Chef and noted TV host Andrew Zimmern helps sabre the champagne to officially kick off the 40th annual Food & Wine Classic on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at the welcome party at the St. Regis hotel in Aspen. Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
The 40th annual Food & Wine Classic officially started on Thursday night with its invite-only welcome party at the St. Regis hotel in Aspen.
Food & Wine magazine editor Hunter Lewis, after being introduced by chef and TV personality Andrew Zimmern, gave the opening remarks. This included a special award presentation for famed celebrity chef Bobby Flay, who was named “best new chef” in 1992 but never actually got his award until Thursday.
Earlier Thursday, the Aspen Chamber Resort Association hosted its annual luncheon inside the Hotel Jerome to help kick off Food & Wine. This included a demonstration by chef Justin Chapple.
The Food & Wine Classic festivities get underway in earnest on Friday and go through Sunday afternoon around Aspen.
Photos by Austin Colbert for The Aspen Times.
Celebrity chef Bobby Flay, left, gets emotional while presented with a long overdue “best new chef” award during the Food & Wine Classic’s welcome party on Thursday at the St. Regis Aspen. As told on stage by Food & Wine magazine editor Hunter Lewis, Flay really did win this award in 1992 but, for no real reason, they decided not to actually hand out the award that year. Lewis thought it was time for Flay, one of the most beloved TV chefs, to get his recognition. Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Celebrity chef Bobby Flay, left, was presented with a long overdue “best new chef” award by former Food & Wine magazine editor Dana Cowin, middle, and current editor Hunter Lewis during the Food & Wine Classic’s welcome party on Thursday at the St. Regis Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Celebrity chef Bobby Flay shows his prize while presented with a long overdue “best new chef” award during the Food & Wine Classic’s welcome party on Thursday at the St. Regis Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Celebrity chef Bobby Flay, left, gets emotional while presented with a long overdue “best new chef” award during the Food & Wine Classic’s welcome party on Thursday at the St. Regis Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Hunter Lewis, editor-in-chief of Food & Wine magazine, makes introductions during the Food & Wine Classic’s welcome party on Thursday at the St. Regis Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
People congregate under the tent for the Food & Wine Classic welcome party on Thursday.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Australian chef Buddha Lo, who won back-to-back seasons of Top Chef, talks with guests during the Food & Wine Classic’s welcome party on Thursday at the St. Regis Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Hunter Lewis, right, the current editor-in-chief of Food & Wine magazine, introduces his predecessor, Dana Cowin, during the Food & Wine Classic’s welcome party on Thursday at the St. Regis Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Hunter Lewis, right, editor-in-chief of Food & Wine magazine, takes a photo with chef and TV personality Andrew Zimmern during the Food & Wine Classic’s welcome party on Thursday at the St. Regis Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Chef and noted TV host Andrew Zimmern makes introductions to kick off the 40th annual Food & Wine Classic on Thursday at the welcome party at the St. Regis hotel in Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Snacks served up by Australian chef Buddha Lo, who won back-to-back seasons of Top Chef, await hungry guests during the Food & Wine Classic’s welcome party on Thursday at the St. Regis Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Channing Centeno, a noted social media personality, has his photo taken during the Food & Wine Classic’s welcome party on Thursday at the St. Regis Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Some of this year’s “best new chefs” are recognized during the Food & Wine Classic’s welcome party on Thursday at the St. Regis Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Champagne is sabred to officially kick off the 40th annual Food & Wine Classic on Thursday.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Kitty, the St. Regis Aspen’s resident Bernese mountain dog, poses for photos on Thursday.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Celebrity chef Bobby Flay works his way through the crowd during the Food & Wine Classic’s welcome party on Thursday at the St. Regis Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Hunter Lewis, editor-in-chief of Food & Wine magazine, has his photo taken during the Food & Wine Classic’s welcome party on Thursday at the St. Regis Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Wine is chilled for guests during the Food & Wine Classic welcome party on Thursday.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
People congregate under the tent for the Food & Wine Classic welcome party on Thursday at the St. Regis.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Hospitality executive Gary Obligacion talks with guest during the Food & Wine welcome party on Thursday.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Ingredients for chef Ali Ghzawi’s batata harra dish awaits hungry guests during the Food & Wine Classic welcome party on Thursday at the St. Regis Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Hunter Lewis, editor-in-chief of Food & Wine magazine, makes introductions during the Food & Wine Classic’s welcome party on Thursday at the St. Regis Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Hunter Lewis, left, editor-in-chief of Food & Wine magazine, is introduced by chef and TV personality Andrew Zimmern during the Food & Wine Classic’s welcome party on Thursday at the St. Regis Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Chef Justin Chapple, who is the culinary director-at-large for Food & Wine, gives a presentation during the Aspen Chamber Resort Association’s annual kickoff luncheon ahead of the Food & Wine Classic on Thursday inside the Hotel Jerome in Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Chef Justin Chapple gives a presentation during the Aspen Chamber Resort Association’s annual kickoff luncheon ahead of the Food & Wine Classic on Thursday inside the Hotel Jerome in Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A glass is poured during the Aspen Chamber Resort Association’s annual kickoff luncheon ahead of the Food & Wine Classic on Thursday inside the Hotel Jerome in Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Katrin Naelapaa, director for Wines from Spain, gives a presentation during the Aspen Chamber Resort Association’s annual kickoff luncheon ahead of the Food & Wine Classic on Thursday in Aspen. Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Aspen Mayor Torre delivers a proclamation during the Aspen Chamber Resort Association’s annual kickoff luncheon ahead of the Food & Wine Classic on Thursday inside the Hotel Jerome in Aspen. The proclamation states that June 2023 is the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen month.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Debbie Braun of the Aspen Chamber Resort Association talks during their annual kickoff luncheon ahead of the Food & Wine Classic on Thursday inside the Hotel Jerome in Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
