Mountain Mayhem: Winding through Food & Wine
May Selby/Courtesy photo
Throughout the 41st annual Food & Wine Classic with happenings overlapping all over town, I found it most effective to plot my route one day at a time. I met a woman named Francine partway through the weekend and again near the end, and we compared notes and photos from what we’d experienced thus far. Surprisingly, our only intersections were those two moments as we’d followed entirely different paths, and both had meaningful takeaways from each occasion. Some of my most memorable stops included:
Thursday —
Chefs Cedric and Ochi Vongerichten, known for their French-Indonesian restaurants, as well as Ezra William hosted a Sneak Peak Cocktail Party at the site of their under-renovation restaurant, Wayan Aspen, that will open shortly at 614 East Cooper Avenue with partner Raphael Derly.
Aspen Magazine hosted its 50th-anniversary party at Doerr Hosier Pavilion at the Aspen Meadows. The glossy mag’s golden celebration featured a culinary demo by Iron Chef Justin Sutherland, a performance by Grammy-nominated artist Jewel, and a welcome from Modern Luxury publisher Alan Klein who paid tribute to the lovely Ernie Ashley who founded the magazine back in 1974 and was in attendance looking radiant in blue and rather spry at 89 years young.
American Express presented a Middle Eastern Feast on the patio at Ajax Tavern with Chef Ayesha Nurdjaja and wines by Carlin Karr, Femi Oyediron, June Rodil, Bobby Stuckey, and Miles White. It is truly a gathering of industry stars under the twinkling lights.
Friday —
Catch was the setting of Jardín de Rosa with fine champagne and spirits on the restaurant’s rooftop. The most incredible rice cakes left an impression among the passed apps; making floral arrangements with Julia Rosa of New York City made for a great souvenir; and tastings from Codigo Tequila, Sainte Marguerite en Provence Rose, Perrier-Jouët Champagne, Ojo de Tigre Mezcal, and more — all which added flair.
The Hotel Jerome continued its Epicurean Passport weekend with multiple events including an Elevated Hoops all-star basketball tournament on a custom 3×3 half-court with chefs and vintners, as well as a special performance by DanceAspen.
The Texas Legends and Wildcatters party presented by MML Hospitality and Panacea Collective returned with a bang, taking place at Las Montañas, with Ranch Waters flowing. I toasted with fellow host Greg Haynes Johnson in honor of the late Kevin Williamson, founder of my favorite beverage and a former co-host of this event. Legends and guest chefs also included Autumn Rich, TJ Mathias, Kristina Weiss, Larry McGuire, Tom Moorman, Chris Shepherd, Saera Mardanbigi, Edgar Rico, and Lou Lambert.
Actress Gal Gadot enjoyed specialty cocktails made with the locally-crafted Aspen Vodka at their Garnish Garden Cocktail Party in the courtyard at Hotel Jerome. Guests were invited to explore innovative uses of botanicals in vodka cocktails, paired with avant-garde culinary creations that highlighted modernism and innovation.
Saturday —
Learning started early with a 10 a.m. seminar with Mark Oldman centered around “Aspen Wine Camp,” with a crash course on eight of the world’s best special occasion wines. He politely pitted half of the tent against the other, dividing the audience into two groups — Napa vs. Bordeaux — with sabering and poiron challenges, and plenty of merch like collectible sweatbands and pins.
A highlight at The Grand Tastings was meeting Carmelo Anthony and trying his Ode to Soul wine with Robert Mondavi, a red blend with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Also seeing the numerous local vendors present and participating among the international, domestic, and regional brands. From Colorado Mountain College to Afternoon Deelites ice cream, it added a community connection with up to 50 vendors in total taking part.
ASPENX partnered with Brady Lowe of Taste Network to present Global Fire at the Smuggler Mine, in support of Aspen Public Radio. At the heart of the celebration was the art of live-fire cooking, an ancient technique reborn through the hands of James Beard Award-winning chefs and Michelin-starred restaurants. Lowe noted, “The ASPENX Global Fire event was a wild success. We are already planning for the return of Global Fire for years to come, continuing to foster community and sustainability at the forefront.”
Sunday —
Aspen Meadows Resort hosted its third annual Juneteenth Celebration in the afternoon at West End Social with music from DJ Doughboy and a brunch-inspired menu. Sponsored by the award-winning Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, which honors the world’s first-known African American master distiller, Nearest Green, the event was also supported by Equiano Rum, Sorel Hibiscus Liqueur, LS Cream Liqueur, and Hella Cocktail Co. — all of which are minority-owned.
That’s a wrap on part of my weekend. Next, I’m looking forward to potentially participating in the first-ever Food & Wine Classic Charleston from Sept. 27-29 presented by Explore Charleston. Learn more here at foodandwineclassicincharleston.com.
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