Food and Wine Aspen comes directly to your home

For the first time ever, Food and Wine Aspen has a new venue.

From foodies to Top Chef fans, Food and Wine Aspen is one of the pinnacle food festivals. Due to current events, the annual celebration of food, celebrity chefs, sommeliers and more could not take place in its picturesque setting this year. Still, the food and wine needs be served and this year it will happen at your table.

The organizers behind the annual food festival just announced that Food and Wine Aspen will be a digital event. Available for anyone over 21 to register, the digital event will take place from 4 p.m. till 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 23. The digital festival is free for all attendees.

Since the annual Food and Wine event always draws some of the biggest names in the culinary industry, this year’s event is no different. Making appearances in this event include Jacques Pépin, Martha Stewart, Stephanie Izard, Kwame Onwuachi, Ayesha Curry, Garrett Oliver, Anthony Giglio, and F&W culinary experts.

While many people will join the event for the culinary insights, this year’s event looks to both raise funds and awareness for several charitable organizations. From the restaurant industry that continues to struggle in the current environment to raising awareness for social issues that impact every aspect of the nation, this event is a way to bring people together over a common love of food.

Although the venue might have changed, there are many reasons to join together as a community. Hunter Lewis, Editor in Chief of Food & Wine, said “I’m delighted that we’re able to offer this fun and entertaining experience with top talent that also supports relief efforts at a time when there is so much need across the restaurant industry and in areas of social justice.”

This year’s event will raise funds for organizations including “the Jacques Pépin Foundation, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Southern Smoke Foundation, Wholesome Wave, and World Central Kitchen.” Anyone who would like to contribute to these organizations can make a donation via the Classic website.

Although this year’s event is digital, food fans can have a taste of food, wine and other items that will be highlighted during the event. Recipes, wines, beer and other tasting notes will be available online. Regardless of purchasing the items, the event will be entertaining for anyone who appreciates food.

In a way, the organizers have developed a way of adapting one of the best food festivals for the current environment. Even though many people would prefer to go from table to table and sample the delicious plates and enjoy the spirited food conversations, this pivot keeps the spirit of the Food and Wine Festival alive.

Additionally, this version makes the annual event even more accessible to food lovers. For some people, a ticket to this food festival could be out of their reach. Since food is the universal language that connects people in unique ways, this event could spark a new trend in the food world.

With the increase of celebrity chef cooking classes, Instagram cooking demos and other online interactions, online food festivals might become a new opportunity for events. Just because people may not be able to stand shoulder to shoulder and enjoy a plate of food doesn’t mean that they cannot come together over a common passion. While the home kitchen might never replace the exquisite meal prepared in a restaurant kitchen, the flavors recreated by the home chef can reinvigorate those food memories.

Registration for the Food and Wine Aspen digital event is open for registration. The cost is free. Recipes, wine lists and other information is available online.

What is your favorite food festival? Will you join this online event?