Aspen Food and Wine

Aspen Food and Wine is my exception to hands-on learning cooking. Mainly because I live 7 miles from Aspen and two years ago Thomas Keller was here. As wonderful as he was, it was three years ago Jacques Pepin who sent me home with recipes and enthusiasm. I keep looking at his "Quick and Easy my Way" videos. Had a dinner party for 12 the other night with two of his concoctions. The first was a roasted chicken with mustard and herbs de Provence. The second was the Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts for desert. The guests raved. So, I get to go back this year, and the first thing I did was to sign up for Jacques Pepin. I have a serious crush on the man. Year before last there was a cheese and wine pairing with Laura Werlin. Wow. I learned a lot. This was hands-on, as we tasted wine with cheeses. This woman is the cheese person in this world at this time. I have signed up for her presentation again. Also signed up with Nancy Silverton — Mario Batali. They, with Joseph Bastianich, have opened up Osteria Mozza in LA. Here are a few of their menu items:

Calamarata with guanciale, tomato & spicy pickled peppers $18 Tagliatelle with oxtail ragu' $19 Francobolli di brasato al Pomodoro basil & ricotta al forno $18 Ricotta Gnudi with cotechino & carrots $19 Spaghetti all'Gricia $17 Maltagliati with wild boar ragu' $18 Calf's Brain Ravioli with sage & lemon $18 Corzetti Stampati with eggplant, olives & fresh ricotta $18 Raviolini di Vitello with thyme $18

Yum. Just my kind of thing. Then I signed up for a lecture by Giada De Laurentiis, one by Michael Richards (entitled "Playing with your Food")one by Ming Tsai, and the fun one :In the Kitchen with Top Chef with Colicchio and Gail Simmons ... with the winner of the 5th Top Chef contest. (Could it really be Carla?)