WOW Recap From Vegas Uncork’d! Celeb Chefs Galore!

Chef Michael Mina

Foodies rejoiced inside Yardbird at The Venetian during a potbelly brunch fit for a carnivorous king with Chef John Kunkel. Featuring a spread of inventive Southern comfort dishes such as a fried green tomato BLT, Yardbird Benedict and Lewellyn’s fine fried chicken ‘27-hour recipe,’ the brunch concluded with candied bacon beignets and raspberry coulis. Throughout brunch, guests experienced feasted on all things bacon and pork belly and sipped on Yardbird’s classic Bloody Mary made with bacon-infused vodka, pork belly, pickled okra and pickled green bean topped with lime and bleu cheese olives.

·         Over at Caesars Palace, foodies were taken on a culinary journey around the world with “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” host Robin Leach and Caesars Palace President Gary Selesner at Bacchanal Buffet – named the No. 1 buffet in Las Vegas. During the social soiree, attendees were treated to cuisine from different countries alongside premier global wines and an array of sweets provided by Bacchanal Buffet.

·         Internationally acclaimed culinary pioneer and innovator, Chef José Andrés allowed guests to lunch like a Spaniard during an unforgettable “dish-and-tell” session inside Jaleo at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The interactive presentation gave foodies an inside look into the chef’s favorite stories about how his famed menu items came to fruition while he prepared widely recognized menu items over the restaurant’s renowned live fire pit.

·         Acknowledged as the spark that ignited the city’s culinary phenomenon, Spago by Wolfgang Puck opened its doors to Vegas Uncork’d goers to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the iconic eatery. Guests enjoyed an interactive lunch that featured the restaurant’s globally acclaimed cuisine including tuna with sea beans and succulents, carrot with miso and fermented garlic, Sonoma duck breast with ancient grains, brown butter, blueberry and burnt citrus, as well as white chocolate, rhubarb, citrus cake and fennel for dessert. Additionally, guests enjoyed Spago’s classic artisanal bread collection paired with exquisite wines selected just for the occasion.

·         Located inside the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, Border Grill was home to the afternoon’s most Instagram-worthy event as celebrity chef duo Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger got up close and personal with guests during a live cooking demonstration inspired by #FoodPorn. With cameras in hand, guests laughed and sipped as the "Too Hot Tamales" prepared a feast for the eyes including crab passion fruit aguachile, three potato causa, sabana salad, guacamole with seeded chips and coconut flan. The signature bites were accompanies by specialty cocktails including the Border Sparkler made with Mezcal, St. Germain, aperol and passion fruit and a Mango Cilantro Margarita made with Tequila Blanco, mango, cilantro and a tajin rim.

Chef Gordon Ramsay

Grand Tasting 

·         The luxurious Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis at Caesars Palace hosted the ultimate culinary event, The Grand Tasting. Food enthusiasts gathered for an epicurean experience of a lifetime with a staggering variety of signature dishes, as well as free-flowing wines and spirits while mingling with more than 50 award-winning chefs including Bobby Flay, Buddy “Cake Boss” Valastro, Charlie Palmer, Chris Santos, Giada De Laurentiis, Gordon Ramsay, Guy Savoy, Lorena Garcia, Michael Mina, Nobu Matsuhisa, Rick Moonen and more.