June 14, 2009
Special feature by Linda Lane, Jetsetters Magazine Entertainment Editor.
In a letter from Bon Appetit editor-in-chief Barbara Fairchild she welcomes everyone to Vegas Uncork’d by saying: “This weekend’s events brings the magazine to life and showcases Las Vegas as one of the world’s top culinary destinations. To informative workshops to exclusive gala dinners, Bon Appetit editors have come together with some of the world’s most talented chefs to bring you center stage and indulge in the best the city has to offer.”
Beginning Thursday May 7th with a series of receptions and dinners at Payard Patisserie & Bistro, Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill, Rao, Bradley Ogden, and Guy Savoy – all located at Caesars Palace – food and wine enthusiasts had a chance to meet their culinary heroes.
And, after a long evening of delicious food and wine pairings guests were hosted by Chefs for Three Square at Pure Night Club.
If dancing wasn’t your thing, you could venture across the street to L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon at the MGM Grand from 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. for Theater in the Kitchen.
Friday featured workshops and culinary conversations, but the hottest ticket in town was the Vegas Uncork’d Grand Tasting from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. around Caesar’s colossal neo-Roman pools.
What seemed like thousands of locals and visitors spent $150 each to sample offerings from some of the world’s most iconic chefs. When I arrived at 7 pm the line to get in snaked all the way through the casino and past the Appian Way shops.
Considering the number of “sale” signs on the upscale shop windows, the crowd foretold signs of a financial up-swing. Proving that people will spend money to satisfy their taste buds and their culinary appreciation, nearly 100 booths had been set up around the Herculean perimeter. Among the treats were L’Atelier de Joel Robochon, Bobby Fley giving a cooking demonstration for Mesa Grill, Chateau Montelena Winery, Crafsteak, Shibuya, Rao’s, Payard Patisserie & Bistro, Emeril Lagasse’s Table 10, and so many more. Even though the tastes were two to three bites, one had to be selective. The BLT Burgers were mini-burgers, and by the time I got to them I could only listen to other people’s critiques.
The book signing table featured celebrity chefs: Hubert Keller from Fleur de Lys, Rick Moonen from RM Seafood, and Mary Sue Milliken from the Border Grill; Richard Sandoval from Isla at Treasure Island, Tom Colicchio from Craftsteak, Daniel Boulud of Daniel Boulud Brasserie, Jean Joho from the Eiffel Tower, Cat Cora, Executive Chef at Bon Appetit, and composer/musician/wine maker David Foster. Other celebrities shared their own brand of delicious. Danny DeVito’s Limoncello captured the essence of the Italian liqueur, while Kyle Maclachlan, the Desperate Housewives star could be seen chatting and sipping a glass of his Pursued By Bear wine.
Fortunately, I spotted an empty chair – there were only a few tables scattered around the pools – and I joined Desiree and Jeff Engler and Vicki Waked. Vicki’s talented husband, Daniel Waked, head chef at Nero’s Steak and Seafood at Caesar’s was busy at his booth. I made a point of tasting his melt-in-your-mouth short ribs.
You could say I ate my own notes because, when I arrived at my desk I had a press kit, but no notes. Going from memory is not easy when you’ve sampled dozens of unusual, beautifully presented taste treats. Bon Appetit named Las Vegas one of the top five restaurant cities in the U.S., and Travelocity ranked the city second among the world’s top gourmet destinations.
Vegas Uncork’d is a spectacular event. If you love food – you don’t even have to be a foodie – and you count award-winning chefs among those people you would like to meet, emulate or just sample their creations, this is an event worth attending yearly.

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