
Food & Wine Classic Welcome Party
An evening kickoff reception in Aspen with bites, bubbles, wine, and cocktails for Peak Access passholders and invited special guests.

A Friday evening VIP party atop Aspen Mountain with food, drinks, dancing, and music as part of the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen.
This Friday evening VIP party is organized by Food & Wine / Dotdash Meredith as part of the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. It takes place on June 19, 2026, atop Aspen Mountain, with guests riding the gondola to 11,212 feet for food, drinks, and dancing.
The event is described as an exclusive, invitation-only evening party. The named venue is the Sundeck at Aspen Mountain in Aspen, which gives the event a specific mountain-top location rather than a general festival setting.
The 2026 program uses a Varsity Vintage sports theme tied to Food & Wine's sports-centric issue, with a sports-attire dress code. The food offering follows that theme through elevated stadium-inspired dishes and small bites.
The featured chef lineup names Simon Kim of Gracious Hospitality, COTE, and COQODAQ, along with Stephanie Izard of Girl & the Goat. The available details identify the chefs and affiliations, but do not name individual dishes from either chef.
Entertainment includes a musical performance by hip-hop duo Run the Jewels. Music for the event is also provided by DJ Folami, giving the party both a named live musical act and a named DJ component.
Admission is not sold as a standalone ticket. Access is included in higher-tier packages such as the F&W Summit Access Pass, the Amex Premium Package, and the Food & Wine Gives Pass.
The food offering includes elevated stadium-inspired dishes and small bites.
The featured chefs named for the event are Simon Kim of Gracious Hospitality, COTE, and COQODAQ, and Stephanie Izard of Girl & the Goat.
Run the Jewels is listed for a musical performance, and DJ Folami also provides music.
It is held atop Aspen Mountain, and the Sundeck at Aspen Mountain in Aspen is named as the event venue.
No. Admission is not sold as a standalone ticket; it is included in higher-tier packages such as the F&W Summit Access Pass, the Amex Premium Package, and the Food & Wine Gives Pass.

An evening kickoff reception in Aspen with bites, bubbles, wine, and cocktails for Peak Access passholders and invited special guests.

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