The Food & Wine Classic has begun in Aspen and this year the libations are flowing with gusto while the food has left me hungry...

June 13th, 2008 at 05:03pm rochelle 35

The Food & Wine Classic has begun in Aspen and this year the libations are flowing with gusto while the food has left me hungry. Last night I attended the Wines from Spain soiree held at a private home where I chatted with chef Jose Andres. He was funny and truly engaging. The main dish at the soiree was “Paella” a Spanish version of jambalaya. His crew struggled with the altitude to find a boiling point to make the Paella and it showed in the dish … that being said the chef on the grill kept the party hopping with his chorizo sausage sandwich best described as a “Braut with a tasty bite”.  I can’t wait to make those at home! At the soiree attendees were educated on the fine olive oil produced from Spain…my favorite the Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil-and in the lower level of the soiree the “Wine Geek” Andy served up sherry cocktails that made everyone want to host a cocktail party immediately. As the night sky was being lit by fireworks in Aspen I chatted with chef/personalities of the Bravo television show “Top Chef” and student chefs from the Culinary Institute of America-after the party the student chefs and I were escorted to our next destination in a brand new Lexus courtesy of Food & Wine. This morning I woke up to meet Jim Koch, of Sam Adams Beer Company at the KSPN studios. What a delight he was-he left a huge impression on the KSPN listeners as after his live interview many called in to the KSPN studios and stated they “can’t wait to buy his beer”. Later on I met up with Jim Koch at his famous Sam Adams Craft Beer & Food Pairing lunch at the Little Nell in Aspen. Attendees were treated to a Sam Adams tasting with each course. My favorites included the Cherry Wheat Sam Adams beer-it reminded me of the first time I tasted soda pop-I felt like a kid! I also enjoyed the taste of the 2007 limited edition batch of the Sam Adams Chocolate Bock, a perfect match for any dessert. As for the courses-everyone agreed the vegetarian plates looked and tasted the best…we meat eaters were served rabbit, foie gras and squab and many other forgettable dishes as most plates went back to the kitchen after a bite. Not all was lost with the luncheon as by the end the chefs finally got it right and matched the beer with a course that being the “Dessert Trio Course” that included servings of Gingerbread Samuel Adams Cream Stout cake with blossom bluff peaches and cream & beer nuts; Colorado cherry & almond tart with Montgomery’s Cloutbound 2-year chedar; and Mini butterscotch panna cotta with Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock Gelee (My favorite).  To find out more about the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen go to www.foodandwine.com and for more information on Samuel Adams beer go to www.bostonbeer.com Cheers!

Entry Filed under: Food, Aspen, Colorado, Nightlife, The West, United Post