The Perfect Weekend at Cochon555
Experience a whole weekend of unforgettable culinary events with talented local and international chefs.
This April, discover the delights of Banff and Lake Louise with delicious culinary events, sunny days of world-class skiing, and winter activities in spectacular scenery. Cochon555 is the perfect culinary celebration to embrace Banff as it comes alive for another spring.
Kick off the excitement on Friday with long table dinners at some of Banff and Lake Louise’s best restaurants. Our incredible local chefs have been paired with guest chefs such as Anita Lo (Top Chef Master, Chopped: All Stars, Iron Chef) and Darren MacLean (The Final Table), to collaborate on a multi-course menu to create an unforgettable dining experience. Each plate will highlight local flavours of the region, brought to their fullest potential by each chef’s distinct skills. A communal dining layout heightens the experience as you discover new tastes and flavours alongside your fellow culinary explorers. This journey will be shared alongside the chefs, ready to present, describe, and discuss each serving.
The following morning, it’s time to venture out and explore the backyard of Banff and Lake Louise - the stunning Canadian Rockies. With three accessible ski resorts and unique winter activities to enjoy, the sky’s the limit on how to create your own story with these mountains. Take in the views from atop a summit with the Banff Gondola, or discover a surreal world of ice at Johnston Canyon. At day’s end, the main event, Cochon555, will satiate your well-earned appetite.
Continue your culinary tour of Banff National Park the following Sunday morning. Treat your taste buds to the best local brunch spots, all sure to provide the same caliber of craft on their menus. Highlighting locally-sourced ingredients and traditional fare, this weekend will feature a well-rounded repertoire of the best in local Canadian cuisine.
Check out The Ultimate Foodie Weekend at Cochon555 blog to start planning your weekend.
Collaborative Dinners
We have invited some extraordinarily talented chefs for a series of collaborative dinners at local restaurants.
Chef Anita Lo (Iron Chef Winner, Top Chef Master) is one of the notable chefs that will be working with a top local chef to showcase their best savoury servings with multi-course menus.
Cochon555
Imagine an elaborate 40-course, stand-up, sustainable dinner featuring wine, craft beer and spirits; where you get to help pick the best bite from five competing chefs.
Created in 2008 in response to the lack of education around heritage breed pigs, Cochon555 is a nose-to-tail culinary event taking place in nine North American cities. Banff is the only stop in Canada, taking pride in shining the spotlight on the farmers and chefs that push the boundaries to support safe, honest and delicious food experiences.
At the main "throwdown" hosted at the renowned Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, 5 notable chefs will compete to win the title of “Princess/Prince of Pork”. Each tasked with the challenge of winning votes from celebrity judges, the participating chefs have one week to prepare a 200 pound pig and present a “Judge’s Plate” of up to six dishes which is scored on utilization; technique; and overall flavour. Guests also get a chance to vote for the “Best Bite of the Day”. The winner of the local competition advances to the epic national finale, the Grand Cochon, held in Chicago in September.
Rounding out the evening, foodies can indulge in a diverse collection of tastings, including:
- Artisan cheese bar
- Dessert bar
- Alberta spirits cart
Visit the official Cochon555 website
Ticket Information
General Admission and VIP tickets on sale now.
Collaborative Dinners
Tickets and hotel packages on sale soon.
Cochon555
General Admission - $135 + tax
General Admission gets you into the main event. Your ticket includes:
- 25+ courses of pork-based dishes, originating from five responsibly raised heritage breed pigs
- Endless rounds of beverages from local breweries, distilleries, and wineries
- Access to 10+ mouth-watering food stations
VIP Access - $195 + tax - Sold Out
VIP Access lets you start celebrating an hour early. Your ticket includes all of the above and allows you to get up close with chefs, winemakers and farmers who make it all happen. Chefs will serve up two preview dishes to entice your palette while professional bartenders and sommeliers bring their best game forward with specialty cocktail punches and reserve wines.
Please note: Individual VIP tickets are sold out. VIP tickets are still available through hotel packages.
Hotel Packages
If you're planning to attend one of these exciting food events in Banff and Lake Louise, you'll want a place that's going to be the perfect mountain retreat.
Cochon555 Hotel Packages
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Enjoy a luxury stay at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, the host venue for Cochon555 Banff. General Admission and VIP packages available.
Moose Hotel & Suites
Stay in the heart of downtown Banff at the Moose Hotel & Suites. General Admission and VIP packages available.
Banff Ptarmigan Inn
Enjoy mountain views at the Banff Ptarmigan Inn, only steps away from downtown Banff. General Admission and VIP packages available.
Hotels in Banff and Lake Louise
Find other great hotel options in Banff and Lake Louise.
Meet the Chefs
Five talented chefs are selected to compete at Cochon555 Banff. The winner advances to the national finale, Grand Cochon, in September. Each chef is paired with an Alberta farm who will be providing them with a 200 pound pig to create their dishes for the event.
The following chefs have been selected to compete and create a nose-to-tail tasting menu from an entire heritage pig in the 2019 event.
JF Fortin - Fairview Restaurant & Bar | Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Born and raised in Quebec, Chef Fortin brings a unique Quebec flair, passion for good food and culinary innovation to Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. With a passion for providing guests with an authentically local and sustainable dining experience, Chef Fortin aspires to build strong relationships with regional farmers, artisans, and purveyors.
Rory Germain - Saltlik
Starting his career in New Zealand, Chef Germain honed his culinary skills overseas before moving to western Canada and working for several top restaurants in Ontario. After hearing about the culinary excitement growing in Banff, he relocated to the Rocky Mountains to work at Saltlik. He is thrilled to have the opportunity to return to competitive cooking and participate in the Cochon555 culinary competition.
Christian Gosselin - 1888 Chop House | Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
With over 20 years of culinary experience, serving the past 4 years as Executive Sous Chef of Fairmont Banff Springs, Chef Gosselin oversess 11 restaurants including 1888 Chop House. His childhood growing up on a farm developed an admiration for local farmers and the animals they raise which is showcased in every menu he creates.
Scott Hergott - Sky Bistro | Banff Gondola
Chef Hergott, an Ontario native, started his career in Banff at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel where he worked his way through several outlets over 18 years. In 2018, Cher Hergott became the Executive Chef at the Banff Gondola where he has created a new culinary experience at Sky Bistro and Northern Lights.
Chris Thomson - La Terrazza | Banff Park Lodge
Chef Thomson has built a solid 25-year culinary career at the Rimrock Resort, Delta Bow Valley in Calgary, Delta Lodge in Kananaskis, and most recently at the helm of the Banff Park Lodge culinary team. He is no stranger to culinary competitions having competed in the World Culinary Olympics and Global Chefs Challenge. He has a passion for implementing a farm-to-fork philosophy and is excited to reignite his competitive zeal and bring this experience to the Cochon555 competition.
