It certainly looks like I have two homes now! I was back in Beaver Creek, CO again this weekend for the amazing Beaver Creek Food & Wine Weekend.

This was a super fun event that started on Thursday evening & kept us really busy with sips & bites until Sunday. A long weekend of food, skiing, parties & more!

You need to know I stayed at 3 hotels in one week. It was exploratory. Lots of packing & unpacking.

First I stayed at The Pines Lodge, that is my view above. Nice eh?! This is a lovely RockResorts boutique hotel with a stellar staff & an amazing fitness center that came in handy with all of my foodie indulgences! The fabulous Grouse Mountain Grill is there too.

Second, the Park Hyatt…Aprés Ski S’mores are a HUGE hit for kids & adults…This hotel is right next to a gondola that whisks you right up the mountain. Super convenient & a hot party spot. A larger hotel with an intimate vibe.

This is the bar at the Hyatt…I did say party.

Third, the Lodge at Vail…they have a great fire pit, which is a sizzlin’ spot for aprés ski as well.

I did a photo shoot for this property and got to sample their menu. It is wonderful! No matter where you end up in Beaver Creek/Vail you can let your hair down, unwind and feel very well taken care of. They honor each & every guests needs.

The Food & Wine Weekend kick-off event was the Meet the Chefs Reception at the Beaver Creek Club.

The Weekend is put on by the Beaver Creek Resort company. With Food & Wine magazine being the main sponsor & Stella Artois being a key sponsor as well.

There was local talent & celebrity guest chefs as well. A few guest chefs you might be familiar with: Gavin Kaysen, Tim Love, Naomi Pomeroy, Alex Seidel & Fabio Viviani.

Host chefs included: Christian Apetz, David Gutowski, Daniel Joly, Jay McCarthy, David Wolford & Kirk Weems.

There is so much amazing talent in Beaver Creek. I’m happy to say lots of these chefs are becoming good pals.

Yes, this cucumber cocktail was a good as it looks & very refreshing. Designed by Alex Ott.

Along with world class wines there was this Cidre by Stella Artois. Have you tried it yet? Oh you must!

Chef Tim Love was the Guest Chef serving up Après-Tiki on Friday. He fed us whole roasted lamb + pig & a bunch of great sauces & sides.

The pineapple drink in the first photo was another amazing cocktail creation by Alex Ott, perfect with the BBQ.

This was the ultimate Rocky Mountain Luau.

These guys kept us well fed.

The traditional Tiki entertainment was super fun!

There were beautiful hula dancers. This has gotta be the cutest bartender ever. I love her fur hood.

I dig the Eskimo/Hawaiian contrast at this party.

The awesome staff at the events always made sure we were well taken care of.

On Saturday, Après Ski Burgers was another fun party…a DJ was spinning tunes while friendly Chefs worked the flame to bring us unique burger creations. Above is Daniel Joly, Esecutive Chef from Beaver Creek’s Mirabelle restaurant.

There were burgers…

& beer…

& teeny tiny doggies named “Happy Girl”…

The Grand Tasting was Saturday evening, after the Aprés-Ski Burgers.

This elegant event showcased the talents of the best chefs in Beaver Creek alongside the celebrity chef guests. The food & drinks were abundant & well selected. Chefs presented good sized tastings so we got a great feel for their style.

One of the stand outs was this delicious Apple Braised Smoked Pork Belly by Chef David Burton Sanchez…my pal from The Osprey hotel.

I love the richness of the pork combined with the fresh rainbow radish slaw.

Here is Chef David with his brother Fabio Viviani…just kidding. Not brothers at all…but they could be.

The wine & cocktails were flowing…

Lots of food & cocktails…

The crowd was more than pleased! (I think about 600 were in attendance at the Grand Tasting)

Here is what you see above: Alex Ott being goofy & his Serenity Cocktail. Wood Grilled Venison Tenderloin with Whole Grain Porridge & Blackberry Jus (Chef Kirk Weems, Allie’s Cabin) Stuffed Squid with Fingerling Potato & Sauce Verde (Chef Justin Kalaluhi, Rocks Modern Grill) Breakfast Housemade Bacon, Oatmeal, Berries, Redeye Gravy, Maple Syrup (Chef David Gutowski)

Sunday the Chefs indulged their competitive side in a ski race…

Hope to see you next year in Beaver Creek!

Related Links

• Beaver Creek Food & Wine Weekend
• Food & Wine Magazine
• RockResorts
• Stella Artois
• The Osprey at Beaver Creek MarlaMeridith.com

Disclosure: I am working to help promote this wonderful ski resort & their affiliates. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Hope you can visit soon!