There are two types of foodies who seek out the annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. Those who dream about it and those who’ve been and won’t shut up about it. As someone who finally crossed it off the bucket list (after years of quietly seething through Instagram stories) – we’re here to report – yes, it’s bougie. Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, the festivities kicked off with a massive display of sabering champagne – but most importantly – YES, it is absolutely worth it. It’s taken us a few weeks to collect my emotions regarding it even – but now, we’re ready to spill the tea.
The People
There are few occasions where you will find yourself shoulder to shoulder with world famous sommeliers, celebrity Chefs’ and local standout restaurateurs under the clear Rocky Mountain skies. In fact, it basically feels like you’re in your own personal episode of a reality cooking show on The Food Network. The festivities this year kicked off on Thursday, with parties found all over Aspen – namely the coveted AMEX Trade Party at the Ajax Hotel – lovingly described as “An Evening of Reggaeton, Vibes and Mariscos.” Full of some of the most talented chefs including Tristan Epps – Top Chef Season 22 Winner – and several of his season 22 competitors like Shuai Wang, of Charleston, South Carolina. While it feels like the opening day alone is a satisfying enough reason to make the trek – the real fun starts on Friday, where seminars are everywhere, punk rock bands are lighting up stages and celebrities suddenly become one step closer to you.
Each day you will find multiple opportunities to catch cooking and cocktail demonstrations, providing a high probability to catch a glimpse of a familiar face and maybe learn a few of your own trade secrets to take home with you – which this year included the notorious Andrew Zimmern sharing his favorite Crab Recipes for home cooking and entertaining. Colorado’s own Bobby Stuckey, The Little Nell’s favorite OG Sommelier, could be found ready to share his insight into making the most of the weekend and learning how to pace yourself within it all.
Whether you’re a chef groupie, a vino nerd, or someone who just followed the scent of truffles, there’s a rare vibe of joy and indulgence that makes it feel like summer camp for grown-ups- if the camp counselors served negroni slushies and gave seminars on dry-aged beef. Aspen is where we can all come together – be it an influencer, a mere lover of food, or even a low-key billionaire – into one fabulous fondue pot of energy.
The Food and Drink
Oh, the food. Where to even begin reminiscing on that aspect – the real reason we’re still dreaming of my weekend. Aspen Food & Wine is so much more than a “food event”. It is quite literally the Colorado version of the Met Gala for people who know what a beurre blanc is – or at least they do now. And even though we’re back in Denver – land of green chile, local beer and our own share of Michelin options – when we close our eyes our dreams are filled with champagne, the mountain air and the way the light hit that last bite of bluefin tuna like a sign from above. We’re telling you, once you’ve sipped Krug in a tent that smells faintly of seafood gumbo and bergamot – your average “wine and cheese night” back home starts to feel like a sad grocery store sampling – or a Sunday trip to Costco.
The food in Aspen is haute couture – for your mouth and for your soul. From uni toast to charred wagyu, caviar all the way to handmade burrata – every single bite was the equivalent of a mic drop. It’s the way a simple pantry staple like beans and rice suddenly became an exotic tastebud experience we had no clue existed. We can’t tell you how many times we said, “Oh, my, gosh. Best bite.” Until we had another. We tasted olive oil that we would eat without bread. Duck rillette we didn’t even know existed, and have probably developed a new addiction to amaro spritzes and a desire to seek out the funkiest goat cheese we can get our little hands on.
The wine seminars from talent such as Miles White and Femi Oyediran – of Charleston – taught us things like why acidity is sexy and how to open a bottle of bubbles without spraying the entire tent (unless that’s the vibe – I see you, Kip.) And yes, we pretended to take notes but really, we were just trying to remember how to spell “Gewürztraminer.” Every sip of wine, every espresso martini, each local spirit-based cocktail was a reminder that maybe life can be this delicious all the time. We had gin we’ve never even seen before on Kevin Costner’s Ranch while reliving high school years with the All-American Rejects playing on stage. Even more, we somehow found ourselves on a first-name basis with up-and-coming spirit brands – and we might be considering moving to the Western Slope and becoming a peach farmer.
READ: The Breckenridge Wine Classic Returns for Its Ninth Year of Wine & Adventure
So maybe you’re still asking yourself… Is it worth it? And the answer is yeah, it’s worth it. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity (maybe more if we started saving last month) to be amongst the best of the best – the top chefs in the west and beyond… gallivanting around town with celebrities and well-known restaurateurs alike. It is the ultimate opportunity to reward yourself handsomely, even if it is only one time – it’ll both satisfy you and yet leave you hungry for more all in the same final bite. Lucky for us – Breckenridge Wine Classic (August 21–23) and Denver’s OWN Food and Wine Festival (September 3– 6) are coming up – where the vibes and the cravings will come alive in full circle. Let the swirling, sipping and snacking resume – cheers, Denver! And Aspen – I’ll be back.
All photos courtesy of C2 Photography/FOOD & WINE