Bubble-Licious |
Ace Of Spades Champagne |
Last
night, UNLVino kicked off four days of world-class beverage tastings with
Bubble-Licious at The Venetian. Legendary chef Thomas Keller of Bouchon was
honored with the Dom Pérignon Award of Excellence for establishing a collection
of restaurants that set a new paradigm within the hospitality industry as
guests sipped under the stars to raise scholarship funds for UNLV hospitality
students.
Accepting
his award, Chef Keller said, “I can’t tell you how incredibly honored I am to
be standing here tonight in front of all of you and the students of UNLV. The
reason I’m standing here is because of them. We raise millions of dollars for
the scholarship fund to help these students realize their dreams. I was able to
realize my dreams because I had people surrounding me and supporting me
throughout my life.” Offering his advice to the students, Keller hit on the
importance of patience and persistence. “Whatever you’re doing, be patient. Take
your time. Learn your skills. Learn your craft. And don’t let anyone ever tell
you that you can’t do something. And whatever happens, continue to stay true to
who you are, stay true to your goals, and believe me, you’ll be fine.”
The
festivities continue tonight with Sake Fever at The Mirage honoring Chef
Masaharu Morimoto (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.), Saturday’s Grand Tasting at Paris Las
Vegas honoring restaurateur Elizabeth Blau (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.), and Sunday’s
mixology-focused BAR-b-q at Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health
honoring MGM Grand president and COO Scott Sibella (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.). More
information on each event is available at UNLVino.com and tickets are available
at the door.
Bubble-Licious
Highlights:
·
The festivities commenced with Bubble-Licious’ signature “21 Cork
Salute,” where 21 sommeliers from UNLV and Southern Wine & Spirits of
Nevada (SWS of NV) simultaneously popped corks off 21 bottles of Dom Pérignon
champagne, signifying the start of UNLVino.
· Chef Keller, the evening’s honoree,
personally served Pate de Campagne with pickled garden vegetables from Bouchon
and provided cookies from Bouchon Bakery as a guest takeaway.
· Guests sampled more than 100 varieties
of international champagnes, sparkling wines, wines and other specialty
beverages, including Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label Brut, Moet + Chandon Imperial
Brut, Luc Belaire Sparkling Rare Rose, Cupcake Prosecco, and many more.
·
Guests enjoyed signature dishes from a collection of The Venetian’s
celebrated restaurants including B&B Ristorante, Bouchon, Delmonico,
Lagasse’s Stadium, Postrio Bar and Grill, Sushi Samba, Table 10 and Zine
Noodles Dim Sum. Guest favorites included Chef Keller’s pate, a carpaccio of
scallops created by the resort’s Executive Chef Olivier Dubreuil, and Postrio
Bar and Grill’s Bavarian Bratwurst.
· SWS of NV Marketing & Events
Director Michael Severino, SWS of NV Senior Managing Director Larry Ruvo,
Keller’s longtime friend Robin Leach, UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hotel
Administration Dean Don Snyder and 25 UNLV hospitality students honored Chef
Keller with the Dom Pérignon Award of Excellence.
o Larry Ruvo said, “Enormous celebrities and
bon vivants from around the world want to come and taste this culinary genius’
food. And fortunate for us, Thomas Keller understands his roots and is a huge
supporter of the Las Vegas community. Having Thomas Keller here is like
bringing the rat pack back. He is a person that the culinary world identifies
with an academy award, a celebrity. For us to have this culinary genius, this
god-given talent in our city is incredible.”
o Don
Snyder presented Chef Keller with a framed chef’s jacket signed by 25 UNLVino
student managers. He said, “On behalf of UNLV, I couldn’t be more excited about
Thomas Keller being recognized here tonight. This is a wonderful event, and for
now 39 years, the partnership we have with Larry Ruvo and Southern Wine &
Spirits of Nevada comes together in evenings like this. Thomas, we’re really
pleased to have you here tonight and for you to be our honoree.”
Photo
credit: © Tom Donoghue / Tom Donoghue Photography
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