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THE ASPEN FOOD AND WINE CLASSIC
This is the 28th year of this amazing event. And it
continues to wow the crowds, the foodies, the wine
lovers, and the chefs as well.
We were lucky enough to broadcast from the St. Regis
where Leah Tucker of Aspen Skiing Company had the hotel
cater a fabulous buffet of pizza, divine sandwiches,
salads and sweets for all our guests. She and her group
do the PR for The Little Nell, The Limelight Lodge and
Ajax Tavern---and they are doing the BBQ. Look under
dinners for more on this event.
But back to Food and Wine and the spectacular event.
It starts with the opening party where everyone gets
together to say hi and renew times and see and be
seen—that is if you are a celebrity. The chefs and stars
are incredible to all.
After that party, we went to Jose Andres (fabulous chef
and incredibly funny) for a Spanish wine party in a
magnificent house. The cheeses, the wines, and the whole
pigs on the rotisseries were just beyond imagination.
And the pig skin and pig served—to die for—not from!!!!
Following that we had dinner at Elina, a new Italian
(somewhat) restaurant. The appetizers were great. The
prices are high here.
And then, the Little Nell does a gin and caviar and
oyster party which starts at 11pm—and it is
packed.----and perfect.
On Friday, there are classes, seminars, and events—we
did see Thomas Keller before a Stella Artois ( and I am
a fan of that beer) luncheon by the pool with the
fabulous Mark Stroobandt from Brussels and Johnny Tesh—the
lunch was New Orleans crawfish and fun.
After that we went to RNDC for a fantastic champagne
tasting and Republic does a perfect job on anything they
do.
Following this event Southern hosted a party by the pool
at Aspen Square with the Denver Five-Matty Selby, Jamey
Fader, Tyler Wiard, Troy Guard, and Brian Laird—their
food was great!!!! And of course, they are fun.
A real highlight of the entire weekend was the Moroccan
Wine party at the Residence of Little Nell-where we
stayed-it is beyond incredible. And the rooftop and pool
setting was amazing. It was done with traditional décor,
and Didier Pariente brought hs fabulous Rose, and
unoaked chardonnay and many more wines—his mom Danielle
came from Paris (and Morocco) and did all the food-it
was outrageous—and everyone loved the wines-the
celebrities and foodies were so impressed with the
wine—and they should be. And sunset in this setting is
just the best. Everyone was still talking days later.
That evening was dinner at Giselle—it is Italian and fun
and pricey.
Saturday is Radio—and of course, very special for me as
all of you—get to hear the great chefs and wine people
chat. It is a round table of celebration of Food and
Wine and the event---for all the years.
Claudine Pepin co-hosted with me and was terrific. We
visited with Laura Werlin, the fabulous cheese lady,
Drew Nierporent (famous in New York with Tribecca Grill
and Nobu and Bernie Sun, the wine expert from Jon
George. Then came Tom Colichio who we all know from
Bravo Top Chef—and he told us about that, Craft,
Colichio and Sins and Wichcraft—his restaurants-and then
about the movie he and his wife are making about hunger
in children in America. Fabio—of season 5 who did not
win
--but is a real winner-with restaurants, books, and
charm—and he told us about his heading the Los Angeles
hunger relief. Michel Nischan on Connecticut and head of
Wholesale Wave Foundationfood organic, green and
sustainable, and Rick Noonan, from Vegas and head of the
Fish control and caring added so much to the show and so
much information. The big moment is always the visit of
Jacques Pepin who is so loved and the mentor of everyone
there and he delights all. The highlight was Dana Cowan
coming to visit-she is the editor of Food and Wine—and
we had a great discussion of our own ALEX SEIDEL who won
top chef—the most gracious, charming and wonderful
guy-from Fruition—we are so proud and Dana was thrilled
too. We had a moment to speak to Buty Winery in Walla
Walla and totally ran out of time.
The biggest event of Food and Wine was Saturday night
when the top 10 chefs present a course and there is
wine, music and fun. Of course, Alex was best-and the
food cart gentleman with spicy meatballs was great too.
And we topped the night off with dinner at Matsuhisa—and
Nobu was there—it was wonderful as always. And a
tradition for us.
We all come home to rest and thank Food And Wine for the
Aspen Classic---it brings food people from around the
world together for a great event.
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