Even though the 31st Food & Wine Classic in Aspen didn’t officially start until today, welcoming parties and kick-off events got underway last night. The official launch party was held at Chefs Club at the St. Regis Aspen, where Food & Wine Editor-in-Chief Dana Cowin and Stephane De Baets, managing director of OptAsia and partner in Chefs Club by Food and Wine, announced the next line of chefs to be featured in the concept restaurant. Best New Chefs Jason Franey (2011) of Canlis in Seattle, Viet Pham (2011) offForage in Salt Lake City, Bryant Ng (2012) of The Spice Table in Los Angeles, and Missy Robbins (2012) of A Voce in New York City will all curate and cook at the Aspen restaurant. And soon, gourmands will be able to enjoy the same experience in New York, as Cowin announced the debut of Chefs Club New York. De Baets said that the restaurants have come to fruition and the “magazine comes to life” inside them.