Aspen Peak - Niche Media - Aspen living at its peak
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/67357
MOOD OF FOOD continued from page 78 Chambers, and the next year, in 1987, American Express intro- duced the festival to Food & Wine. According to Devin Padgett, current producer of the Classic, Food & Wine at that time had no marketing or events department. Planning the Classic was up to a few women in the circulation and advertising departments on the 16th floor of Express Publishing building Manhattan. And it took only a few months to pull it all off. the American in "We started working with the staff of Food & Wine, and it was a chuckle because we were country bumpkins and they were, you know, New York City people," jokes Plumley, who is now 73. "They were a little high-strung and go-go-go. But it all worked, and what a lot of fun it was to work with them." Today the Classic is akin to the Oscars for food and wine profes- sionals. The stories and legends, the seminars and grand tastings, the programs that grew from the effort—Best New Chefs, Grow for Good, the Program—have Restaurant all Trade successfully down to the everyday home cook. Even after three decades of tastings, food sampling, networking, and cel- ebrating, the Food & Wine Classic is once again born anew. It seems 30 is just the beginning of a new era. AP THE THRILL encers, the media, even all the way —TOM COLICCHIO elevated the educators, the influ- " " [Best New Chef] is a huge milestone to win. 1991 Best New Chefs winner Tom Colicchio. Food & Wine magazine's Dana Cowin, Christina Grdovic, and Gail Simmons. SO MANY LUNCHES, OF THE SWILL For these oeonephiles, Aspen's cocktail and wine culture is always abuzz. Ray Isle, Food & Wine executive wine editor: Montagna Restaurant at The Little Nell. "Amazing list." Claudine Pépin, chef and television personality: "I love, love, love drinking tequila at Jimmy's. That's a must." Richard Betts, master sommelier and owner of Betts & Scholl: "Where to drink in Aspen? A bucket of Corona on the patio at Pacifica. Margaritas at Jimmy's. Mezcal at Zocalito. Burgundy at Cache Cache. Italian wine at The Little Nell. And lots of sake at Matsuhisa. Then lots of aspirin." Dana Cowin, Food & Wine editor-in-chief: Main Street Bakery & Cafe, The Cheese Shop, The Butcher's Block, and pizza at Mezzaluna. Mario Batali, celebrity chef: "We love Ajax Tavern, mostly for its French fries, but everything there is just about perfect, including the view! We also love Jimmy's for the most fun night [Friday of the Classic], and BB's Kitchen for breakfast." John Besh, celebrity chef: Matsuhisa Jacques Pépin, celebrity chef: The Caribou Club Sissy Biggers, TV host and national spokesperson: Pacifica Restaurant & Oyster Bar Danny Meyer, resaurateur and CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group: "Ajax Tavern for lunch, Jimmy's for dinner, and Woody Creek Tavern if I have the energy." SO LITTLE TIME Where do the epicurean elite and celebrity chefs like to nosh in Aspen? Do tell... Jimmy's: An American Restaurant & Bar. Pacifica Restaurant & Oyster Bar. BB's Kitchen 80 ASPENPEAK-MAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY BY GETTY IMAGES (COLICCHIO); ROBERT MILLMAN (COWIN); ROWLAND + BROUGHTON ARCHITECTURE (PACIFICA, BB'S KITCHEN);BRENT MOSS (PACIFICA); JASON DEWEY (BB'S KITCHEN)