Ohhh baby, gimme some of that good stuff
Chef Rob Zack serves his roasted lamb with a smile
An? Aspen Magazine and Viceroy Snowmass party to honor the launch of Aspen Magazine’s Summer Food and Wine Issue, and what a launch it was!
Gretchen and I descended the stairs pretending that we had not just valet parked Vini-man. Kicking back a well deserved chilled shot of tequila, delivered fresh off of the ice luge, I couldn’t help but notice that short jumpsuits had come into fashion, another trend like? crazy leggings with short shirts and stiletto booties that I think I’ll pass. I had a flashback to my New York City days where fashion and a bulging wallet were a large part of my? existence.
I was so thankful to have Gretchen with me who wasted no time in finding Cary, the effervescent champagne connoisseur who made sure her glass was never half full.
I tried my best to work the party but realized that I still have not figured out the best way to inform people of my new career path, “I have a blog,” I say and am met with a blank stare, And? And, IummmI write stories about how I am confounded by my three boys. Annnd I have a new local series where I film and interview locals because I find them so fascinating. Oh and I am a? travel writer where I stay at five star hotels with my family and when they don’t feed us and we bring our own meals, since we can’t afford to eat in the restaurants and, and, andno I have not made any money yet, I mean I have made money but I have not been paid yet and I dont know when or if I will get paid and I really dont know where this is going or how long I can keep this up. By the time I finish either they are really curious and ask for my card or their eyes are glazed over and they touch my arm like it’s been real and pretend that they see somebody in the distance that they need to talk to and then they run off.
We made our way to the hotel’s General Manager, Jeff David, who is becoming my new idol. Jeff is adored by his employees and takes perfectionism to a higher level. I mean, in all my days of traveling throughout Europe as a young girl I never experienced such a smorgasbord of delicious food at a hotel, okay maybe the Sonnenalp Resort of Vail’s Mother’s Day Brunch is a big contender but the Viceroy definitely exceeds all expectations.
Gretchen and I drank our drinks and, without stopping our conversation, delicately reached out to the food trays passing by with pork sandwiches and creative hors d’oeuvres such as Asian soup in a cup. We decided we should be more social and got up to get in line for the buffet. The food was outrageous. My favorite dish was the jalapeno flat bread with tzatziki sauce and the best eggplant I have ever tasted.
When we were finished we noticed that Chef Francis Mo was serving copious amounts of sushi at Nest and so we went in to have a second feast. After a few more glasses of champagne and tequila we went to the dessert buffet bar and I almost wept over Ashley’s Smores served in a shot glass. I didn’t even need to eat it, just looking at it was a mouth watering experience.
Pastry Chef, Ashley Jenkin
When we finally reached Jeff I wanted to tell him that I was ready to jump aboard his ship and become part of his staff, if he would have me.? I was in desperate need of making money.
We walked the party and I did my best to promote my business but it is so much more fun to find out what everybody else is doing to survive in this economy.
The following are photos of some of Aspen’s local entrepreneurs:
Susan and Glossy from Walker and Gull Designs, the best dressed women at the party (other than Gretch of course)
Dean Weiler from EatAspen and his wife Katrina Strecker from StreckTech
Aaron Kyle Behrens with his wife Lauren. Aaron is the lead vocalist and plays guitar for the band Ghostland Observatory. He played at the X-Games.
Jill and Jim from Aspen Brownie Works. Jill is allergic to chocolate, go figure?
The “Who is that guy” guy.
Jillian's Real Life 
I cannot believe that nobody has snapped you up and is going to pay you mega bucks. The way you write deserves that. It will happen, I am sure and I am so pleased the food and drink was good.
.-= Wilma Ham´s last blog ..What are your issues with migrating to ‘Heaven on Earth’? =-.
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Hi Jillian! Great party and opportunity to schmooz! If you ask me, (you didn’t of course but that’s never stopped me – ha!) 80% (or more?)of success is 99% bulls–t. You can’t let them see you sweat – you act successful, they believe you are. Key operative word – ACT – and keep acting until one day you wake up and realize the dream is now the reality.
(You are a writer, you have a well-followed blog, you do extensive travel writing and you are researching several projects right now, busy busy – you might free-lance feature somebody at this party!) NEVER let them see you sweat, and never say you need money, even in jest. There is a smell to desperation, people avoid that. In contrast, there is an appeal about confidence, people gravitate to it. SHINE, girl! You need to believe that you are as fabulous as I think you are!!!! 🙂
hugs
suZen
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SuZen and Wilma, you are my cheering squad, keeping me focused and on track. SuZen I smile when I read your comments knowing that all you say is sooo right on. I do need you, you know!
Wilma, you make me feel like a million dollars and between the two of you I feel like I’m going to conquer the world and when I do guess who will be the first friends that I will fly out to Aspen to celebrate at The Viceroy Snowmass with me??? YOU TWO, but hopefully we won’t have to wait that long to meet each other! Love ya, see ya, mean it!
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JILLIAN: remarkable how your writing skills are evolving to your genius.
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Dede, you keep me going!
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Good advice from your girlfriends! You have a true gift Jillian. Keep it up! By the way, I can’t wait to see the Viceroy!
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Hi Taya,
So nice to speak with you on the phone yesterday as the kids blared the music in our ears. Every moment is now spent wondering should I buy Isagenix, should I do it on my own, can I do it on my own, I have to lose 8-10 before the beach….
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did you meet the winner of Top Chef? isn’t this part of their grand prize? An appearance at the Aspen Food and Wine Festival? could I ask you more questions?
I know how you feel when you tell people about your blog. I get it and yeah, I too have to make more money at this. Have to, being the operative words here.
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Hi Jessica.
No, as I walked around town with three boys and a puppy draped all over me I saw all the Food and Wine attendees having a marvelous time lounging and dining with the top chefs and I thought to myself, I used to be somebody!
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Looks like a fantastic party! I’m a tequila girl too, but I wouldn’t say no to Cary…
Love Suzen’s comment, btw, I may steal that answer from her!
.-= parenting ad absurdum´s last blog ..Do you lie about how you met? =-.
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Ohhh behave Peryl! Down girl down!
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You are very funny!
Little does everyone know that when you drink tequila we never know who will emerge…………I recall dancing on bars in new York with you do to tequla! I also remember you crying in the bathroom that know one loves you…do to the tequila!
Then mixed with champagne?????
I think I just gained ten pounds reading your description of the food!
Great local photos!
OK here is new angle for you…..what about writing about the restaurants and parties when you are in Nantucket?
Love you
Melanie
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Mawack, good thing you are here to let everyone know that I cannot handle my alcohol.
Yes, I am ready to go out with you in Nantucket and document you with all of your beautiful, and crazy, friends! You know that Michele will be there the whole time I am there. We need to start working on her now to come out with us. We can leave the children behind with Jim and Wade.
I am determined to lose ten pounds before I get there.
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