Food & Wine All-Star Week-End Vegas Foodie Social Media Contest

Epicurean dreams can come true with FOOD & WINE All-Star Weekend’s first-ever #VegasFoodie social media contest. World-renowned chefs Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Michael Mina and Julian Serrano will determine the winner of an unforgettable getaway to the fourth annual Las Vegas culinary festival hosted by Bellagio, ARIA Resort & Casino and MGM Grand Oct. 4 – 6.

Contestants must demonstrate their culinary passion by submitting testimonials as to why they are the ultimate foodie via their favorite social media platform with the official sweepstakes hashtag #VegasFoodie. Entries are welcomed beginning Monday, Aug. 26, 2013 and the contest will run through Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013. The winner will be notified Friday, Sept. 20, 2013 by MGM Resorts International.

Submissions can range from a six-second cooking demonstration on Vine; an incredible food collage on Instagram; a unique Twitter campaign rallying recommendations from followers; or even a work of culinary art posted to Facebook. Entries will be reviewed by the esteemed panel of award-winning chefs, who will select the most creative and innovative testimonial.

The winner will receive a two-night stay Oct. 4 – 6 at the iconic Bellagio or MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He or she will then get to experience true gastronomical excellence with a pair of tickets to three of FOOD & WINE All-Star Weekend’s premier events, including:

ARIA: First Course Kick-Off

Guests are invited to sample delectable appetizers from ARIA restaurants barMASA, Julian Serrano and Sage at the weekend’s official kick-off party at ARIA's View Bar. Throughout the celebration, guests may sip on champagne courtesy of Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot, among other refreshing cocktails, and mingle with the FOOD & WINE All-Star Weekend participating chefs Masa Takayama, Julian Serrano and Shawn McClain.

Bellagio: Harvest Dinner with Michael Mina

Celebrity Chef Michael Mina will prepare a specialized menu using seasonal ingredients and unique flavor profiles along with an exemplary wine pairing to complement each course, all set among  the splendor of Bellagio’s Grand Patio. Overlooking the resort’s luxurious pool, this memorable event will be a highlight of the weekend.

MGM Grand: Burger Bash

Guests will need a big appetite at FOOD & WINE All-Star Weekend’s newest event, Burger Bash. Hosted poolside at MGM Grand, 10 of the resort’s restaurants will serve delicious burgers and unique sides as upbeat tunes play throughout the evening. Attendees are encouraged to try a burger from all participating chefs to see which suits their palate. Celebrity judges, including Chef Joël Robuchon and Chef Michael Mina, will determine the ultimate Burger Bash winner.

This extraordinary prize package also includes the incredible opportunity to hang out with chef superstars such as Vongerichten, Mina, Serrano, as well as Chef of the Century, Joël Robuchon, and taste some of their signature cuisine with an exclusive meet-and-greet session, worthy only of a true #VegasFoodie.

All contest participants are encouraged to utilize any social media platform as long as the official hashtag #VegasFoodie is included in the post. Contestants must be 21 and older to enter.

FOOD & WINE ALL-STAR WEEKEND

The fourth annual FOOD & WINE All-Star Weekend, hosted by Bellagio, ARIA and MGM Grand, returns to Las Vegas October 4-6 with more culinary superstars and world-class events than ever before. Renowned sommeliers and mixologists, along with celebrity chefs such as Joël Robuchon, Michael Mina and Shawn McClain, will engage guests in weekend of culinary excitement. The action-packed weekend includes an educational wine class on Syrah with a Master Sommelier, a cooking demo on how to make sushi ten ways, a once-in-a-lifetime dinner with a Michelin-starred chef, a poolside Burger Bash and more. Tickets start at $75 and can be purchased online at www.mgmresorts.com/foodandwine/. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend all events.