Event Description
Mexico’s Pacific coast meets the waters of British Columbia in this vibrant culinary experience led by Chef Luis Valenzuela.
At the centre of the event is Chef Luis’s Santa Madre–style Pescado Zarandeado: beautiful B.C. fish prepared with chile adobo, cooked and served with charred salsa verde, a crisp fresh salad and warm corn tortillas. Bold, smoky and bright, the dish captures the generous, uncomplicated spirit of coastal Mexican cooking—where exceptional ingredients are all that is needed to create something unforgettable.
Throughout the demonstration, Chef Luis will share the flavours and techniques that give this iconic dish its character. Guests will discover how different chiles build depth rather than simply heat, how a well-balanced adobo enhances delicate fish, and how charring ingredients transforms a salsa verde. He will also explore the role fire plays in Mexican cooking and offer practical tips for preparing and serving fish with confidence at home.
For Chef Luis, this dish is deeply personal: an opportunity to bring the food traditions of Mexico’s Pacific coast together with the outstanding seafood available here in British Columbia. It is also an invitation to experience the way fish is best enjoyed in Mexico—gathered around the table, tucked into corn tortillas and finished with as much fresh salsa as you please.
This is more than a cooking demonstration; it is a relaxed, engaging opportunity to watch an accomplished chef at work, taste a dish rooted in tradition and discover approachable ideas that can bring greater colour, balance and excitement to your own home kitchen.
Fresh, lively and full of flavour, this event is the perfect way to begin the week. Join Chef Luis Valenzuela for a delicious celebration of two coastlines, connected through fire, flavour and a shared respect for exceptional local ingredients.
Menu
1st Course
Roasted Corn & Poblano Soup
Cilantro Oil · Toasted Pepitas · Chile
2nd Course
Mushroom & Huitlacoche Tetela
Corn Masa · Cheese · Salsa Verde · Crema
3rd Course
Pacific Coast Pescado Zarandeado
Chile-Marinated B.C. Fish · Corn Tortilla · Charred Salsa Verde · Pickled Onion · Lime
4th Course
Pastel de Elote Mexican Sweet Corn Cake · Cajeta · Crema
Put simply, the Culinary Stage Series is like being in the audience of a live cooking show, and you get to enjoy the food creations - complete with drink pairings. The series features local and national chefs, producers and beverage professionals to provide attendees the chance to learn their cooking tips and tricks, and enjoy multi-course, drink-paired menus.
*Menu subject to change
Room set-up/format: Sit down service. Small plates with select beverages
Attire: Casual, comfortable
Policies
Once purchased, tickets are non-refundable. This is a 19+ event, therefore children will not be admitted. Due to liquor licensing, the Whistler Conference Centre cannot allow people under the age of 19 in any part of the building for the duration of the Cornucopia event.