"I don't know how many Michelin stars are on stage, but it's a lot."
--Andrew Knowlton, Deputy Editor Bon Appétit
A
few weeks ago Edible Skinny was lucky enough to enjoy the foodie high
life at the 11th Annual
Vegas Uncork'd, a four day long food
extravaganza held by Bon Appétit.
Vegas Uncork'd is the
premier culinary and wine event in Las Vegas, offering exclusive
one-of-a-kind experiences with celebrity chefs. The weekend was quite
the epicurean whirlwind full of high living hors d'oeuvres to champagne
connoisseur-ing. Here's our recap of the indulgence of great wines,
tasty morsels, and seeing all our favorite celebrity chefs IRL (aka In
Real Life).
Our first foray into this world of bites of
bliss was Celebrate
Spago, a 25th Anniversary Lunch with Wolfgang Puck
at Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. The event, hosted by the darling
Andrew Knowlton, the Deputy Editor of Bon Appétit, was a Candyland
experience for the taste buds. It marked the 25th anniversary of
Wolfgang Puck in Las Vegas, who unfortunately wasn't able to attend
because of an emergency. Because I was a Veg many aspects of the
original menu was redone for me, but the original four course menu
included a simply fabulous Carrot dish! Topped with miso carrot puree
that had been fermented for eight months and finished with a carrot
infused oil the dish was divinity in vegetable form. Perfect for
everyone from a high dining Bugs Bunny to a standard operating carnivore
on Meatless Monday! It was paired perfectly with a Grgich-Hills
Chardonnay from Napa Valley, a bottle, like many, distributed by wine
sponsor
Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits of Nevada. The delectable
dessert of this event was the White Chocolate Rhubarb with Citrus Cake
and Fennel, a unique submission in a world saturated by. The sucré
morsel was paired with the fantastic finishing wine of Alois Kracher
Cuvée Beerenaslese from Burgenland, Austria (and to celebrate one of the
most successful Austrian chefs in Vegas)!
Immediately
after our delights at Spago I swung over to Mandalay Bay's
Libertine Social for their Fireside Chats to a meet, and greet, and eat with Chef
Shawn McClain. Libertine Social is a next-generation gastropub with a
variety of experiences ranging from an uber-social center bar to a more
secluded classic cocktail room. With an "Arcade Bar" (which is their
version of an alcoholic set of Russian nesting dolls with a bar within a
bar) full of "libation and parlor tricks." I was in brown bar heaven
(I'm a totally Bourbon girl!). This is a "'Bar' Bar" with drinks
categorized into Daisies and Fixes, Cobblers and Cups, and Juleps and
Smashes. In honor of the impending Kentucky Derby we imbibed
Prescription Juleps composed of Piere Ferrand 1840 Cognac, Rittendhouse
Rye Whiskey, Fresh Sprearmint, Demerara Syrup, and Appleton Jamaican
Rum. This was paired expertly with the fantastic Caviar "Fried Egg" made
with Kaluga Caviar (but not for the Veggie), Corn Pudding, and Brioche.
The dish was created as an "approachable caviar dish," and I have to
say that the presentation made this Veg question whether or not she
might want to approach it! Another standout dish was the Roasted
Cauliflower with Hazelnuts, Romesco, Dates and Toasted Breadcrumbs.
Crafted by Chef Shawn himself behind the grill (who also has restaurants
Five50 and Sage in Vegas) the dish was the perfect balance of
vegetables to remind me of the glories of greens!
Edible
Skinny's third event (that's right three food events in one day!) was
the Grand Tasting at the Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis at Caesars
Palace. The Grand Tasting is the signature event of Vegas Uncork'd,
where over 2,500 food enthusiasts enjoy a staggering variety of
signature dishes prepared by some of the world's most celebrated chefs.
