Foodies and Fans Can Mix and Mingle with Favorite Chefs

From Aug. 30 through Sept. 5 you can celebrate Restaurant Week Las Vegas, the chance to dine out at more than 80 of Las Vegas’ popular establishments at discounted prices to raise money to benefit Three Square – a nonprofit organization in Las Vegas working to end hunger in Southern Nevada.

But this is a weeklong party, so the MGM Grand is offering a preparty and four afterparties during Restaurant Week. This is the chance to mix and mingle with your favorite chefs.

On Aug. 29 Executive Chef Stephen Hopcraft from SeaBlue at MGM Grand will demonstrate how to shuck oysters and prepare SeaBlue’s Paella and Sangria from noon to 2 p.m. A cheftestant on Bravo’s Top Chef Washington, D.C., foodies and fans in Las Vegas can see Hopcraft in person interact with the audience and enjoy a great meal all for a good cause. The cost is $60.10

Aug. 30 is MGM Grand’s Wet Your Appetite at Wet Republic from 8 p.m. to midnight. The opening celebration will feature booths and food stations from several of the 80 participating restaurants. Guests will have the opportunity to taste dishes prepared by chefs from Joël Robuchon, Craftsteak, Fiamma, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, Jean Georges Steakhouse, Sage, Burger Bar, Fleur de Lys, Sensi, Osteria del Circo and Todd English’s Olives. Heineken-brand beers and wine also will be available. Chef Keller will showcase his mixmaster talents, proving he’s both king of the kitchen and ruler of the turntables.

Complimentary food and drinks will be available until 10 p.m. and tickets bought in advance for this event can be used as a $30.10 dining voucher at any participating MGM Grand restaurant during Restaurant Week. Tickets to the event are $30.10.

It is Tease in the Kitchen Aug. 31 beginning at 10:30 p.m. when award-winning cuisine is blended with burlesque dancers in Joël Robuchon L’Atelier’s open kitchen. Indulge in champagne, wine and hors d’oeuvres along with music and entertainment. The cost is $70.10

Hump day, Sept. 1, is a Night of High Spirts in Craftsteak with Scotch selections, California wines, passed hor d’oeuvres and tasting stations of steak preparations beginning at 10:30 p.m. Add billiard tables and live music. The cost is $30.10.

Sept. 2 is Birufest 2010, a Celebration of Japanese Beer, at Shibuya offering 28 Japanese and Japanese-style beers including Shibuya own private labels. If you aren’t a beer drinker, there will be sake and other beverages offered along with passed hor d’oeuvres, entertainment and Japanese-inspired art exhibit. The after party starts at 10:30 and the cost is $30.10

Tickets are available by calling the MGM Grand Concierge at 877.660.0660.

To find out more about Three Square, visit www.threesquare.org.

For at look at seven of the best menus from Restaurant Week, click here.