eighth year at Dusty's in Whistler August 1-3, 2008. Already the highlight of the Pacific Northwest competitive BBQ circuit, the BBQ Championships are adding a new event this year called the "Pork and Cork." Competitors in various events at the Canadian National Barbeque Championships have the chance to win over $15,000 in cash and prizes as well as entry to the American Royal World Championships in Kansas City or the Jack Daniel's World Championship Barbeque event in Lynchburg, Tennessee.

"This is the eighth year we've held the BBQ Championships in Whistler, at Dusty's and each year it has grown bigger and better and tastier," says Joshua Kearns, Dusty's Manager at Whistler Blackcomb. "It's a great way to spend a weekend in Whistler with friends or family; there's great food, lots to see and do and it's just an all around good time."

The BBQ gets fired up Friday evening with a Whole Hog Demonstration. From 7pm spectators are privy to the secrets of whole hog BBQ'ing and receive an advance ticket to Saturday night's Whole Hog Feed. Saturday is Local's BBQ Day that features five main competition categories: Chili, Budweiser King of the Grill, Backyard Burger, Pork and Cork Classic and Cocktail Contest. Capping off the weekend is the main event on Sunday where top chefs from all over North America compete for the honour of Canadian BBQ Champion 2008 and an invitation to the World Championships in Lynchburg, Tennessee.

New this year is the Ravenswood Cork & Pork Classic taking place Sunday, August 3. Designed to test the ability of competitors to make the perfect match between BBQ pork butt and Ravenswood's legendary Zinfandel wine, each team will receive a bottle of Ravenswood Zinfandel wine to use as they wish. Entry fee is included if already registered in another category, and $35.00 to compete in the Cork & Pork Classic exclusively.

Judges will score entries with 25 per cent weighted on presentation and 75 per cent flavour pairing with Ravenswood Zinfandel wine. The winner will be rewarded with a trip for two to the Napa Valley for a wine tour of Vincor Wines. The prize has an estimated value of 3,000 dollars. More infomation at www.whistlerblackcomb.com/bbq

If interested in taking part, sampling-wise, guests can make a five dollar donation to Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of Canada, granting finger-licking-good access to some of the best BBQ in the world. Live entertainment will be featured all day and night during the Championships with Big John and the Voodoo Dollz the main act on Saturday night.  Cover is eight dollars and can be purchased at Dusty's.

Also taking place August 3 is the Taste of British Columbia Summer Gala at the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain. Offering food and fun galore this August long weekend in Whistler, the Taste of BC features wine from Vineyards and Ranch Islands.  Wine is paired with organic cuisine served in the Roundhouse Lodge at 6,069 feet. Tickets and more information can be found at www.whistlerblackcomb.com/todo/events/detail/gala.

Consistently ranked as North America's top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb elevates summer adventure to new heights. On-Mountain activities include high alpine hiking and sightseeing via the Peak Chair on Whistler, epic riding in North America's number one ranked lift-accessed mountain bike park, and summer skiing and riding on Blackcomb's Horstman Glacier. In the valley, sparkling mountain lakes and beaches, four championship golf courses, and Whistler's vibrant pedestrian village filled with restaurants, patios, cafés, shops, galleries and spas are all surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Whistler Blackcomb continues to raise the level of mountain excitement for its guests, introducing a world-record breaking Peak to Peak Gondola connecting Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain's alpine. Opening December 2008, the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola will revolutionize the winter skiing and riding as well as summer sightseeing and alpine hiking experience. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver up the spectacular Sea to Sky Highway, this four season resort is truly spectacular by nature. Check it out at www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

About Intrawest ULC
Intrawest is a world leader in experiential destination resorts.  The company has interests in ten resorts at North America's most popular mountain destinations including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.  The Intrawest network also includes Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest—a private resort club with locations throughout North America.   In addition, Intrawest develops real estate at its resorts and at other locations across North America and in Europe.  Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, visit www.intrawest.com

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