The Food & Wine Classic in Aspen is back June 19–21, taking over Aspen for three days of next-level indulgence. Now in its 43rd year, this isn’t just another food festival—it’s the culinary event of the summer, where big-name chefs, industry insiders and serious food lovers collide at 8,000 feet.
Come Hungry, Leave Inspired (and Maybe a Little Buzzed)
We’re talking 80+ events, from cooking demos to wine seminars to panel conversations that feel more like insider group chats than lectures. Add in five Grand Tastings—aka your chance to sample bites and sips from 150+ chefs, winemakers and brands—and you’ve got a weekend that’s basically one long, delicious flex.
Even better: every cooking demo now includes a tasting.
The Lineup Is Stacked
The talent roster reads like your dream dinner party guest list. Think Bobby Flay bringing the heat, Maneet Chauhanserving bold flavors and Andrew Zimmern doing what he does best—pushing palates.
You’ll also catch rising names and first-time speakers, which is part of the magic here: Aspen isn’t just about who’s famous—it’s about who’s next.
Expect sessions that tap directly into what people are actually eating (and posting) right now. Wagyu breakdowns, Champagne pairings with fried chicken, next-level sandwiches and globally inspired comfort food all make the cut.
Complete programming is now available online for guests to view. Highlights include:
- 20 cooking demonstrations, including the yet-to-be-announced winner of Bravo’s Top Chef Season 23, teaching cooking techniques and ingredient mastery. For the first time, every cooking demonstration will offer a tasting for attendees.
- Over 50 wine, cocktail, and beverage seminars, plus Victoria James and Chef SK Kim of COQODAQ, one of New York’s most sought-after reservations, bring the restaurant’s magic to Aspen with Bubble & Crunch: A Champagne & Fried Chicken Marriage Made in Heaven.
- Trend-driven sessions including The Way of Wagyu: Secrets of the World’s Most Coveted Steaks with Tyler Florence, and Steak-Out with Bobby Flay; Cooking the Borderlands: Vibrant Recipes from the U.S.-Mexico Border with Claudette Zepeda on her forthcoming book; a masterclass in katsu sandos with chef Shota Nakajima and sandwich-pro Owen Han; and Rip, Dip, and Dunk: Homemade Flatbreads and the World’s Best Dinner Party Dips with Ayesha Nurdjaja. In addition, LA hot spot Max & Helen’s will host a demo featuring Nancy Silverton, Phil Rosenthal, Lily Rosenthal-Royal, and Mason Royal.
- New for 2026, Alpine Escapes allows passholders to register for small group activities throughout Aspen, including yoga, a soundbath experience, hiking and meditation.
- The iconic Grand Tasting Pavilion opens for five sessions throughout the weekend, showcasing over 150 producers and culinary brands, including the 2025 Food & Wine Best New Chefs area, featuring direct access to some of the industry’s most exciting emerging talent in American restaurants.
- New this year, Food & Wine brings its longest-standing accolade—Best New Chefs—to the stage with a first-ever branded program led by 1990 F&W Best New Chef Nancy Silverton, featuring a demo revisiting dishes from her award year.
- Food & Wine: The Wine Bar, a pop-up activation curated by Food & Wine editors showcasing their favorite products, drinks, chefs, and recipes.
Aspen, But Make It a Wellness Weekend Too
New this year, Alpine Escapes lets you step away from the Champagne tent and into the mountains with curated experiences like hiking, yoga and meditation. It’s a very Colorado reminder that yes, you can drink wine all day and still make it to a sound bath.
Where the Industry Actually Talks Shop
While most people come to eat and drink, there’s a whole other side to the weekend happening behind the scenes.
The revamped American Express x Resy Trade Program—powered by Food & Wine Pro—is where chefs, operators, and hospitality pros get real about the business. Hosted at the Aspen Art Museum, it’s less fluff, more future-of-the-industry energy.
Why It Still Hits Every Year
There’s a reason this thing has lasted over four decades. The Food & Wine Classic in Aspen isn’t just about what’s on the plate—it’s about what’s next. Trends start here. Collaborations happen here. And if you’re paying attention, you’ll leave knowing exactly where food culture is headed.
Or at the very least, with a new favorite wine and a group chat full of “we need to go back next year.”