Skip the diet and get ready to dine on the best dishes from your favorite restaurants when three big food events come to Las Vegas in May.
Vegas Uncork’d
It kicks off with Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appetit, the huge foodie weekend. The event pulls together more than 50 award-winning chefs and sommeliers during the Grand Tasting at the Garden of the Gods at Caesars Palace Friday, May 6. The annual centerpiece event for the Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit weekend brings together the world’s top culinary talent from resorts such as Bellagio, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Wynn Las Vegas, Encore Las Vegas, Aria, The Venetian, The Palazzo and, for the first time, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Among the dozens of chefs scheduled to attend this year: Paul Bartolotta, Hubert Keller, Joël Robuchon, Charlie Palmer, Michael Mina, Shawn McClain, Mary Sue Milliken, Rick Moonen, Francois Payard, Guy Savoy, Julian Serrano and Jet Tila. For the first time, Michel Richard of Central 24/7 and Nobu Matsuhisa of Nobu — both of newly announced but yet-to-open restaurants at Caesars Palace — and Scott Conant (Scarpetta and D.O.C.G.), Bruce and Eric Bromberg (Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill), Stephen Hopcraft (STK) and David Myers (Comme Ça) of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
New this year is a specially designated mixology experience at the Venus Pool with classic cocktails and one-night-only creations from Tony Abou-Ganim and Steve Olson to name a few.
Grand Tasting tickets are $200 per person. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. Additional information on Vegas Uncork’d presented by Bon Appétit, including a full list of participating chefs, full event schedule and ticket information may be found at www.VegasUncorked.com.
Taste of the Nation
With a passion to fight childhood hunger, Las Vegas ’ hottest chefs, restaurants, and mixologists will gather for Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation, a culinary benefit to raise critical funds needed to support Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger. This year’s event will be Thursday, May 19, at Rain Nightclub at the Palms from 6:30 to 9 p.m., with a VIP reception beginning at 5:30 p.m.
More than 35 of the city’s to chefs and restaurants will participate in the gastronomic event. Along with Chef Carlos Guía of The Country Club – a New American Steakhouse, participating restaurants will include Alize at The Top of The Palms, American Fish at Aria, Nobu at the Hard Rock Hotel, Sirio at Aria, Scarpetta at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, Nove Italiano at Palms and Tao and Lavo at Venetian and Palazzo, plus many more. Guests will enjoy the city’s finest cuisine paired with great wines and signature cocktails.
In addition to fabulous food and drinks, the event will feature a silent auction with once-in-a-lifetime items and a spirited live auction hosted by popular radio and television personalities, Nate Tannenbaum and Molly Sullivan of KTNV’s “Cool in Vegas.”
This year’s event also offers something special for VIPs, including a champagne reception and early entrance to the event giving time to mix and mingle with the chefs. All VIP guests will receive a gift bag to take away from the event with fun gifts from local businesses and retailers.
Area charities that will benefit from this year’s event include Three Square Food Bank, Catholic Charities of Las Vegas, UNCE Chefs for Kids and Project MANA. Since 1988, Taste of the Nation has raised more than $70 million for organizations in the United States , Canada and abroad, including almost $1 million in Las Vegas alone.
Tickets for Taste of the Nation Las Vegas are $75 for general admission and $100 for VIP and can be purchased by calling 1-877-26-TASTE or visiting TasteOfTheNation.org.
Las Vegas Epicurean Affair
Las Vegas’ world renowned restaurants are gearing up for the gourmet event of the year — the Las Vegas Epicurean Affair. On Thursday, May 26, many of the best will unite again poolside at The Palazzo to give guests a taste of why Nevada’s restaurant industry is famous for its distinctive fair.
The Las Vegas Epicurean Affair promises a tantalizing evening of culinary splendor Thursday, May 26 at the Palazzo. Guests will savor samplings of cuisine and cocktails from prestigious restaurants and beverage purveyors in a luxurious poolside setting at the Palazzo sponsored by Nevada Restaurant Association.
Past participants at the event have included Bradley Odgen, Wolfgang Puck’s Cut, Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House, Restaurant Guy Savoy, Lagasse’s Stadium, Nobu Las Vegas, Prime Steakhouse, Red Square, Table 10, Valentino and many more.
The Las Vegas Epicurean Affair takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Pools at the Palazzo. General admission tickets are $100 each. VIP tickets are $150 per person for early admission at 6 p.m. To complete the evening, private cabanas are also available. Proceeds from the event benefit Nevada Restaurant Association’s educational and scholarship programs. For tickets, visit www.palazzo.com/epicurean, www.venetian.com/epicurean or call suite reservations at 702-607-4100.
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