The 2009 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen Begins!

From the gorgeous Roaring Fork Valley, the 27th Food & Wine Classic in Aspen kicked off this week, with notable bashes all around! Guests were treated at last night’s Welcome Reception to flavorful dishes created by Bravo’s Top Chef winners Harold Dieterle, Stephanie Izard (no, it doesn’t rhyme with ‘lizard’), Ilan Hall, and Hosea Rosenberg. Afterwards, super chef Jose Andres threw a Spanish-style barbeque featuring his favorite wine from Spain.

Today – the culinary sessions began! Chefs Ming Tsai, Jacques & Claudine Pepin, and Michael Symon started the morning with signature cooking demonstrations, with Mario Batali, Nancy Silverton, and Jose Andres topping off the afternoon!

Food & Wine Editor Dana Cowin introduces Nancy Silverton and Mario Batali

Ming Tsai teases Jose Andres during Aspen Food & Wine demo

And once the Grand Tasting, and the cooking demos were done, the parties began! Daily Blender had the opportunity to attend The Taste of South Africa, hosted by Food & Wine’s Gail Simmons and Chef Marcus Samuelsson, where Jose Andres, SOBE and New York Wine and Food festival organizer Lee Schrager, and Gail’s own parents (her father is from South Africa) mingled with guests.

Marcus Samuelsson's Lamb Curry, nicknamed 'Bunny Chow'.

Food & Wine's Gail Simmons with Chef Marcus Samuelsson

Stay tuned tomorrow as we venture to more lectures, demos, and parties – only at the Aspen Food & Wine Classic! Make sure to follow us on Twitter @dailyblender for up-to-the-minute tweets and pictures!

~Jennifer Heigl

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