Food & Beverage

Beyond the Grand Tasting: The Best Side Parties During Food & Wine Classic Aspen 2026

While thousands descend upon Aspen for the Food & Wine Classic each June, locals and seasoned attendees know that some of the most memorable moments happen at the side parties, away from the tents.

Here are a few events worth adding to your calendar. Please know that many of these are private and require RSVP's.

Art of the Party

Wednesday, June 17 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Aspen Art Museum

Modern Luxury Aspen kicks off the unofficial start of summer with its annual Art of the Party celebration featuring celebrity chef Tyler Florence, chef, restaurateur, author, television host, and owner of Miller & Lux in San Francisco.

The rooftop event brings together culinary leaders, luxury brands, and the Aspen social scene for an elegant evening celebrating food, wine, and design.

Please note: This is a private, invitation-only event.

Misette x Lakeview Home x Partytrick

Wednesday, June 17 | 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Performance Ski

Before the weekend officially begins, stop by Performance Ski for a beautifully curated afternoon celebrating entertaining at home.

Lakeview Home founder Brooke Soffer and Partytrick founder Virginia Frischkorn will be on hand alongside Misette, the beloved tabletop brand known for transforming everyday dining into colorful works of art.

If you're the type who obsesses over the perfect tablescape, this is your event.

From Court to Cocktail: Antiques of the Table

M.S. Rau Aspen

The exhibition explores how people have gathered and entertained over centuries through extraordinary museum-quality objects including:

  • A handcrafted silver coffee pot owned by Paul Revere (valued at more than $1 million)
  • An Elizabethan silver coconut goblet
  • Art Deco cocktail shakers
  • Tiffany silver
  • Jazz Age cocktail ware
  • Rare entertaining objects spanning hundreds of years

Complimentary Spotlight Talks take place at 2:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, offering visitors a chance to hear the remarkable stories behind these pieces.

It's a fascinating stop for anyone who loves food history, entertaining, design, or simply beautiful craftsmanship.

Admission is free.

Gunpowder Irish Gin with Bruno Vanzan

Friday, June 19 | 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Hooch Aspen

Cocktail lovers won't want to miss this one.

Gunpowder Irish Gin welcomes two-time World Champion Mixologist Bruno Vanzan for a special guest bartending appearance at Hooch Aspen.

Expect inventive cocktails, lively conversation, and one of the valley's favorite cocktail bars at its best.

Complimentary drink tickets will be available for media while supplies last.

Buddha Mama Mountain Residency Launch Party

Friday, June 19 | 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

400 E. Hyman Avenue, Suite A201

One of Aspen's newest creative spaces celebrates its Mountain Residency launch with artist Ashley Longshore bringing a curated selection of her coveted collections, including works created exclusively for Aspen.

Guests will also enjoy bites from Chef Susie Jimenez of Sips Bites & Spice.

It's equal parts art opening, cocktail party, and colorful celebration.

RSVP: info@buddhamama.com

Barrels & Beats at W Aspen

Friday, June 19 | 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

When the Grand Tasting closes, the music turns up.

Barrels & Beats at W Aspen combines cocktails, DJs, rooftop energy, and one of the best sunset views in town. It's the perfect place to continue the evening and mingle with fellow Food & Wine attendees.

Farmer & Chef at Aspen Highlands

Escape the downtown crowds and head to Aspen Highlands for Farmer & Chef Catering's celebration of local ingredients and mountain hospitality.

Expect seasonal flavors, Colorado produce, and the kind of relaxed atmosphere that reminds you why so many of us fell in love with this valley in the first place.

Our Local Tip

Some of the best Food & Wine memories aren't made standing in line for a tasting. They're made wandering into a gallery you didn't know existed, discovering a new cocktail, talking to strangers at a rooftop party, or finding yourself in a conversation that lasts long after the last glass is poured.

Know of another side party?

If you're hosting a pop-up, cocktail party, gallery opening, tasting, or private activation during Food & Wine weekend, send it our way and we'll add it to our calendar and consider it for inclusion in our ongoing coverage.

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Testimonials

Corneliu Fagaraşan
Architect

Aspen Business Connect completely exceeded my expectations. From the moment I showed up I felt welcomed into a community of open, curious, and genuinely supportive people. It’s not just networking—it’s real connection. I’ve built friendships, found opportunities, and gained invaluable insight simply by being part of the group. The environment Jillian has created makes it easy to show up, be yourself, and grow both personally and professionally.

Hudson McNamee Osprey Design Studio
Owner

I came along and was immediately connected with a lot of entrepreneurs from all backgrounds. A year and a half later I have gained a plethora of connections and advice from people from all walks of the entrepreneurial journey. This valley works by word of mouth. That is the most effective way, and being a part of this has gained me the most high quality clientele that respect what I do, compensate me fairly and I don't have to go through the entire vetting process every time. I learned so much from so many different types of people. It's been invaluable to my growth as an entrepreneur and a small business owner.

Grayson Rutherford Sinclair Building Architecture Design
Director of Operations

I've been blown away by the professional connections that I've been able to make since joining Aspen Business Connect. I've even had the opportunity to make trade relationships... [and] brought multiple artists onto my company's projects that I wouldn't have otherwise found had I not been a member of ABC.

