Las Vegas Weekly

October 1, 2008 · 10:23 AM

Vegas kitchen kings throw three-day culinary festival to show off our dining destination

By Robin Leach

An incredible weekend-long fine food festival is all set. More than 10 superstar Vegas chefs are hosting more than 12 of America’s top kitchen kings for the James Beard Foundation’s gastronomic all-stars Taste America series. Restaurateurs, cookbook authors, other celebrated chefs, and food and wine journalists will descend on Vegas on Oct. 24 for the event -- and tickets are now on sale. It’s the ultimate showcase for Vegas, which I have long described as America’s top dining destination.

Our local top toques include, Paul Bartolotta and Alex Stratta from the Wynn Las Vegas; Charlie Trotter from Restaurant Charlie at the Palazzo; Martin Heirling from Sensi, Julian Serrano from Picasso, Jean Philippe Maury all from the Bellagio; Luciano Pellegrini from Valentinos at the Venetian; Carla Pellegrino from Rao’s and Bradley Ogden, both from Caesars Palace; Carlos Buscaglia and Fabio Trabocchi from Fiama at MGM Grand and "Iron Chef" winner Kerry Simon from Palms Place. Their dine-around will take place in their own restaurants -- satellite style.

The next night, Saturday, Oct. 25, all the chefs will come together for the gala dinner at the Palazzo resort with James Beard Foundation winners from across America turning the tables. They include Patrick Connolly of Bobo, NYC; R.J. Cooper III of Vidalia, Washington, D.C.; Traci Des Jardins from Jardiniere, San Francisco; Jean-Louis Guertin from Greenwich, Conn.; Donald Link of Herbsaint, New Orleans; Shawn McClain of Spring in Chicago; Adam Siegel from Bartolotta’s in Milwaukee; Holly Smith of Cafe Juanita in Kirkland, Wash.; Robert Stehling of Hominy Grill, Charleston S.C.; John Sundstrom of LARK in Seattle; Celia Tio of Julia, in Charlotte N.C. The Palazzo’s extraordinary executive pastry chef Long Nguyen en masse will prepare dessert specialties.

James Beard is revered and acknowledged by the chefs as “the father of American gastronomy” from back in the 40s when he decreed the concept of eating well to middle America. His foundation, based in New York City, continues his tradition and legacy. Further details and ticket information can be found at jbftasteamerica.com. Funds raised benefit both the foundation and our William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at UNLV here in Vegas.

Photo: Heat Communications

Jean Philippe Maury

Photo: courtesy photo

Martin Heirling

Photo: Heat Communications

Carla Pellegrino

Photo: Heat Communications

Kerry Simon

Photo: Courtesy

Valentino chef Luciano Pellegrini.

Photo: Heat Communications

Carlos Buscaglia.

Photo: Heat Communications

Paul Bartolotta

Photo: Wynn Las Vegas

Alex Stratta of Alex at Wynn Las Vegas.

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