There's something that happens when you get people together with exceptional food and wine. Guards come down. Stories come out. Connections are made that wouldn't happen anywhere else. And I am oh so ready to dive into the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen 2026, which, for me, begins and ends with the Hotel Jerome Epicurean Passport Weekend.
Now in its sixth year, this four-day celebration (June 18–21) celebrates acclaimed chefs, legendary winemakers and innovative mixologists, all converging at Hotel Jerome, Aspen's most historical hotel and the social hub of this town since 1889.
Here's the itinerary:
Thursday, June 18 — Opening Party: A Farmer's Market Celebration This is how you start a weekend. The Jerome courtyard transforms into a lively farmer's market tasting with bites from visiting Auberge chefs, seasonal cocktails, live music, and local makers. Rooted in Colorado ingredients, relaxed in energy. $95 and worth every penny as a kickoff.
Friday, June 19 — Night of SHE. YES! I can only imagine the grit it took for Daisy Ryan, Melissa Perello, Suzanne Tracht, and Sofia Cortina to rise to the top. Four remarkable women, one collaborative menu, wines from women-led producers, I'd fly in for this. Luckily I don't have to. At $495 you'll celebrate a night you'll talk about for years. Somebody get me a media pass!
Also Friday: the Judgment of Paris masterclass — a rare chance to taste the wines that literally changed wine history, on the 50th anniversary of that tasting. Château Montelena, Stag's Leap, Ridge, and more. $195 and completely worth it for any serious wine lover.
Saturday, June 20 — Top Chef Season 23 Winner Dinner. We don't know the winner yet, but Hotel Jerome has secured an exclusive, intimate single-seating dinner featuring the winning chef's dishes. This is the kind of access that doesn't come around often. Also $495.
Also Saturday: a Petrossian caviar and Laurent-Perrier Champagne masterclass ($375), a deep dive into Flowers wines from the Sonoma Coast ($195), Casa Dragones tequila and cigar pairing at Bad Harriet ($195), and a Hudson Valley Farms x Domaine Faiveley tasting ($195). I could spend the entire day moving from one extraordinary experience to the next - better yet, let's go together.
Sunday, June 21 — Recovery Brunch PopUp Bagels meets Petrossian Caviar in the courtyard. Sun, cocktails, and the best possible way to close out a weekend of indulgence. $125. Gluten-free? Not this weekend.
All Weekend Long The Sky Terrace Caviar and Cocktail gathering (Petrossian + Casa Dragones, $75) runs throughout the weekend — this is the move for those golden afternoon hours on the mountain. And Death & Co. takes over Bad Harriet two nights running ($50), bringing their legendary cocktail program to one of Aspen's most fun underground spaces.
The Epicurean Passport gives you all-access entry to the full weekend's programming — if you're going all in, this is the way to do it.
And here's the part that makes it all feel right: 10% of proceeds benefit the Aspen Institute. Good food, good people, good purpose.
This is exactly the kind of weekend I created Aspen Real Life to celebrate. Not because it's fancy, though it absolutely is, but because these Chefs have been coming out for the Classic for years and have become one big family, and I love a big family. it's built around the same thing I've always believed in. That the best moments in life happen when exceptional people come together, slow down, and share something real.
June 18–21. Hotel Jerome. Don't miss it.
Reserve your spot at auberge.com/hotel-jerome













