Las Vegas hosts wine and food festival

20 March 2007

LAS VEGAS, Nevada –- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Lobster savored poolside at Caesars Palace, truffles consumed while being serenaded by John Legend at Lake Las Vegas, decadent chocolates sweetening the palate at Bellagio, rare vintage wines sipped during an exclusive dinner at Wynn Las Vegas. All this makes for a one-of-a-kind gourmet experience that could only take place in Las Vegas.

Bon Appetit Magazine is bringing its Culinary and Wine Focus to the glittering Las Vegas Strip for four days of extraordinary dining and exclusive, food and wine events. Join Bon Appetit Editor-in-Chief Barbara Fairchild and Executive Chef Cat Cora and a roster of Las Vegas' hottest celebrity chefs for a weekend of spectacular food, wine and world-class golf in the world's most exciting dining destination.

The events will take place at Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Lake Las Vegas and Wynn Las Vegas and will feature culinary greats such as Paul Bartolotta, Joseph Keller, Michael Mina, Julian Serrano, Alex Stratta, David Walzog, and pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury.

Highlights of the Culinary & Wine Focus 2007 include: Poolside tour-de- force Grand Tasting at Caesars Palace in which an A-list cast of celebrity chefs and local personalities serving as sous chefs will present the greatest flavors of Las Vegas; two first ever wine events at Wynn Las Vegas, the Vine & Dine Event with industry insiders in the world of wine and an exclusive auction hosted by Steve Wynn and Barbara Fairchild, and the High Stakes Wine Auction, the first wine auction ever held in Nevada; the Bellagio Masters Series, during which culinary experts from Bellagio such as Michael Mina and Julian Serrano break down the intricacies of gourmet cooking with the help of Bon Appetit editors; and an extraordinary evening at Lake Las Vegas Resort as the Stars on the Lake series kicks off its summer concert series with a special performance by John Legend and an alfresco dinner created by a celebrated chef.

Other events include a Master Series on Thursday at Caesars Palace, in which Fairchild, Cora and others will host intimate dinners at Restaurant Guy Savoy, Bradley Ogden and Rao's; and a fabulous brunch at Bellagio served on the wide marble terrace overlooking the hotel's world-famous fountains.

"Bon Appetit has long honored Las Vegas for its fantastic fare and hailed individual restaurants for their exquisite cuisine," said Paul Jowdy, Bon Appétit Vice President and Publisher. "The endless options for excellent food, wine, golf and entertainment made it a natural partner for a culinary event of this magnitude."

The city that continues to rank as one of the world's most exciting vacation destinations because of its sizzling entertainment and nightlife, designer shopping and luxurious spas also has become a premier dining destination as the world's great chefs continue to raise the bar on the dining experience. To accompany its growing list of celebrated chefs, Las Vegas has attracted more master sommeliers than any other U.S. city.

"Las Vegas continues to make its mark on the culinary stage as a favorite dining destination among epicureans," says Terry Jicinsky, senior vice president of marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). "The Bon Appetit events will allow culinary devotees to enjoy not only the fabulous cuisine Las Vegas has to offer but the entire Vegas experience."

Tickets for individual events range from $55-350, with Wine & Dine special packages priced at $1,200. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Bonappetitfocus.com.