Christmas in November

I had the amazing opportunity to attend Christmas in November on behalf of Gastropost (Postmedia).  My job was to cover the event as I experienced it, and now I’m going to share some highlights of the event with you!

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This past weekend I had the amazing opportunity to attend Christmas in November at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Jasper, Alberta.  Christmas in November has been a tradition at the lodge for the past 27 years, and I finally got to go and experience it myself for the first time!  This fabulous weekend is filled with delicious meals, fun and interactive food classes where you can cook with celebrity chefs, get tips on Christmas crafting and decorating, take in the stunning scenery, festive Christmas decor and just have a tonne of fun!  It really is a fantastic way to kick off the holiday season, in one of the most beautiful places on earth!

As soon as you arrive at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge you are met with the smell of a wood burning fire, and the sounds of Christmas music playing softly in the background.  Then you are greeted by warm and friendly staff who are placing eggnog in your hand and directing you to your registration package, while you watch and listen to live music from The Willows.  There is no doubt at this point that Christmas in November is going to be amazing.  I think I walked to my room with a smile on my face the entire time.

Right away I was mesmerized by all of the festive holiday decor around the lodge.  The staircases are wrapped in garland, fireplaces are blazing with wood burning fires, Christmas trees are decorated, the wreaths are hung.

Basically everywhere you look it’s Christmas and it’s lovely.

One of the most pretty features at the lodge was the pool.  I kept going out to the deck to look at it because not only did it smell like a spa, but the turquoise colour of the water against the trees and sky just drew me in, and it was especially gorgeous at night!

And the views…oh my the views out there are incredible.  Every chance I got I tried to walk around the grounds to take in the scenery, because nothing beats our Rocky Mountains during the winter.  While I was there, winter was slowly trying to arrive and we were lucky enough to see the grounds covered in a fresh snowfall.  One morning I could barely believe my eyes when I looked out my window and saw that the world had been transformed into a winter wonderland.  I grabbed my winter coat and camera then went for a walk…it was so beautiful I could hardly believe it!  I think I took over 100 photos, I just couldn’t stop!

And now let’s just talk about the food for a minute.  There is SO much food at Christmas in November, and you’re going to leave stuffed as a meatball.  In fact, you’re pretty much going to be eating ALL THE TIME.  Not only will you get to sample food inside the sessions, but outside of the sessions you will be feasting on big, delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners. At one point during the weekend we were even treated to milk and cookies delivered to our rooms!  SO much food, and it’s fabulous!  Don’t forget your stretchy pants, you’re going to need them!

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If you want to capture a glimpse into the sessions I attended, I linked them all up here…when you read the posts you will get a really good sense of what to expect.  I’m also sharing recipes from the sessions I attended so go over and get those too!

Dinner with Chef Mossimo Capra  //

Boozy Baked Desserts with Chef Pierre A. Lamielle

Classic Christmas Recipes with Julie Van Rosendaal & Elizabeth Chorney-Booth  //

Christmas at the Cottage with Nik Manojlovich

In The Kitchen with Anna & Michael Olson //

Chef Roger Mooking  //

Christmas Baking with Elizabeth Baird & Emily Richards

This event is extraordinary, it truly is.  Not only is the setting amazing, but the food is incredible (I had the best ravioli of my life), the Christmas decor is gorgeous, the sessions are fun and inspiring as are all the presenters and chefs.  If you ever have the chance to attend Christmas in November you really should.  I can’t wait to go back!

A big thank you to Gastropost and Postmedia for hosting me at this years Christmas in November!