Aspen Meadows Resortis hosting its third Juneteenth Celebration, which marks the end of the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 16.
The event which was introduced in 2022 by Aspen Meadows’ hospitality partner, Salamander Collection, is personally hosted by Salamander founder and CEO Sheila Johnson.
“This is part of the re-envisioning of what the Meadows could be and creating events that promote cultural diversity,” said Justin Todd, general manager ofAspen MeadowsResort. “It was the vision of our founder and CEO Sheila Johnson who wanted to bring an event to the property in collaboration with Food & Wine Magazine to close out the Classic and celebrate Juneteenth, which is very important to many people, especially Ms. Johnson.”
Designed to celebrate culinary diversity, excellence, and the national Juneteenth holiday, the brunch-inspired event is sponsored by the award-winning Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, whichhonors the world’s first-known Black master distiller, Nearest Green.
The celebration willfeature the culinary talents of chef and James Beard Foundation Book Award winner JJ Johnson from FieldTrip in New York City; the highly-regarded and St. Lucian-born Chef Shorne Benjamin from Fat Fowl in Brooklyn; Chef Mawa McQueen from the Michelin Guide Recommended Mawa’s Kitchen in Aspen; Trinidadian Chef Osei “Picky” Blackett, owner of Picky Eaters Restaurant, Ariapita Restaurant, and Chef Picky Events & Catering in New York City; and Chef Rachel Saxton and Chef Sara Figueiredo from West End Social. DJ Doughboy will return for a second year to spin the tunes.
What is Juneteenth?
For many Americans, July 4 is the day they celebrate the nation’s independence with food, fireworks, parades, and patriotism. But for many Black Americans, this date doesn’t reflect the experiences of their ancestors or their lived experiences, so they look to another date to celebrate.
On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared “that all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious states “are, and henceforward shall be free.” The proclamation paved the way for the Thirteenth Amendment, which was issued on Dec. 6, 1865, and formally abolished slavery throughout the United States.
And yet, not all enslaved people in Confederate territory would automatically gain their freedom.
Juneteenth (which is a play on the words June 19th) marks the day in 1865 that General Gordon Granger and 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, and announced that by executive decree, the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state were free.
The celebration has evolved and expanded since then, but food, family, and community remain at the heart of the day.
The Aspen Times arts and entertainment editor, Sarah Girgis, wanted to know what Juneteenth meant to this year’s participating chefs and why they wanted to celebrate in Aspen. Below are the answers in their own words.
Chef Mawa McQueen: “I am excited to again be involved in Juneteenth at Aspen Meadows. I think it is important to celebrate Juneteenth, and I am happy to see another space honoring and advocating for diversity and other cultures in the valley. This work is so important to me and central to my mission as a restaurateur in Aspen-Snowmass, and it’s great to see others rally the community as well to take part in something that is already well-rooted in other cities.”
Chef JJ Johnson: “In my opinion, there’s no better time to visit Aspen than in June. The blooming landscapes and weather bring out such a positive energy throughout the entire city. That energy — alongside incredible food, drinks, and music — is going to make for a memorable Juneteenth. I’m looking forward to bringing my own Afro-Caribbean flavors to the table for this important celebration.”
Chef Osei “Picky” Blackett: “On hearing that it was a Juneteenth event, I was sold. Any opportunity to showcase food from the African diaspora, especially on Juneteenth, I’m all for it. I don’t want to give away much about the menu right now, but mine will have some delicious oxtails in it.”
Chef Shorne Benjamin: “I am honored to participate in Aspen Meadows Juneteenth Culinary Event, celebrating the rich history, culture, and contributions of the African American community. It is not only a moment of reflection, education, and festivity, this culinary event also allows me to celebrate the vibrant culinary traditions of my heritage that have been passed down through generations. I look forward to showcasing dishes that highlight the culinary flavors that are deeply rooted in both African American and Caribbean culture. Through food, we can bridge cultural divides, educate, and bring communities together in a spirit of unity and celebration.”
Tickets cost$85 per person, which includes taxes, and fees, and a donation toLIFT-UP, which helps feed the community from Parachute to Aspen.
To purchase, visit aspenmeadows.com/juneteenth.
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