At nearly 8,000 feet above sea level sits a town, known for its glamorous Hollywood clientele and five star ski resorts: Aspen, Colorado. Celebrities’ favourite winter destination is just as exciting in the summer season, offering a range of outdoor activities amongst the beautiful mountain scenery. The Food and Wine festival has returned this June to Aspen for three days of gastronomic experiences with world famous chefs and wine experts.

The Aspen Food and Wine Classic is an annual three-day weekend event where culinary celebrities from all over the world come to lead cooking demonstrations, wine seminars and discuss food trends. The event is held in various spots of the chic and opulent Aspen.

Demonstrations and panel talks are spread around luxurious hotels, art museums and restaurants to get a taste of the best Aspen has to offer. Guests of the event can head to the Grand Tasting Pavillion to sample delicacies and spirits prepared by the experts of the industry and sign their favourite cookbooks by their authors.

The history of the festival began when an Aspen wine shop owner and his friends decided to organise an event to bring customers back to the town during off-ski season times. Gary Plumley and his friends had decided to invite winemakers and teach guests how to pair desserts and different foods with different sorts of wine.

At first, the event hardly reached 300 attendees. Shortly after it started gaining public attention, it was later on rebranded by Food & Wine, which sponsored the event in 1986.The magazine started bringing the first generation of celebrity chefs after the food and wine revolution in America and soon enough became one of the leading food and wine events in the country. The festival attracts more than 5,000 guests each year and typically sells out during spring.

Celebrity chefs

For those looking to immerse themselves fully into the Food and Wine Classic experience, the event also offers a Platinum Pass which includes invitations to exclusive late-night parties with the stars, luxury hotel accommodation and more VIP benefits. The event partners with the popular American TV production “Top Chef”.

Winners of the show will be preparing delicious meals and taking pictures with their admirers in the beautiful outdoor settings. Previous chef stars to attend the festival have been: Jamie Oliver, Martha Stewart, Jacques Pépin and Wolfgang Puck.

Activities

Another treat for the attendees of the festival is the music programme featuring popular bands and musicians. After a day full of tasting foreign cuisines and spirits in the open air, guests can enjoy a night on the dancefloor with their favourite celebrity chef stars, raising a toast to a successful weekend of celebration.

If exploring the nightlife is not on your agenda during the weekend, the 5K Charity Run may be of interest to you. Celebrity chefs and wine experts join together to raise funds and support disadvantaged members of the community and provide them with access to healthy food choices.

Networking at The Food & Wine Classic

The networking part of the festival is just another great reason to consider attending the Aspen Food and Wine festival. Attendees can meet in person the greatest culinary leaders, learn how to pair different foods and drinks first hand from experts and share ideas. The greatest asset of this event and especially after a difficult period for the whole world is the art of giving.

Food is meant to nourish and sustain us, however it is also a way to express love and care for each other. Sharing and giving food is an important component to our physical and emotional connection with the world. It inspires us to do good, help those in need and express gratitude.

The Aspen Food and Wine Classic is sure to continue bringing food enthusiasts and wine lovers together, ever since its start in 1983. This is an experience of celebration, education and giving back to the community and the magic happens in a spectacular picturesque setting.

Tasting variety of award-winning French wines while soaking up the sun at the top of the mountain is just a glimpse of the experience at the Food and Wine festival. Discover delicious food combinations, exquisite spirits and create unforgettable moments to last you through the rest of the year, until it is time for the next summer Food and Wine Classic in Aspen..