On June 13, the Aspen Food & Wine Classic kicked off with a luncheon at the Hotel Jerome hosted by Chris Grdovic, the publisher of Food & Wine magazine, and Hotel Jerome General Manager Tony DiLucia.

While the purpose was educational — wine expert Marnie Old imparted her wisdom on pairing food and wine — the mood was celebratory, with many regulars to the classic seeing the newly renovated hotel for the first time. As with any Food & Wine event, only the finest in food and drink was served, and that meant 7X flat iron steaks as the featured entrée for the attendees.

Chef Rob Zack and his kitchen staff served up 7X Beef flat iron steak with vegetable hash and crispy onion salad, paired perfectly (and generously) with wine selections by sommelier Old. Those Food & Wine folk certainly know how to get a party started.