Experiential vacations are spilling over into the culinary world. No longer is it enough to have a divine meal, one must be a part of the process; food is now more than just taste - it's an experience. Below are some of the innovative ways hotels and restaurants are allowing guests to take part in their offerings, from a foraging mixology experience to spa scrubs plucked directly from a local garden.
The Carneros Inn
The Carneros Inn is an authentic luxury resort in the heart of Napa Valley. The culinary team at The Carneros Inn takes full advantage of the finest local, organic and sustainably raised ingredients at all of their dining establishments (FARM, Boonfly Café, Hilltop Dining Room) – sourcing most of their ingredients from the expansive on-property “chef’s garden.” In addition, the resort is debuting a new mixology experience that involves foraging for ingredients on-grounds:
- The Carneros Inn Foraging "Gather and Garnish" Mixology Experience: A curated experience allowing guests to forage for their own ingredients (Herbs, garnishes, fruits etc.) in the garden and bring them back to the bar at Farm for a personal lesson from the head bartender on how to create a signature cocktail using fresh ingredients. One of the wackiest ingredients ever utilized was a quail egg, which was picked up and used for a whiskey cocktail called The Carnivore.
Four Seasons Resort & Residences Whistler
On Canada’s breathtaking west coast, just north of Vancouver, Four Seasons Resort & Residences Whistler takes advantage of the Pemberton Valley's agricultural bounty with an array of local-based culinary experiences.
- The Locavore Experience – The ultimate local culinary adventure, the Locavore Experience transports guests from the farm to the table – in person. Participants will go on chef-led tours of local farms, pick fresh produce and enjoy personal cooking lessons by culinary experts. The package includes bikes or luxury transportation, a stop at the renowned Pemberton Distillery and personalized wine pairings to go along with the hand-picked meal.
- Heli-Fishing Experience – Guests will from fly from Whistler to the Lillooet River or the Fraser River via helicopter. Upon arrival at the heli-pad on the beach, they will be met by their guide(s) with river jet boats to travel the rivers in search of their catch. Most of the fishing is done from the boats and the catch can be brought back to Chef at the Four Seasons for a culinary experience of learning and cooking.
Four Seasons Resort & Residences Vail
Four Seasons Resort & Residences Vail is a luxury mountain retreat ideally situated at the main entry to Vail Village, a short walk from the base of Vail Mountain. The resort’s signature restaurant, Flame, is a modern mountain steakhouse that utilizes fresh ingredients grown in the chef’s personal garden just behind the hotel.
- Scrubs and Cocktails Foraging Experience: Using fresh herbs locally sourced from the garden, guests will help create homemade scrubs and matching cocktails. This is a seasonal offering; below are some examples:
- Spearmint scrub and a Mojito
- Chocolate mint scrub and Chocolate Mint and Tarragon Smash made with the Four Seasons Vail Eagle Rare Bourbon
- Rosemary scrub and a Rosemary and Heirloom Tomato Tonic with The Botanist Gin
- Game Night at Feast by Flame – A local game meat experience - guests can pick their meat (Veal, Venison, Boar, Bison, Cow), choose a cut and get a butchery lesson from the chef (learn where it comes from/the “how–to”); participants will learn the best ways to grill their selection and then will take it back to the “Feast Table” to create their own game meat dish.
The Vines Resort & Spa
Surrounded by The Vines of Mendoza’s pristine vineyards, The Vines Resort & Spa offers laid-back luxury coupled with world-class service and authentic Argentine culture. The Vines Resort & Spa’s signature restaurant, Siete Fuegos, or, “seven fires,” is run by internationally acclaimed Argentine chef Francis Mallmann, who utilizes a honed collection of open-flame cooking techniques. Siete Fuegos features seasonally changing menus offering inventive dishes using locally-sourced ingredients, many of which are plucked directly from the robust on-site garden and braised on the chef’s open fire.
- Private Chef’s Garden Dining Experience at The Vines’ Siete Fuegos: This experience involves an intimate dinner amongst the vineyards and culinary gardens at The Vines Resort & Spa. A private chef will be on-hand to prepare a custom Argentine meal, sourcing fresh ingredients directly from the adjacent chef’s gardens and incorporating them into dishes, cooking them right in front of guests on an open flame. Guests can choose from a robust selection of 450 of Argentina's finest wines to complement each dish.
