An Insider's Look Into One of the Most Exclusive Food Festivals in the World
Few can make it to the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, but we want to make it like you're right there with us, so we snapped photos of all the chefs, beautiful scenery, and going-ons of the event.
— Additional reporting by Nicole IizukaSource: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE
Thursday: St. Regis Chefs Club
The sign paves the way. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE
Thursday: St. Regis Chefs Club
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
Thursday: St. Regis Chefs Club
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
Thursday: St. Regis Chefs Club
The kitchen prepped for dinner service. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Thursday: St. Regis Chefs Club
Anthony Bohlinger, mixologist and executive beverage director of the Chefs Club, whipped up his take on an old fashioned. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Thursday: Welcome Reception
Andrew Zimmern held the editor in chief of Food & Wine on the red carpet. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE
Thursday: Welcome Reception
Hugh Acheson and Andrew Zimmern walked the red carpet. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Thursday: Welcome Reception
Fan greeted Nicholas Elmi, Top Chef season 11 winner. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Thursday: Welcome Reception
A line cook for Top Chef season 10 winner Kristen Kish grilled crepes on a giant crepe griddle. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Thursday: Welcome Reception
Bart Vandaele kept cool during service. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Thursday: Eat Drink Spain
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
Thursday: Eat Drink Spain
A cook grilled up Ibérico pork ribs overlooking the beautiful Aspen mountains. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Thursday: Eat Drink Spain
Guests mixed and mingled while sipping some of Spain's finest wines and nibbling on delicious Spanish barbecue. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Thursday: Eat Drink Spain
Cheers to our fantastic host José Andrés, whose charisma easily touched every guest at the party. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Friday: Grand Tasting Tents
Let the grand tasting begin! Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Friday: Grand Tasting Tents
The Essential Pépin, signed by Jacques Pépin himself, is something all home cooks should have in their collections. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Friday: Grand Tasting Tents
Working out while making margaritas? Patrón Tequila's bicycle blender was as amusing as it was refreshing! Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Friday: Grand Tasting Tents
Charming chef Tyler Florence smiled for the camera. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Friday: Grand Tasting Tents
Whipping up Hendrick's Gin cocktails is just one of Geoffrey Zakarian's many hidden talents. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Friday: Chef Demos
Marcus Samuelsson busted out a big cast-iron pan for his demo. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE
Friday: Chef Demos
Following tradition, José Andrés invited his daughter to join him on the demo stage. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE
Friday: Chef Demos
Tyler Florence chopped up some herbs. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE
Friday: Chef Demos
Michael Symon explained the importance of seasoning. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE
Friday: Founder's Dinner
Wild foxes roamed the top of the mountain. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Friday: Founder's Dinner
Jacques Pépin led the Champagne toast on top of Aspen Mountain. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE
Friday: Founder's Dinner
Gail Simmons was just one of many celebrity chefs attending the dinner. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Friday: Founder's Dinner
Guests dined on Irish fare in the Sundeck Castle at the top of Aspen Mountain. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Saturday: Grand Tasting Tent
Wineries separated themselves from the pack by pulling out wild-looking decanters. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Saturday: Grand Tasting Tent
Paul Kahan whipped up some dishes to go alongside Goose Island beers. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Saturday: Grand Tasting Tent
Top Chef judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons signed books next to season 11 winner Nicholas Elmi. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Saturday: Grand Tasting Tent
Scott Conant served a Mediterranean octopus dish and chatted with fans. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Saturday: Chef Demos
Carla Hall, famous for her quirky facial expressions, kept the audience laughing while she blended her soup. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE
Saturday: Q & A Session
Ali Larter and Giada De Laurentiis took questions from the audience. Many (not surprisingly) asked about their beauty regimes. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Saturday: Wonderland at the Classic
Chefs Richard Blais, Alex Stupak, Grant Achatz, and Jonathan Waxman toasted before service. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE
Saturday: Wonderland at the Classic
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
Saturday: Wonderland at the Classic
The balloons were the biggest hit at the party, making Grant Achatz one happy chef. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Sunday: The Classic Cook-Off
Curtis Stone and his expecting wife participated in a cook-off competition against Tyler Florence. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE
Sunday: The Classic Cook-Off
Tyler Florence concentrated deeply while garnishing his dish. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE
Sunday: The Classic Cook-Off
Audience members (including celebrity chefs) voted for their favorite using a black spatula and a red bottle opener. Source: Galdones Photography / FOOD & WINE