See What Top Chef Alums Were Up to at the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen 2023

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From June 16 to June 18, some of the world’s most renowned culinary innovators, wine and spirits experts, and celebrity chefs came together to celebrate the 40th anniversary of The FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen. The three-day experience allowed attendees to participate in numerous cooking demonstrations, wine and cocktail tastings, panel discussions with experts, and other special events.

Buddha Lo Reflects on His Past FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen Experience

Among the culinary and hospitality elites was Bravo’s Top Chef Season 20 World All-Stars winner, Buddha Lo, who showcased his culinary skills during his presentation. Buddha reflected on the special event by sharing an Instagram Reel that highlighted the impressive turnout.

“Six years ago I did my first cooking demo and I had only three people attend one of which was [Rebekah Pedler], he wrote. “Today I did a cooking demo at Aspen [FOOD & WINE] with not one seat to spare and a line forming an hour before the demonstration. I'm extremely thankful for everyone that made time out of their day today to come watch me do what love.”

Top Chef Alums and Celebrity Chefs in Action at the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen

In addition to Buddha, his fellow Season 20 finalists Ali Ghzawi and Sara Bradley were also in attendance for the festivities.

Chefs at the at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic
Chefs at the at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic

Chefs at the at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorado. Photo: Galdones Photography/FOOD & WINE

Attendees of the event were in for a treat as Season 13’s Kwame Onwuachi teamed up with Season 19 finalist Damarr Brown and Season 12 runner-up Gregory Gourdet to host a private pop-up dinner. In a June 24 Instagram post, Damarr noted he had the “best time cooking at the 40th annual [FOOD & WINE] festival in Aspen.” In a separate post, Kwame looked back on his experience by writing, “What a weekend.”

Other Top Chef alums who made an appearance were Brooke Williamson, Brother Luck, Carla Hall, Claudette Zepeda, Joe Sasto, Justin Sutherland, Kristen Kish, Mei Lin, Nina Compton, Nini Nguyen, Tiffany Derry, and judge Gail Simmons.

Guests and chefs at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorado.
Guests and chefs at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorado.

Guests and chefs at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorado. Photo: Galdones Photography/FOOD & WINE

Buddha Lo Bts Tour Top Chef Hotel
Buddha Lo Bts Tour Top Chef Hotel

Top Chef Season 20 Cheftestant Buddha Lo Just Revealed Surprising Show Secrets

Several celebrity chefs, including Andrew Zimmern, Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, and Maneet Chauhan attended the three-day experience and showed off their culinary skills too.

Scroll down below to see more of what former contestants, celebrities, and attendees were doing at The FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen 2023:

Buddha Lo Food at the at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic
Buddha Lo Food at the at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic

Buddha Lo Food at the at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorado. Photo: Galdones Photography/FOOD & WINE

Gail Simmons and Guests at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorado.
Gail Simmons and Guests at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorado.

Gail Simmons and Guests at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorado. Photo: C2 Photography / FOOD & WINE

Chef at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen.
Chef at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen.

Chef at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorado. Photo: C2 Photography / FOOD & WINE

Buddha Lo Food at the at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic.
Buddha Lo Food at the at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic.

Buddha Lo Food at the at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorado. Photo: C2 Photography / FOOD & WINE

Food appetizer at the
Food appetizer at the

Food appetizer at the at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorado. Photo: C2 Photography / FOOD & WINE

Guests at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorodo.
Guests at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorodo.

Guests at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorado. Photo: C2 Photography / FOOD & WINE

Gregory Gourdet cooking on a panel at FOOD & WINE Classic.
Gregory Gourdet cooking on a panel at FOOD & WINE Classic.

Gregory Gourdet at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorado. Photo: C2 Photography / FOOD & WINE

Guests at the at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen
Guests at the at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen

Guests at the at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorado. Photo: C2 Photography / FOOD & WINE

Views of a party at the at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen
Views of a party at the at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen

General views of a party at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorado. Photo: C2 Photography / FOOD & WINE

Chef at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorodo.
Chef at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorodo.

Chef at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorado. Photo: C2 Photography / FOOD & WINE

Chef and guest at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorado.
Chef and guest at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorado.

Chef and guest at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorado. Photo: C2 Photography / FOOD & WINE

Gail Simmons and Guy Fiery at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic
Gail Simmons and Guy Fiery at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic

Gail Simmons and Guy Fiery at the 40th anniversary of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colorado. Photo: C2 Photography / FOOD & WINE