Dish Alert! Morsels From The Food & Wine Classic In Aspen

by The Daily Front Row

Attention, foodies and the fashionettes who love them (and, more often than not, are them): Food & Wine‘s epic annual event in Aspen, and our foodie pal, Jaret Keller, was on hand to witness all the delicious action. The resto world savant is back with a tasty recap on all the action out in Colorado this weekend. Mangia!

“Dear Daily,

Aspen is one of my favorite towns in the country: It provides a perfect balance of culture, fashion and outdoor activities. Each year American Express Publishing hosts the Food & Wine Classic. The team, lead by Ed KellyDana Cowin, and Christina Grdovic have been producing this first-class event for 31 years. It is the perfect opportunity (and excuse) for thousands of fashionable foodies to gather in a village lined with a collection of luxury boutiques that rival Madison Avenue.  

The look for men was jeans, Gucci loafers and crisp button down shirts (besides Mario Batali, who sported his signature orange Crocs and cargo shorts). As for the women, it was all about large hats, eyelet dresses with pashminas, Jack Rogers sandals, lots of pearls, and pastel sweater sets.

Upon arriving at the St. Regis Resort on Friday, I was greeted by a welcoming staff ready to hydrate my body with Veuve Clicquot champagne. Our first event was the Mexico-themed Publisher’s Party at the top of Ajax Mountain.  After a few margaritas, we headed to my favorite Miami transplant, Casa Tua, for a fun dinner with Geoffrey ZakarianMarc Murphy, and Ted Allen. Geoffrey ordered a Methuselah (a bottle equal to eight regular wine bottles) of Chianti, which he shared with excited diners at neighboring tables. Following dinner, we made our way to Hotel Jerome for the Last Bite Dessert Bash hosted by Gail Simmons and Jean Georges’ pastry alum, Johnny Iuzzini.  

On Saturday, I had a fun rosé-filled lunch at Ajax Tavern with Daniel Boulud and Eric Ripert prior to producing Sirius XM’s talk show, FOOD TALK with Geoffrey Zakarian, at the Chefs Club at The St. Regis. The Lambs Club and The National chef dished with the biggest names in the culinary world such as Andrew ZimmernJosé AndrésMarcus Samuelsson and Drew Nieporent. Saturday evening, Prince Harry’s polo teammate Marc Ganzi hosted an intimate dinner for his birthday at Matsuhisa Aspen. The countless bottles of sake and shaved ice dessert closed out a fabulous weekend. 

I look forward to heading back to Aspen in the winter with my skis freshly waxed and the mountains covered with snow.  Until next time…” 

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