Top Dining Adventures Rolling Out Along the Strip
by Larry Shapiro
If you love food festivals and the glitz and glamor of Las Vegas as much as I do, you’ll want to check out Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appetit. Several events promise to sell out quickly for this huge and ultra popular foodie happening.
Typical of Vegas, this will be an over-the-top extravaganza—with an all-star roster of more than 40 of the most famous names in celebrity chefdom, from established megastar restaurateurs Michael Mina, Julian Serrano and Hubert Keller, to chef/TV personalities Emeril Lagasse, Guy Fieri and Gordon Ramsay.
There will be 23 different, one-of-a-kind events during the four days of festivities, spanning venues on the Vegas strip from Aria at City Center to the MGM Grand, Bellagio and Caesars Palace.
Here’s how it works. Most of the events take place in restaurants run by the presenting chefs, alone or teamed up with guest chefs. The menus usually include wine pairings, or in some cases artisan beer and at one event, specialty and rare bourbons. Some are stand up, mix-and-mingles, others are seated affairs, and there are daytime, as well as evening functions.
The Main Event
The headliner event is The Grand Tasting, poolside at Caesar’s Palace Garden of the Gods Pools. There will be a staggering array of signature dishes from some of the world’s most celebrated chefs. This promises to be an memorable experience, with over 75 award-winning chefs and free-flowing wines and spirits from around the world. The event runs rain or shine.
Here are just a few of the other interesting items on the event calendar that caught my eye. On April 23rd, as part of the Vegas Uncork’d Master Series, Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, renowned for their innovative Southwest cuisine, will spice things up with tequila and tacos at their new Border Grill restaurant located inside The Forum Shops at Caesars.
You’ll savor unlimited signature tacos, ceviches, seafood cocktails, oysters, and more. Top off the celebration with an array of unique margaritas from an interactive bar.
ARIA’S sophisticated seasonal restaurant Sage, will be the venue for a special wine pairing and dining experience featuring limited availability, hand selected wines from Sonoma’s Flowers Winery and Vineyard, along with a five course farm-to-table dinner from James Beard Award-winning chef, Shawn McClain.
Unusual Offerings
How about something different—like a Southwest cuisine cooking class with star chefs, or a behind the scenes peek at French pastry-making with James Beard award winning chef, Francois Payard.
Or even more fun if you’re a TV food competition fan, try your hand being a contestant just like on television, at Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen at Caesars. While you prepare dinner (under professional supervision) Ramsay may spew searing insults at you just like like he does on his show, all at no extra charge.
More Details
Event tickets range from $110 to $300, which seems pricey, but likely to be worth the money, considering the chance to rub elbows with renowned chefs, dine on terrific food, hang out in glamorous surroundings, and enjoy unlimited premium wine or spirits at most events.
Overall, this promises to be an exceptional eating adventure with lots of great memories. For more information, check out the Vegas Uncork’d website, www.vegasuncorked.com.
An upcoming post will share some top dining picks in Vegas, which has become an extraordinary venue for foodies. And the best part is you don’t need to spend a fortune.
c 2015-2023 Larry Shapiro/Fork on the Run
*****
If you liked this story, please use the share buttons below to share it with your friends. Also be sure to subscribe – it’s free. Lastly, please feel free to contact us anytime with comments, suggestions or feedback using the contact form. Your thoughts are really important to us and we respond to every note.
Share This:
