Mountain Mayhem: Wining and dining at The Classic
May Selby/Courtesy photo
The annual 2025 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen descended upon town, from June 20 to 22, with grand tastings, private parties, seminars, and more.
Aspen Magazine kicked off the weekend on Wednesday with a rooftop party at the Aspen Art Museum, with food stations, cocktail bars, passed drinks, and a conversation with publisher Alan Klein and current cover star Antoni Porowski, “Queer Eye’s” food and wine expert.
On Thursday, the Aspen Chamber Resort Association’s annual luncheon at Hotel Jerome featured L’Ecole Winery No 41 and an Aplos functional beverage experience led by Lynette Marrerro.
As an IYKYK insider invite, Kenichi Aspen popped up with a midday event serving complimentary sake in a box and hand rolls in the outdoor space of their restaurant on East Hopkins — one of my faves of the weekend!
Hotel Jerome hosted a Gather in the Garden party to benefit the LA Fire Relief Efforts with celebrated chefs Ludo LeFebvre, Mattia Agazzi, and Neal Fraser (as well as a series of special dinners and tastings throughout the weekend).
AMEX Trade’s patio party at Ajax Tavern is always a hit, and this year, it took on a Reggaeton theme with DJ SU$$IE. Tray passed frozen palomas and N/A Horchatas greeted guests at the door complemented by quesadillas, flautas, sopes, and more.
Friday featured a flurry of events including importer and distributor Frederick Wildman’s midday event at Matsuhisa with select wines and spirits complemented by sushi bites. Avaline, Cameron Diaz’s rosé, offered poolside pours at The Little Nell, while Minuty had a pink party above at Ajax Tavern. Las Montañas welcomed The Texas Legends and Wildcatters back for their Texas-sized soirée with roasted suckling pig carnitas, tacos, and margaritas. Downstairs at Campo di Fiori was a grand party with bruschetta, chianti, and more. Across the street, Hai Sí hosted a media preview party with Pantalones Tequila, a master calligrapher, and live chain stitching.
Saturday saw a string of events including Poolboy Tacos and Suerte Tequila collaborating on a rooftop fiesta at The W with a DJ and an energetic vibe, bites, and drinks. Larry McGuire and Tom Moorman of MML Hospitality hosted an intimate gathering at Clark’s Oyster Bar with champagne, burgers, and caviar to welcome Chef April Bloomfield to their team.
That night OpenTable’s Champagne & Sushi Party — always a coveted invite — spotlighted DJ Brother Luck and an array of delicious bites and flutes of bubbles.
Hotel Jerome’s brunch with PopUp Bagels from New York served as the ideal Sunday morning recovery.
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