Las Vegas Weekly

November 17, 2009 · 9:59 AM

Photo Gallery: Emeril raises $1.9 million, lauds Mario, launches cafe

By Robin Leach

Mario Batali and Emeril Lagasse at Emeril's annual Carnival du Vin at the Palazzo.

Photo: IS Photography/ImagesofVegas.com

Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse set himself a dream target to raise $1 million at his extraordinary fundraiser Carnival du Vin over the weekend at the Palazzo and The Venetian. Instead, he smashed through that figure and amazingly wound up just a few dollars short of a double!

Emeril’s fifth anniversary Emeril Lagasse Foundation event produced another stunner. He donated $50,000 from the proceeds, used for needy children’s causes in New Orleans and on the Gulf Coast still ravaged from Hurricane Katrina, to launch three Kids Cafes here in Las Vegas. The first will be set up at his pal Andre Agassi’s College Preparatory Academy.

It was an incredible night of culinary kings, fabulous food, wondrous wines and rich revelry, and Vegas DeLuxe was there for every part of the exciting events, from the red carpet to dining to the auctions and entertainment. More than 700 well-heeled people attended Carnival du Vin, many of them flying in from New Orleans.

In its first four years, Carnival Du Vin has raised $7.5 million for children’s charities and contributed more than $3.2 million to organizations in New Orleans and on the Gulf Coast. In 2005, preparations were underway in New Orleans for Carnival du Vin when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit.

The star chefs swung into action, and 20 top chefs and 20 top vintners relocated to The Venetian and raised $1.5 million.

“I never thought in this economy we would top that,” Emeril told me. “I hoped for $1 million. I prayed for $1 million. That was our goal, but people were so generous. They opened their hearts, and we almost doubled what we hoped. Amazing. Vegas went bam! They knew how to kick it up a notch.”

The owner of 12 restaurants in the U.S. (four are here) and the host of The Food Network and Planet Green TV series, Emeril also serves as the food correspondent on Good Morning America. A bestselling author of 14 cookbooks, his newest 20-40-60: Fresh Food Fast was released on Oct. 28.

His foundation’s mission is to support children’s culinary arts, nutrition and education programs in communities where he has restaurants. His $50,000 grant to our food bank Three Square will establish Kids Cafe -- a Feeding America program -- in three Las Vegas area pilot schools to provide nutritious after-school meals to more than 500 students who don’t get dinner at home. In addition to serving meals, Kids Cafe will teach students healthy eating skills and cooking so they can make smart choices about food.

The weekend began with a private cocktail party at Emeril’s new Lagasse Stadium in the Palazzo. The red carpet lineup for the Carnival Du Vin dinner included celebrity chefs and vintners, plus showbiz VIPs: Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali, Charlie Trotter, Daniel Boulud, Michael Mina, Bradley Ogden, Kerry Simon, Charlie Palmer, Joe Bastianich, Karina Smirnoff, Sammy Hagar, Aaron Neville and Venetian and Palazzo President Rob Goldstein and his wife Cheryl Goldstein.

Mario Batali, wearing his traditional orange Crocs and shorts, was given a special tribute by Emeril as the 2009 Carnivale du Vin Honoree, commemorating his longtime support of the foundation and five years’ participation in Carnival du Vin. An all-star lineup of Krewe du Vin chefs created the ultimate grand tasting -- 21 cooking stations in all serving haute New Orleans-inspired cuisine such as Mario’s Muffeletta, Daniel Boulud’s Boudin Noir, Michael Mina’s Ruby Red Shrimp Po’ Boy, Wolfgang Puck’s Shrimp Louie Salad and Kerry Simon’s Shrimp and Grits.

The appearance of Daniel Boulud following the announcement that he’s pulling up stakes at the Wynn and opening at The Venetian’s new Singapore resort further fueled rumors that he’ll join The Venetian’s culinary team next year! Daniel’s mum on the subject, but my sources tell me it’s almost a done deal.

Each chef was paired with a master vintner pouring exquisite wines. Other master chefs included Sam Choy from Hawaii, Wendy and Michael Jordan from Rosemary’s, Tom Moloney of Aquanox, Bradley Ogden from Caesars Palace, Charlie Palmer from The Four Seasons, Joachim Splichal from Patina, Luciano Pellegrini from Valentino and Nobu Matsuhisa’s partner Drew Neiporent from New York. The vintners included Au Bon Climat, Domaine Serene, Gemstone Vineyard, Kosta Browne Winery, Pride Mountain Vineyards, Schrader Cellars and Williams Selyem. To honor his pal Sammy Hagar, Emeril even concocted a cocktail of Diablo Tea made with Sammy’s Cabo Wabo Reposado Tequila infused with tea and prickly pear.

Throughout the night, the soulful spirit and funk sounds of The Big Easy played on in Las Vegas with entertainment by Trombone Shorty, Orleans Avenue and The Neville Brothers.

The live charity wine auction featured highly sought-after private dining experiences prepared by celebrity chefs, rare and deep wine collections and unique travel experiences. One of the top auction lots was a last-minute addition by Charlie Trotter, who took to the stage and offered a private dinner in his Chicago home for 10 guests, assisted by chefs Mario Batali, Gale Gand and Norman Van Aken, with priceless wines from his cellar.

When Emeril and Charlie managed to squeeze a private jet with 20 seats from a generous supporter, it brought in two bids of $180,000 apiece to close out the night with an un expected $360,000! Other hot items included a lunch with Martha Stewart and a birthday bash weekend shared by Emeril and Sammy at Sammy’s beachside home in Cabo San Lucas.

“I love Vegas,” Emeril declared. “Your generosity has made this year’s Carnival du Vin a tremendous success. I am thrilled we are now able to expand its work with children right here in Las Vegas.”

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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