The Acclaimed Aspen FOOD & WINE Classic Returns for its 37th Year in June

Food & Wine Classic

The Classic truly brings the best of the best within the food and wine worlds presented to the public during this exclusive event. This year’s Classic runs June 14 to 16, and the event hosts renowned talent such as Jacques Pépin, Stephanie Izard, Hugh Acheson, Bobby Stuckey and Andy Chabot. As always, guests can count on more than 300 wines, luxury lifestyle brand activations and dishes from FOOD & WINE’s Best New Chefs.

Hosting more than 80 cooking demonstrations and wine seminars during the weekend, a fabulous feature for FOOD & WINE Classic pass holders is the opportunity to sign up in advance for their preferred demonstrations and/or wine seminars. Guests get to choose one favorite on Friday, three on Saturday and one more on Sunday. We recommend you visit the Consumer Seminars page as soon as you get your pass to ensure your spot at your preferred seminars.

Food & Wine Classic

A few of our favorites include “A Meal from Provence – Jacques & Claudine Pépin” and “Mediterranean Cheeses & Wines—Bobby Stuckey & Laura Werlin” held both Friday and Saturday. We love Saturday’s “Marcus’ Home Party—

Marcus Samuelsson,” “Summer Herbs: Maximizing Flavor—Alex Guarnaschelli,” and “Italian Happy Hour Cocktails—Anthony Giglio” and on both Saturday and Sunday “The Best of Vintage Champagne—Shayn Bjornholm” and “Napa Valley Meets Sonoma County—Leslie Sbrocco.”

Photo by Natalie Van Doninick / Shutterstock

The Classic is set in a picturesque park (on grass so wear appropriate footwear) at the base of Aspen Mountain in the heart of the city. Parking and free shuttle busses are fairly easy to locate, and the city will be full of activity, shopping, events and excitement. The iconic Maroon Bells are just 10 miles outside of town, so visitors can easily take an afternoon to see those majestic mountains and make the weekend even more enviable. Or perhaps enjoy a serene spa day at one of the high-end hotels or take advantage of one of Aspen’s oxygen or IV bars after all that high-altitude partying. Keep in mind the altitude in Aspen is 8,000 feet—much more than a mile high—so staying hydrated is a must.

Surrounding the Classic is a host of events and parties to attend presented by FOOD & WINE and American Express. The festivities kick off early Friday morning at Rio Grande Park with a Celebrity Chef Charity 5k run and continue into the night with Geoffrey Zakarian’s Last Call dance party featuring signature Lamb’s Club menu items and craft cocktails. (Tickets exclusively for purchase by American Express cardholders). Sunday concludes with a Farewell Feast at Hotel Jerome where the editors from FOOD & WINE will reveal their list of America’s Best New Restaurants, while guests enjoy an incredible tasting from the winners. Check back on their events page as more will be added.

Food & Wine Classic

A three-day pass is $1,700, and it always sells out. In our world, it’s totally worth it. For an extra-elevated FOOD & WINE experience, consider the Grow for Good Pass for $4,000. Grow for Good is a national initiative dedicated to supporting epicurean related causes benefitting Wholesome Wave and the Jacques Pépin Foundation. This upgraded pass option includes all standard consumer pass benefits plus the following: FOOD & WINE will donate $500 for each pass sold to Wholesome Wave and the Jacques Pépin Foundation. It also includes an invitation to the Classic Welcome Reception, tickets to FOOD & WINE evening events, and VIP access to seminars and Grand Tastings.

This incredible culinary event is unlike any other and remains a classic after 37 years for good reason. Be sure to purchase your passes before they sell out and reserve your seminars, hotels and travel arrangements asap. For information about lodging in and around Aspen, please call Stay Aspen Snowmass at 877.900.9463.