Trend Report: The Cannabis Cuisine Scene Grows At The Food & Wine Classic In Aspen

Trend Report: The Cannabis Cuisine Scene Grows At The Food & Wine Classic In Aspen

The Grand Tasting Pavilion at the 38th Food & Wine Classic in Aspen held Sept. 10-12, 2021. After a historic 2019 debut at the annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, cannabis earned another seat at the culinary festival's coveted table (Sept. 10-12, 2021). The three-day outdoor event marked a triumphant return following the cancellation of the 2020 summer edition, rescheduled instead against an autumn alpine backdrop. Headliners from Martha Stewart, Guy Fieri and Andrew Zimmern to Bravo "Top Chefs" including Melissa King, Shota Nakajima and Kwame Onwauchi toasted to gathering again, leading a full slate of tastings and seminars. The sold-out crowd was smaller this year as organizers responded to the ongoing effects of the pandemic by hosting about half of its usual capacity (2, 500 festivalgoers were required to confirm vaccination). Since first embracing CBD-forward brands two years ago, the Meredith Corporation-owned media company has furthered its interest in cannabis as it relates to the food and wine worlds — in 2020, the magazine published its first in-depth report on the subject and has seen an increase in reader response for infused recipes and news items, according to Food & Wine editor-in-chief Hunter Lewis. Editor-in-chief Hunter Lewis kicks