Often referred to as the unofficial kickoff to summer, the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen has brought some of the world’s finest wine and cuisine to the Roaring Fork Valley for 41 years. This year, more local vendors than ever were celebrated alongside other world-renowned chefs, sommeliers, and food distributors.

The local food showcase program, which highlights local restaurants, chefs, and other vendors, has grown significantly in popularity and attendance in the last 15 years. What used to be two tables in the Grand Tasting tent has grown to ten, with local vendors from the valley and beyond.

“Over the last 15 years or so, our local restaurant program — which now reaches locally all the way to Denver — has really bloomed,” said Devin Padgett, special projects producer for Food & Wine, in an email. “We started small: two positions in our first year, and this year, we are completely sold out at 10-plus positions, which equates to over 50 different local food experiences across all five grand tastings.”