Bravo's Top Chef is undeniably the biggest food reality cooking show in America today. So how's it working out for stars of the show who aren't on Life After Top Chef? To find out, we tracked down some of the show's biggest stars at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. Chefs from seasons past, including everyone from Harold Dieterle to Ed Lee, weigh in on what's next for them, whether life's really changed since Top Chef, and what advice they have for chefs on the upcoming Top Chef: Seattle.
What's it like to be a part of the most respected food festival in America? We headed to the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen to give you a glimpse of the action, from a star-studded backyard party to a chat with chef Michael Symon to a peek into the world's smallest speakeasy. Watch the video to take a look at some of our favorite moments from this year's Classic.
This weekend, we're headed to Aspen, CO, to meet up with the industry's biggest names at the annual Food & Wine Classic. While we were there last year, Michael Chiarello shared his cooking don'ts, Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson shared her take on women in the wine profession, Ming Tsai revealed what's new on his PBS series, Simply Ming, and we learned which cocktail trends to embrace (and which to avoid).
Once again, we'll be sharing the most memorable epicurean experiences with you, so be on the lookout for our coverage of this amazing culinary event. For real-time updates, be sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram (under the username "heyyumsugar"). And, if you're in town, look out for us; we hope to see you under the tents! Get excited for the return of our coverage by checking out some of our favorite Aspen highlights from years past.
 Bobby's Burger Suggestions |
 Boiling the Perfect Egg With Jacques |
 Ming Makes Tempura and Jokes |
 Reviving Tiki Classics |
 Tastes From the Tents |
 Steve Raichlen's BBQ Tips |
In my time spent with Momofuku's David Chang, I've learned that there's never a dull moment with the opinionated chef. When I found out he was demoing in Aspen, I knew I'd be there.
Chang, who was a Best New Chef himself at the 2006 Classic, showed his version of vacuum cooking. "Sous vide cooking will be more popular in the next 10 to 20 years," he declared. Although he recommended a water immersion circulator for home cooks ("they didn't pay me to say this, but PolyScience is the best one out there"), he demonstrated a similar, more affordable technique that he refers to as "sandbagging" or "ghetto sous vide."
He made fun of his jury-rigged concept, but I think it was classic avant-garde David Changian. With a large vat of water, the chef used an instant-read digital thermometer to gauge the temperature at about 140ºF, or 60ºC. Then he inserted a vacuum-sealed piece of meat for about 45 minutes, until the protein was just barely, but uniformly, cooked through. For more about what the Momofuku maestro had to say, read on.
Jessica Biel isn't lying when she says that she's most at home in the mountains. During an appearance on David Letterman last night, the A-Team star shared that her latest snowboarding trip came close to turning into an episode of Man vs. Wild — Jessica even contemplated building a snow cave! The actress — who has been snowboarding since she was a kid — describes herself as a "chill kind of groove rider." But after seeing this interview and knowing she trekked up Mount Kilimanjaro, I'm thinking she has a bit of an extreme sports gal inside of her.
The biggest event at the Aspen Food & Wine Classic is the Grand Tasting, which took place five times over the span of three days. Inside several vast tents, attendees could sample a wide variety of food, from Peruvian tiradito to Cypriot soutzouko. As delicious as the offerings tasted, half the fun was eating with my eyes. Keep reading to see my favorite foods of the tasting tents.
As I mentioned yesterday, Party and I are headed to Aspen this weekend for what is considered the food industry's biggest gathering of the year. Before we report back with inspiring moments and witty words from this year's gustatory fest, I wanted to take a look back at the best that Aspen had to offer last year.
This weekend, PartySugar and I are headed to Aspen, CO, to meet up with the food industry's veritable short list of professionals at the annual Food & Wine Classic. While we were there last year, Ming Tsai offered up some East-West cooking tips, Tom and Padma got a little drunk, and we learned that celebrity chefs are just like us.
Once again, we'll be sharing the most memorable epicurean experiences with you, so be on the lookout for our coverage of this exciting culinary event.
For real-time updates, be sure to follow Party and myself on Twitter. And, if you're in town, look out for us. Perhaps we'll see you there!
Aspen has no shortage of chichi resorts for your chichi pals but few others (excluding the St. Regis) come close to the perks of Little Nell. Offering 26 "ski in, ski out" residences at the base of the mountain, they've got a pet package to rival any in town. First up, you'll get a copy of their own Petiquette handbook with guidelines for pets and owners along with lists and reviews of recommended animal-friendly hiking trails. When you arrive, find a cozy bed for each of you and, if your trip was too long, order room service and rest up before exploring the town's offerings. Off their in-room dining menu, I recommend treating your pooch (or even a borrowed one) with a "Puppy’s Jet Lag Kit" including custom gourmet doggie biscuits and his own pet menu — tenderloin of beef with eggs and rice, grilled chicken breast with carrots and brown rice, or grilled salmon with scrambled eggs — served up on a custom place mat and bowl set. When you're ready to explore, add personalized brass ID tags, and walk him yourself (or use their services) then get him cleaned up with their recommended groomers. While it used to be free of charge, a $100 charge per room applies for guests visiting with their pets . . . but that includes up to two hours of pet sitting!
Let's pretend for a moment. You've decided to take a trip to Aspen but . . . sigh . . . Spot couldn't come with you. You arrive to the snowy town and wander around. People with dogs are everywhere. Hiking on Bernese Boulevard. Shopping near Main Street. Sledding at Snowmass. You're filled with regret. Sadness. Jealousy.
Fear not! Head straight over to the Aspen Animal Shelter and get some quality time with one of their adorably adoptable pooches. For the past 15 years, this shelter has offered a plan to have town residents and visitors take a pet out for a few hours, the entire day, or even overnight . . . for (last time I checked) free! It's a great way to get the pups socialized and exercised, and some people even end up adopting their new friend at the end of the trip! If you're not into the outdoor activities, you can come by to brush and play with the cats, too. Picking up a furry snow lover will make you feel like a local and, for those people who don't permanently reside in animal-friendly homes, you can take a vacation from your pet-free lifestyle . . . without spending a fortune!
