|
Add caption |
|
Larry Ruvo, Mayor Carolyn Goodman, Dr. Jerry Vallen |
UNLVino’s
40th anniversary celebrations were in full force yesterday, Thursday, April 11.
The second day of festivities began with a special presentation at Las Vegas
City Hall, where Mayor Carolyn Goodman proclaimed April 9 – 12, 2014, “UNLVino
Celebration Week” honoring the event’s founders, Southern Wine & Spirits of
Nevada’s Senior Managing Director, Larry Ruvo, and Dean Emeritus of UNLV’s
William F. Harrah Hotel College of Hotel Administration, Dr. Jerry Vallen.
Later
in the evening, UNLVino hosted its second annual BAR-b-q, a mixology-inspired
poolside soiree featuring gourmet twists on barbeque favorites. Taking place
amongst the gorgeous scenery of Caesars Palace Garden of the Gods Pool, guests
imbibed on 16 signature cocktails from the city’s most talented bartenders and
mixologists while raising scholarship dollars for UNLV’s Hotel College.
“It’s
amazing that the event has been around for 40 years,” said UNLV Hotel College
Dean Dr. Stowe Shoemaker. “We wouldn’t be here today it weren’t for the support
of the Las Vegas community.”
Nectaly
Mendoza, Owner of Herbs & Rye, was honored by Southern Wine & Spirits
of Nevada’s Executive Director of Mixology & Spirits Education Francesco
Lafranconi with UNLVino’s first-ever Chartreuse Award of Excellence. The
local-favorite restaurant and bar’s General Manager Alenrry Iniguez also was
present to accept the award.
Lafranconi
said, “Nectaly Mendoza is a man of a true work ethic and integrity. But he of
course couldn’t do it without his wonderful team, and we are honoring them for
achieving their common goal of excellence in guest services and innovation. The
Herbs & Rye team demonstrates the best customer service in Las Vegas and
sets an example for all of us.”
Lafranconi
also took a moment to recognize the owners of Downtown Las Vegas speakeasy The
Laundry Room at Commonwealth for awards they recently acquired at the 2014
Nightclub & Bar Show, a convention which brought tens of thousands of
hospitality professionals to the city.
The
drinks flowed all night as guests sampled a bevy of cocktails from bars and
restaurants all across the Las Vegas Valley, including:
· Mendoza’s Herbs & Rye took a
unique twist on the Bloody Mary, mixing Don Julia Blanco Tequila, blood orange
puree, SBS Bloody Mary Mix and Victoria Beer.
· Guests sipped on the “Not My Job” from
Britney Kinsland and Karolina Bogdanska of Blind Pig, a cocktail featuring
Double Cross Vodka; Pierre Ferrand Dry Orange Curaçao; as well as fig, orange
marmalade and aromatic bitters.
· Patrons enjoyed the wonderful “Mango
Daiquiri” containing Pyrat XO Rum, fresh lime juice, passion fruit and mango
created by District One’s Master Mixologist, Alaina Swirkowski.
· Rose Signor from Atomic Liquors
produced “The Cointreaudiction,” made with Cointreau, fresh orange and lemon
juices and mixed with Green Herbal Liqueur.
· The Downtown Cocktail Room team
prepared a “Peruvian Picnic,” combining Pisco Porton, Italian Apertif, citrus
juice and Sauvignon Blanc.
· Guests at the Wayfarer Bar booth tried
Mixologist Trey Picou’s “English Bazy,” made with Bulldog Gin, Campari Italian
Apertif, plum bitters and fresh cucumber.
· The cocktail masterminds at The
Boozery used Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer, Absolut Herbaceous Lemon, fresh
lemon juice and Runny Honey to construct the “Crab Hatter” cocktail.
· Vanguard Lounge’s Landon Besherse had
guests guzzling the “Jim Jones ‘BALLIN!’” cocktail, created from Grey Goose Le
Melon Vodka, blood orange liqueur and fresh cucumber sour, topped with blood
orange soda.
· A tribute to Las Vegas’ former mayor,
Keith Baker of Oscar’s Steakhouse poured “Oscar Goodman’s Cure-All Punch and
Vigor Restorative Tonic,” made with Avion Silver Tequila, fresh lime and
grapefruit bitters, topped with cranberry and pineapple juices.
· Triple George stuck to the classics
with a Blackberry Martini, shaking Rockefeller Vodka with fresh blackberries,
pineapple and cranberry juices.
· Poolside sippers enjoyed the “Dulce y
Especiado” from Imperial Tacos’ Alex Penalosa, fusing Agavie Silver Tequila,
Italian Amaro, bitter aperitif, lemon juice and Serrano-infused honey.
· Rave reviews were given to Robert Wank
of Echo & Rig’s “Chopin Tell,” made with Chopin Wheat Vodka, hibiscus syrup
and fresh cucumber with an edible flower from Wild Hibiscus.
· Jessica Fesler from Double Helix
offered attendees a taste of summer with her artistic “Summertime Sour” drink
made from DISARONNO Amaretto, American Bourbon and freshly made lemon sour mix.
· Vintner Grill’s Ryan Wynnett provided
thirsty guests with his “Casa de Rhubarb” cocktail made from Casamigos Blanco
Tequila, ginger syrup, fresh strawberries and rhubarb.
· DW Bistro’s Tyler Burt and Anthony
Ortiz whipped up the “Jamaican Ginger Razz,” concocted from Stolichnaya
Razberri, Jamaican ginger syrup, fresh lime juice and ginger beer.
· Midtown Bar and Pizza Kitchen
presented the “Midnight in Midtown,” featuring Hornitos Black Barrel Tequila
and raspberry puree with pineapple and cranberry.
Guests
also indulged in culinary selections from some of the city’s top restaurants,
including Lobster Bisque from The Palm Las Vegas; Mozzarella Caprese Skewers
served by Trevi; Spring Lamb Chops with tamarind glaze cooked up by Samba
Brazilian Steakhouse; Chicken Searpariello Wings at Carmine’s NYC’s booth; and
several buffet stations from the Caesars Palace culinary team featuring
Lollipop Chicken Wings, Barbeque Sliders and Crudités.
DJ
Tony Sinatra kept the party going all night with his musical stylings, while
the crowd also was delighted with performances by UNLV’s Latin Jazz Ensemble.
The university’s beloved mascot Hey Reb was on hand with members of the UNLV
Scarlet Line Dance Team to get attendees pumped up, while event emcee Chet
Buchanan encouraged guests to participate in UNLVino’s silent auction, where
all proceeds will go back to the scholarship fund.
UNLVino
kicked off on Wednesday with Sip & Savor at Spago, and the fun continues
tonight, Friday, April 11 at the champagne-filled Bubble-Licious at The
Venetian Las Vegas’ Doge’s Palace Plaza at 7 p.m. Tomorrow, Saturday, April 12
at 7 p.m., the Founders’ Grand Tasting will wrap up the 40th annual festival at
the Keep Memory Alive Events Center at Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for
Brain Health.
About
UNLVino
UNLVino
was cofounded in 1974 by the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration
and Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, the two organizations which continue
to sponsor it today. Over the past 40 years, UNLVino has raised several million
dollars for scholarships and other academic development needs of UNLV students.
UNLVino is differentiated through unparalleled, hands-on student experiences at
all levels of event planning, execution and promotion, as well as the impactful
funds raised each year – all testaments to the celebratory weekend’s broader
purpose – scholarship. For more
information, visit UNLVino.com.