Aspen: A Recipe for the Sweet Life
Anyone who loves food, wine and decadent desserts must be in Aspen the week of June 15th-17th to join the Food & Wine Classic as it celebrates its thirtieth year exploring new foods and creating fantastic food trends. As with every year, the Food & Wine Classic will host the best of the best in the food industry. Once again top name chefs will offer classes and seminars in which they will share the secrets of their trade. Because the Food & Wine Classic loves fresh and wholesome food so very much, in addition to learning about new techniques of preparation and tasting new foods, the Food & Wine Classic always reminds its visitors and chefs to support local growers and good food production practices. The exciting schedule combined with the warm weather and the Aspen ambiance will create the perfect recipe for the best Food & Classic yet.
Courses of particular interest on this year’s schedule vary from Asian BBQ with Ming Tsai, Knife Skills 101 with Bob Kramer, South American Smack down: Argentina vs. Chile, Meatless Mondays with Michael Symon, to Stellar Sakes. Sessions are broken down throughout the day, with ample breaks between session to grab another bite to eat, wander around Aspen, chat with other foodies and chefs about the food, classes and the industry, or to attend private tastings and events. However with this exciting line-up, attendees will have a hard time deciding which talks to attend.
For those within the industry special events make the Food & Wine Classic more than an opportunity to simply show off their talents, it also provides an opportunity to become familiar with new trends, new products and to make new connections within the industry. The Private Trade Grand Tasting is the perfect opportunity to expand your wine pallet at the same time. The Grand Tastings offered twice on Friday and Saturday, as well as once on Sunday, allow chefs to rub elbows with celebrities and a few hardcore foodies as well.
Of course after 30 years of incredible food, a celebration is in order. Elvis Costello & The Blue Beguilers will do the honors on the evening of June 16th by giving an exclusive concert. Dinner will also be served on the lawn of the Benedict Music Tent, where for the first time the residents from the City of Aspen and Food & Wine attendees will come together to celebrate the Food & Wine Classic.
While this event is all about food, organizers would like to emphasize the local food movement and green food production and consumption. To this end the Food & Wine Classic Grow for Good Pass will be available again this year. This year proceeds from these tickets will support local farms and sustainable agriculture in the U.S. The Grow for Good Pass also gives pass holders access to VIP tastings, a welcome reception, a direct donation and many other perks.
For those wanting to burn off a few of the calories consumed during the Food & Wine Classic, the 5K Charity Run with Bobby Flay is a great opportunity to trim your waistline and benefit the Grow for Good campaign as well. A special Run with the Chefs race will start just a few minutes prior to the official race. Racers participating in the Run with the Chefs will have an opportunity to meet their favorite chefs and a photo opportunity as well.
Pack your knife and fork and head to Aspen this June to learn the recipe for the sweet life! Once you see the ingredients; friendly residents, worldwide festivals and celebrations combined in the beautiful surroundings of the Elk Mountains, you will realize the only thing missing is you!