To mark the completion of a US$40 million renovation, the St. Regis Aspen Resort and Food & Wine magazine announced Wednesday that in June they will launch the Chefs Club by Food & Wine restaurant. The exclusive partnership and licensing agreement will bring the Food & Wine brand to life through its Best New Chefs Awards platform, which honors the country’s most promising up-and-coming chefs.
Pioneered by OptAsia Capital, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and Food & Wine, a group of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs will curate a unique menu of seasonally inspired, American Regional cuisine for the hotel. George Mendes (2011) of Aldea, New York City; James Lewis (2011) of Bettola, Birmingham, Alabama; Alex Seidel (2010) of Fruition, Denver, Colorado; and Sue Zemanick (2008) of Gautreau’s, New Orleans, Louisiana, have been chosen to inaugurate the menu, which will rotate bi-annually.
The next group of Best New Chefs, including recipients of the recently announced Best New Chef class of 2012, will be announced later this year to curate the Fall/Winter menu, which will launch in November 2012. Throughout the year, chefs will make appearances at the resort to showcase the concept to guests, residents and the local community.
Additionally, Food & Wine editors will create custom wine and cocktail lists to coincide with the seasonally rotating menu.