Texas Outlaw Party at Kenichi Rocks Aspen

ASPEN, COLORADO­­–Holy crow people love a good party in this town. And today’s Texas Outlaw Party at Kenichi in Aspen didn’t disappoint a one of them. This annual throw down was organized seven years ago by Jeffrey Yarbrough, the boy who busted his chops in Deep Ellum (Club Clearview) before becoming a man with a restaurant (Liberty Noodles) and is now the brains behind Big Ink PR, and his long-time buddy Kevin Williamson of Ranch 616 in Austin. It has drawn and continues to draw all of the folks from Texas who attend or star in the Classic along with all the festival attendees who love all things Texas—people like Mario Batali, Jaques Pépin, and Drew Nieporent. Today there were loads of former Dallasites now residing in Aspen, and there were air kisses and hugs all around. Food by Tim Love, Kevin Williamson, and Tom Perini paired perfectly with wine from Becker Vineyards and Tito’s poured its Texas-made vodka. You know what? That’s about all I remember. Must be the altitude. (top photo: Kenichi founder Billy Rieger and Kevin “Big Blue” Williamson) (photo below: Steve Spiritus, Mickey Ford, Ryan Spiritus)