It's unmatched and unrivaled by anything else in the valley and such a special meeting and connecting place for professionals of all different backgrounds. Jillian does an incredible job making her network ours and she's the most well-connected woman in the valley, always bringing in new people from different places who have different experiences and backgrounds to share. Overall it's one of my favorite things to be part of in the valley, from our socializing events and specialized dinners to our more professional focused events , it's given me the opportunity to make great friends in the valley and even professional relationships. All of us are better off for it.

Jeremy Joseph
Jeremy Joseph Photography

I opened a gallery called Jeremy Joseph Photography, which was a place to display my fine art prints of the Colorado Wilderness and Wildlife. Shortly after opening that space, I started to realize the need for me to be more  integrated into the local community. After a short meeting with Jillian, I realized really quickly how valuable her network could be to get more integrated into the community. The amount of people and relationship building you can do is pretty impressive. Every time that I show up  I always have a bit of a vibrationally tingly inspiration because of everyone's stories and what they're doing. Just a great place to be a part of the community and get inspired for your small business.

Derron Cloud, State Farm Agent in Basalt and Aspen.
Agent

What I have enjoyed from Jillian's group, Aspen Business Connect, is I've met lots of different people, different individuals. There's great events. I have probably not only gained clients but I’ve also been able to provide clients to those other folks that I've met. I've also made friends. Several people that I met in the first meeting that I went to, I've played golf with and our families hang out together. I have also had many, many referrals from those people. This group has been fantastic for networking and learning and just meeting lots of great and wonderful, interesting people.

Dominic Del Signore Homestead Circus Productions
Founder

Being a member hasn't just grown my business; it has fundamentally changed my life in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Jillian is a master at the art of connection, and her dedication to this community is nothing short of brilliant. She understands that when you connect local businesses as genuine resources for one another, you aren't just facilitating 'transactions', you are proliferating a culture of friendship, growth, and playful engagement that makes our community thrive... Great organizations only succeed with great leaders, and Jillian’s mission to foster an environment where we all succeed together is incredibly effective.

Marisa de Lempicka Tamara de Lempicka Estate Foundation
Owner

I've been a member with Aspen Business Connect for about five years now and it's been wonderful. Jillian does an amazing job at connecting people. I always leave the events inspired, empowered, with new ideas. It's really really been a great addition to my life here in Aspen, and it's a great reason to hear what other people are doing in the community, to feel part of this amazing community. The people in this group are amazing. I've /made some really lifelong friendships.

Shari Havroud of Aetio Health
Nutritionist
I am so grateful for Jillian and Aspen Business Connect, for introducing my work to the team at Aspen Strong where we created a successful Food/Mood kids series.  From there, I have been given the opportunity to work with the Aspen Youth Center, Aspen Family Connections and the City of Aspen!” 
All of these engagements have helped me expand awareness about the benefits of medical nutrition therapy.  Just one introduction led to many more.  I would highly recommend joining the Aspen Business Connect network!"
Diane Utz, ESQ Ferguson Shindler Law Firm
Construction Litigation

Thank you once again! You’ve created something really special and have done an amazing job pulling together the movers and shakers in this Valley. I’ve lived all over the country but have never witnessed a network like the one you’ve built and are continuing to build. You are such an inspiration!

Eric Amyot Keystone Species CO
Instigator of Change | Generative Community Builder

ABC makes networking easy. More than that, the intention and energy, mood, and support for every entrepreneur and business regardless of their scale or industry, is always positive.

Harry Teague - Harry Teague Architects
Owner

Thank you Aspen Real Life and your team. Very informative and well organized panel discussion. Wonderful to network with such smart, fun crowd. Keep up the good work.

Jerome Osentowski Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute
Founder & Director

Last week Jerome, Eden, and Brook melted our minds with their wisdom on the state of our food systems, what they're doing about it, and what we can all do to improve the health of ourselves and the Earth. Thanks Aspen Business Connect for organizing this great event!

Thanks so much Jillian for putting these together. We were glad to see so many people who care about their food, we got so many business cards! Amazing

Rose LeVan Sustainable Settings
Co-Founder & Office Manager

Thank you Jillian for giving us the opportunity to talk with our community via Aspen Business Connect! Your crew is amazing.

Michele Cardamone - Michele Cardamone Photography
Owner

I just went to Jillian's Aspen Business Connect meeting at Aspen Kitchen with a panel discussing the importance of eating local and nutritious food without pesticides. There was so much positive energy in the room and such an eclectic mix of local business representatives. It was such a perfect way to connect with members of our community. Bravo, Jillian! I can't wait for more!

Molly Dodge Bosque Aspen

Such an amazing event, Jillian!! Thank you for including us and for everything that you're doing for this community and beyond. You're an inspiration and connecting people is the most satisfying thing. Xoxox

Bill Infante, Hangai Mountain Textiles, Co-Founder & President at Breakthrough Communications, Basalt Town Council Member.
Principal & Co-Founder

Great evening. Great initiative. Great connections. Thanks Jillian Livingston for bringing the business community together!

Marisa Hallsted The Mindful Vine
Founder

We thought you’d love that we all connected over a fabulous dinner. Turned into a blog post, a mastermind group, a newly designed ring from gems from my ancestors and who knows great collaborations between some of us in the future! Thanks for being our connector and for all you do!!