Highlights from the Aspen Food and Wine Classic

Ideal weather and scenery greeted people with the pricey passes to Grand Tastings (FNC)

Main Street Bakery Cafe in Aspen.  Locals and visitors may bump into a celebrity, in town for the classic (FNC)

Michael Symon (left) and Bobby Flay (right), signing books (FNC)

Emeril Lagasse stands for television interview outside the Grand Tasting tents (FNC)

Visitors are asked to take one wine glass per customer for the tastings, much to our disappointment. (FNC)

Macaroons at Turks & Caicos table (FNC)

Pistachio truffles at the Godiva booth (FNC)

Shrimp cooked in broken chili sauce with black barley and grapefruit (FNC)

Beef short rib sandwiches In the Kitchen with David, QVC television host (FNC)

Tomatillo gazpacho with shrimp marinated in lime and mezcal topped with chilli peanuts and fresh avocado (FNC)

Certified Angus strip steak with quinoa lentil salad with micro arugala and Cayman sea salt (FNC)

Chef Cheng of Hong Kong restaurant Celebrity Cuisine (this was his first time in the U.S.) (FNC)

Tables ready for opening of the Chefs Club restaurant at the St. Regis hotel in Aspen

Sommelier LeeAnn Kaufman chills the Champagne bottle before sabering ritual at St. Regis hotel

Gail Simmons and Tom Colicchio, who appear together on Bravo's Top Chef, pose for fans (FNC)

Andrew Zimmern mingles and greets guests at the FOOD & WINE Classic 30th anniversary party

Emeril Lagasse and Mario Batali pose in Batali's kitchen area

In the Kitchen with David QVC television host David Venable poses with his likeness

The scene is set for guests to perch on bales of hay at the FOOD & WINE Classic 30th anniversary party (FNC)

Guests had the choice to sit, stand or mingle with beautiful views of Aspen area mountains (FNC)

Some of the swag in the media bag for the FOOD & Wine Classic. items included measuring cup/spoon set, Vinturi aeration, Louisiana's Crystal Hot Sauce, a pass to The Green Room at The Little Nell Residences and much more! (FNC)