The 2024 Food & Wine Classic

In 1983, a group of local entrepreneurs banded together to kick off the Aspen/Snowmass International Wine Classic, aiming to enliven the sluggish shoulder season with a blast of epicurean excitement. More than 300 food and wine devotees, from winemakers to chefs and gourmet enthusiasts, descended upon the breathtaking mountain town nestled 7,908 feet above sea level. Fast forward to 1986, and Food & Wine swooped in as the festival’s title sponsor, bringing in luminary heavyweights like cookbook author Marion Cunningham and culinary maestros Bradley Ogden and Hubert Keller. 

Nearly four decades later, the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen stands tall as the pinnacle of culinary festivals — an exclusive gathering of the crème de la crème in hospitality and cuisine.

For those who can’t make it to the 41st Food & Wine Classic in Aspen this June, feast your eyes on some of the dynamic chef and restaurateur interviews, innovative cooking and cocktail demonstrations, and thought-provoking panels at the most influential culinary event in the world. 

This year’s festival features three days of seminars and tastings, and a smorgasbord of world-class epicurean talent, including David Chang, Marcus Samuelsson, Maneet Chauhan, Tom Colicchio, Tiffanie Barriere, and Andrew Zimmern — as well as Top Chef host Kristen Kish and a panel of Season 21’s contestants. 

In addition, there will be more than 50 wine, food, beer, and spirits brands in the Grand Tasting Pavilion, which has long been the centerpiece of the weekend. As always, philanthropy is an important part of the event’s DNA — a portion of net proceeds will be donated to Food & Wine’s charity partners, No Kid Hungry and Southern Smoke Foundation.

And be sure to save room for more in late September when the inaugural Food & Wine Classic comes to Charleston, South Carolina for a three day festival of delicious bites, thoughtful seminars, and impressive demonstrations.