FOOD & WINE | Volunteer Program

Any changes to the 2026 volunteer program will be posted here.

FOOD & WINE is committed to the health and safety of all our guests’ staff, volunteers and talent. Attendees’ safety and comfort will remain our top priority as we plan and prepare for the 2026 F&W Classic in Aspen. The festival regulations, policies and protocols are under constant review, fully subject to change and will be continually updated and revised in accordance with the most current public health (CDC, State of Colorado, Pitkin County, City of Aspen) information, direction, and official guidelines.

Mandatory Volunteer Orientation is an online course that all chairpersons and volunteers take from his/her own computer or device. A link to the orientation will be sent to confirmed volunteers in spring of 2026 and must be completed prior to picking up volunteer credentials. 

Volunteers may be required to complete a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) course which will also be conducted online and completed by each volunteer on his/her own computer or device prior to picking up volunteer credentials. 

If you are a volunteer in good standing from 2025, you will receive an email with an invitation for priority registration in March. The email will be sent to the email address we have on file from 2025 and will be valid for the recipient only. An invitation does not guarantee a position or priority registration once public registration has opened. 

If you are a NEW volunteer, online registration will be open to the public on April 2, 2026 at 10am.

Factors considered for volunteer confirmation include recent volunteering for The FOOD & WINE Classic, past performance as a volunteer for the event, and the date of application submission.

Priority registration is given to returning volunteers from the previous year who are in good standing. New volunteers are assigned shifts based on their registration order and qualification, depending on the availability of committee positions. All committee assignments and shifts are subject to modification. 

Volunteers from 2025 in good standing will receive an email with an invitation for priority registration in March.

Only volunteers in good standing who volunteered in 2025 will receive a priority registration invitation. Due to the ongoing evolution of the volunteer program, we are grateful for your tenure and welcome you to register during public registration.  

Volunteers in good standing who volunteered in 2025 will receive an email with a link to register for a volunteer position before public registration goes live. The link will be valid for the recipient only. The email will be an invitation notification only and does not guarantee a position or priority after public registration begins. Invited volunteers still need to complete a full registration form in order to qualify for a volunteer position and will be considered in the order of time and date received.

 

All volunteers are evaluated  on their performance by his/her chairperson or shift leader based  on the following criteria: attendance, teamwork, and compliance with the event's code of conduct.  Performance  information is shared with the Volunteer Manager for future qualification.
 

During  the priority volunteer registration period  and  the public (new) volunteer registration period, the waitlist will be available to all eligible volunteers. The waitlist will be considered in order of registration time and date,  we  highly recommend registering under the waitlist when volunteer positions fill up. Volunteer applicants on the waitlist may be contacted to fill a position up until the event weekend. 

Public / new volunteer registration will open April 2, 2026 at 10am.

The Volunteer Program Manager can be reached at [email protected] . Please allow up to 24 business hours for a response.