Bobby Flay, Maneet Chauhan lead The 2026 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen with a Star-Studded Chef Lineup

The 2026 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen returns June 19-21 with Bobby Flay, Maneet Chauhan, and culinary icons. Tickets on sale Dec 10. Get details now.

There’s something magical about gathering in the mountains with people who truly understand the joy of a perfectly seared steak or a wine that makes you pause mid-conversation.

For 43 years, the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen has been that rare place where culinary dreams meet Rocky Mountain reality. And when tickets go on sale December 10 at noon EST, you’ll want to be ready—because this isn’t just another food festival. It’s the food festival, and the 2026 lineup proves exactly why it’s earned that reputation.

A Weekend Where Food Legends and Wine Lovers Collide

Picture this: You’re standing at 8,000 feet, surrounded by aspen trees and snow-capped peaks, watching Bobby Flay work his grill magic while sipping a wine selected by one of the world’s top sommeliers.

That’s the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, taking place June 19-21, 2026. Presented by American Express and Resy, this three-day celebration brings together the biggest names in food, wine, and spirits for an experience that’s part education, part indulgence, and entirely unforgettable.

The roster reads like a dream dinner party guest list. Maneet Chauhan, Tiffany Derry, Tyler Florence, Stephanie Izard, Brooke Williamson, and Andrew Zimmern will lead cooking demonstrations that go far beyond simple recipe tutorials. These are the chefs who’ve shaped how America eats—whether through television, their restaurants, or their cookbooks that have earned permanent spots on kitchen counters from Manhattan to San Francisco.

Why Aspen Remains the Gold Standard for Food Festivals

“Since 1983, the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen

has set the stage for chefs, wine pros, and hospitality industry leaders

to cook, pour, teach, taste, and gather in

one of the most spectacularly beautiful towns in the country,”

Hunter Lewis

Editor in Chief of Food & Wine

“I’m honored to play a role in continuing the legacy of this legendary event, and bringing this massive, one-of-a-kind celebration to life.”

What sets this festival apart isn’t just the altitude or the celebrity chefs—it’s the intimacy. Unlike massive food expos where you’re one of thousands, the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen creates genuine moments of connection. You might find yourself debating the perfect Negroni ratio with a James Beard Award winner or discovering a small-batch winemaker whose bottles will become your new favorites.

Five Grand Tastings and Endless Flavor Discovery

The heart of any great food festival lives in its tastings, and Aspen delivers five Grand Tastings where flavor takes center stage.

These aren’t polite nibbles on paper plates. We’re talking about serious culinary exploration—from heritage pork prepared three ways to natural wines that challenge everything you thought you knew about terroir. According to the James Beard Foundation, events like these play a crucial role in advancing America’s food culture and supporting the next generation of culinary talent.

The beverage programming deserves its own spotlight. Wine and cocktail seminars led by experts like Ray Isle, Victoria James, and Bobby Stuckey dive deep into topics that matter to serious enthusiasts and curious beginners alike. Whether you’re collecting vintage Bordeaux or just want to understand why your favorite neighborhood wine bar keeps talking about “orange wine,” you’ll find your people here.

Beyond the Plate: Cooking Demos That Actually Teach You Something

Let’s be honest, most cooking demonstrations feel more like performance art than practical education. Not here. When chefs like Stephanie Izard and Chris Shepherd take the stage, they’re sharing techniques you can actually use. Ayesha Nurdjaja, Claudette Zepeda, and other rising stars bring fresh perspectives and flavor combinations that reflect America’s increasingly diverse culinary landscape.

These sessions blend fun-loving energy with real skill-building. You’ll laugh as Zimmern recounts his wildest culinary adventures while learning how to properly break down a whole fish. The demonstrations prove that serious cooking doesn’t mean serious faces—it’s about passion, curiosity, and not taking yourself too seriously when the soufflé doesn’t rise.

A Festival That Gives Back

The Food & Wine Classic in Aspen isn’t just about consumption—it’s about contribution. Through the Food & Wine Gives initiative, the 2026 festival will support Southern Smoke Foundation, which provides crisis support and mental health resources to food and beverage industry workers, and No Kid Hungry, the national campaign fighting childhood hunger across the United States. When you raise your glass in Aspen, you’re also raising awareness for the people who make the hospitality industry possible.

“We’re excited to be back this June with all new, unforgettable experiences, featuring culinary icons, breakout stars…”

“We’re excited to be back this June with all new, unforgettable experiences, featuring culinary icons, breakout stars, and moments that will set the standard for what’s next,” Lewis continued. “Trust us, you’ll want to be there.”

FAQ: 2026 Food & Wine Classic Apen

When do tickets go on sale for the 2026 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen?
Tickets become available December 10, 2026 at noon EST through classic.foodandwine.com. Early purchase is strongly recommended as the festival sells out every year.

What’s included in a Food & Wine Classic ticket?
Your ticket grants access to cooking demonstrations, wine and cocktail seminars, five Grand Tastings, and exclusive parties throughout the three-day event from June 19-21, 2026.

Why is the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen considered the world’s most iconic food festival?
The festival combines legendary culinary talent, intimate access to chefs and winemakers, comprehensive programming from tastings to seminars, and the spectacular backdrop of the Rocky Mountains—creating an experience that’s been unmatched since 1983.

Make Your 2026 Plans Now

The Food & Wine Classic in Aspen represents everything we love about food culture—the creativity, the community, the constant search for the next great flavor. Whether you’re a home cook looking to level up your skills, a wine collector seeking your next obsession, or simply someone who believes that life’s best moments happen around a table, this festival delivers.

Mark your calendar for December 10 at noon EST. Visit classic.foodandwine.com to secure your spot at what Hunter Lewis promises will be an unforgettable celebration. Because some experiences are worth the altitude—and this is definitely one of them.