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

The sign paves the way.

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Don't know much about the Best New Chefs of 2014? Pick up a copy of Food & Wine's July issue.

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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.

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

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Andrew Zimmern held the editor in chief of Food & Wine on the red carpet.

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Hugh Acheson and Andrew Zimmern walked the red carpet.

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Fan greeted Nicholas Elmi, Top Chef season 11 winner.

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A line cook for Top Chef season 10 winner Kristen Kish grilled crepes on a giant crepe griddle.

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

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A cook grilled up Ibérico pork ribs overlooking the beautiful Aspen mountains.

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Guests mixed and mingled while sipping some of Spain's finest wines and nibbling on delicious Spanish barbecue.

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Let the grand tasting begin!

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The Essential Pépin, signed by Jacques Pépin himself, is something all home cooks should have in their collections.

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Whipping up Hendrick's Gin cocktails is just one of Geoffrey Zakarian's many hidden talents.

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Marcus Samuelsson busted out a big cast-iron pan for his demo.

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Following tradition, José Andrés invited his daughter to join him on the demo stage.

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Tyler Florence chopped up some herbs.

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Wild foxes roamed the top of the mountain.

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Jacques Pépin led the Champagne toast on top of Aspen Mountain.

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Guests dined on Irish fare in the Sundeck Castle at the top of Aspen Mountain.

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Paul Kahan whipped up some dishes to go alongside Goose Island beers.

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Top Chef judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons signed books next to season 11 winner Nicholas Elmi.

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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.

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Curtis Stone and his expecting wife participated in a cook-off competition against Tyler Florence.

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Tyler Florence concentrated deeply while garnishing his dish.

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Audience members (including celebrity chefs) voted for their favorite using a black spatula and a red bottle opener.

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