The dramatic five-acre Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis at Caesars Palace
Las Vegas Hotel & Casino featured more than 50 award-winning chefs
and over 100 of the best wines and spirits from around the world. The
best dish hands down was
Eggslut's "The Slut," a Cage-Free Coddled Egg
on top of House made Potato Puree with Chive and Gray Salt. It was
absolute warm heaven in a cup as the night was particularly chilly
windy! Here's to celebrating the Slut, the Eggslut that is! ;-)
But
there was no rest for the foodie as the next day I headed over to
Picnic in The Park, a delightful picnic at The Park, located between
Monte Carlo and New York-New York featuring some of MGM Resorts' most
notable chefs including including Alain Ducasse, Charlie Palmer, Michael
Mina, Julian Serrano, Rick Moonen, Tom Colicchio, Shawn McClain, Roy
Ellamar, Akira Back, and David Werly. It was an event that was so
pretty, it should have its own Pinterest page! Picnic in The Park
offered creative twists on classic picnic dishes, Edible Gardens and
champagne provided by Veuve Clicquot.
There was giant
Jenga, corn hole, and croquet for your inner-child, personalized flower
rings created by Miss Daisy, and The Photo Bus, a vintage VW Bus, which
has been transformed into a photo booth for the occasion. While there I
got to chat it up with Chef
Bryce Shuman who will be opening up Primrose
at the soon to be transformed Park MGM from the Monte Carlo. Shuman
made the best dish of the event a scrumptious Veggie Burger all while
having a deep discussion about his musical side projects
But
I was in a city that never sleeps, especially for foodies, so I dashed
over the next event Sweet Escape, which was an Evening of Buddy,
Beignets, Bonbons & Booze at The Venetian. Hosted by TV personality
Buddy "Cake Boss" Valastro this poolside reception was the ultimate
decadent evening to surrender to the sweet side of life, featuring a
number of world-renowned chefs of The Venetian and The Palazzo, each
preparing a unique take on confectionaries such as beignets or bonbons.
There were Oreo Beignets (from LaVo, and they were Auh-Mazing!), Vanilla
Vodka Cream Soda drinks, a 30 foot donut wall, and coffee drinks
crafted with your favorite chef's profile in latté art!
My
final foray into this epicurean marathon meal at
Rao's at
Caesars Palace. A traditional Sunday Brunch to close out Vegas Uncork'd by Bon
Appétit, the event featured the actual Rao's Family. Rao's partners
Frank Pellegrino Jr. and Ron Straci hosted "Little Italy From City to
Strip" which has been one of the festival's most beloved event for
several years.
The sold out brunch was not only a feast
of Rao's time-honored dishes, but was also interactive, as guests were
walked through how to make pan-seared steak and Zeppoles. First course, I
partook in the Roasted Red Peppers with Tossed Golden Raisins and Pine
Nuts. This was paired with a Rotari Talento Trento Brut Rose Trentino
Alto Adige, Italy. The second course featured Lobster Oreganato of
Lobster Grilled and Toasted with Oregano Bread Crumbs. Pan-Seared Steak
with Sautéed Mushrooms and Onions. Sides included some simply fabulous
Baked Beefsteak Tomatoes and Asparagus and Parmigiano Reggiano.
This
was paired with the delightful Luigi Righetti, Valpolicellla Classico
Superiore Campolieti, Veneto Italy. And can I say Yumm (with 3 Ms!!!)
Dessert consisted of fresh made Zeppoles, aka deep-fried dough balls for
those who didn't grow up in the Italian populated New Jersey, with
Blackberry Gelato. This was paired with Mezzacorona, Moscato, Vigneti
Delle Dolomiti, Trentino Alto Adige, Italy. Boun Appetito!!!
But
all good eats must come to an end and so until next year the kitchen is
closed on Vegas Uncork'd!
Here's to life being delicious and every day
being an epicurean whirlwind!
Kat
Thomas is the Editor in Chief of Edible Skinny, a site dedicated to
making your life postcard worthy. She is also the CEO of the creative
media company This Way Adventures. You can find more about both brands
at http://www.thiswayadventures.com
