Back in 2013, when I was working for another publication, I had the opportunity to attend the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. I learned five things.
- You can score a cheap condo with a fireplace in the summer.
2. Second, the Aspen Saturday Market is a great place to buy cheap, local food to enjoy in your cheap condo.
3. I hate standing in line. I mean, I already knew I hated standing in line. I once almost got in a fistfight with a German couple with an aggressive baby stroller that tried to cut in line at the Vatican. What I didn’t realize was that I especially hate standing in line for tiny cocktails and plastic serving cups of sushi.
4. No one should spend their own money to go here. If you want a life-changing foodie excursion, go to Barbecue University with Steven Raichlen at The Broadmoor. I surprise even myself with what I can now do on a Weber.
5. Marcus Samuelsson is way cooler than Tim Love.
This is pretty much how Tim’s food presentation went: “Get yourself a big steak. Put it on a hot grill. Flip it.” [Crowd goes wild.]
Marcus, on the other hand, gave a very insightful lecture on the history of European beer and cheese, discussed the variety of ways beer can be paired with food for surprising effect, and demonstrated a multitude of ways to fry chicken. All while weaving in stories about his cross-cultural childhood. He was charming, I learned something, and I got to eat some really tasty things.
Marcus will be at Fearing’s on Sunday for a special brunch to celebrate Black History Month and the recent release of The Red Rooster Cookbook: The Story of Food and Hustle in Harlem. The menu will include Fearing’s usual à la carte items along with appetizers, main courses, and desserts from Marcus’ cookbook. And don’t worry—if you make a reservation, you won’t need to wait in line.
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