An Insider's Look Into One of the Most Exclusive Food Festivals in the World

The sign paves the way. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE

Don't know much about the Best New Chefs of 2014? Pick up a copy of Food & Wine's July issue. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE

Class of 2013 Best New Chefs Michael Hudman and Matthew Gaudet enjoyed a glass of wine at the St. Regis Chefs Club. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

The kitchen prepped for dinner service. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Anthony Bohlinger, mixologist and executive beverage director of the Chefs Club, whipped up his take on an old fashioned. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Andrew Zimmern held the editor in chief of Food & Wine on the red carpet. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE

Hugh Acheson and Andrew Zimmern walked the red carpet. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Fan greeted Nicholas Elmi, Top Chef season 11 winner. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

A line cook for Top Chef season 10 winner Kristen Kish grilled crepes on a giant crepe griddle. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Bart Vandaele kept cool during service. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Marcus Samuelsson chatted with us about his favorite bites at the José Andrés party. The winner? Freshly shucked oysters from Rappahannock. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

A cook grilled up Ibérico pork ribs overlooking the beautiful Aspen mountains. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Guests mixed and mingled while sipping some of Spain's finest wines and nibbling on delicious Spanish barbecue. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Cheers to our fantastic host José Andrés, whose charisma easily touched every guest at the party. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Let the grand tasting begin! Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

The Essential Pépin, signed by Jacques Pépin himself, is something all home cooks should have in their collections. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Working out while making margaritas? Patrón Tequila's bicycle blender was as amusing as it was refreshing! Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Charming chef Tyler Florence smiled for the camera. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Whipping up Hendrick's Gin cocktails is just one of Geoffrey Zakarian's many hidden talents. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Marcus Samuelsson busted out a big cast-iron pan for his demo. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE

Following tradition, José Andrés invited his daughter to join him on the demo stage. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE

Tyler Florence chopped up some herbs. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE

Michael Symon explained the importance of seasoning. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE

Wild foxes roamed the top of the mountain. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Jacques Pépin led the Champagne toast on top of Aspen Mountain. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE

Gail Simmons was just one of many celebrity chefs attending the dinner. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Guests dined on Irish fare in the Sundeck Castle at the top of Aspen Mountain. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Wineries separated themselves from the pack by pulling out wild-looking decanters. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Paul Kahan whipped up some dishes to go alongside Goose Island beers. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Top Chef judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons signed books next to season 11 winner Nicholas Elmi. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Scott Conant served a Mediterranean octopus dish and chatted with fans. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Carla Hall, famous for her quirky facial expressions, kept the audience laughing while she blended her soup. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE

Ali Larter and Giada De Laurentiis took questions from the audience. Many (not surprisingly) asked about their beauty regimes. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Chefs Richard Blais, Alex Stupak, Grant Achatz, and Jonathan Waxman toasted before service. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE

Grant Achatz and Mike Bagale of Alinea filled edible balloons with helium and sealed them with gummy sugar string. We videoed the experience of eating one. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

The balloons were the biggest hit at the party, making Grant Achatz one happy chef. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Curtis Stone and his expecting wife participated in a cook-off competition against Tyler Florence. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE

Tyler Florence concentrated deeply while garnishing his dish. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE

Audience members (including celebrity chefs) voted for their favorite using a black spatula and a red bottle opener. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE