The 13th annual Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit started with a splash on Thursday as some of the biggest names in the culinary world united at Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Joined by more than 30 iconic chefs including Masaharu Morimoto, Roy Choi, Frankie Pellegrino Jr., Michelle Tribble, Greg Sherry, Angelo Auriana, Timon Balloo, Mark LoRusso and Stephen Hopcraft, Chef Bruce Bromberg sabered a magnum of champagne to kick off the weekend of festivities at Caesars Entertainment, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, MGM Resorts International, The Venetian Resort and Wynn Las Vegas.
Hosts Adam Rapoport, Editor in Chief of Bon Appétit, Eric Gillin, Chief Business Officer of The Lifestyle Division at Condé Nast, Bree McKenney, Head of Marketing for The Lifestyle Division at Condé Nast, Simon Pettigrew, Senior Vice President of Resort Operations for The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, and Fletch Brunelle, Vice President of Marketing, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority raised a toast to thank the chefs, resort partners and brands for their continued support of the Las Vegas culinary scene.
Recognized as one of the country’s top food, wine and spirits festivals, the four-day event features some of the world’s greatest culinary talent including returning favorites Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Gordon Ramsay, Giada De Laurentiis, Guy Fieri, Lorena Garcia, Nobu Matsuhisa, Lisa Guy Savoy, Bryan and Michael Voltaggio, Julian Serrano, Michael Mina and Susan Feniger to name a few. New this year, guests will indulge in Roses and Rosé with Lisa Vanderpump, take part in an interactive cake truffle-making class alongside Christina Tosi, and go behind the scenes with the Master Chefs of France. To sample a bit of everything, guests can still purchase tickets to perennial favorite The Grand Tasting at Caesars Palace and enjoy a Picnic at The Park at MGM Resorts’ outdoor dining and entertainment district near T-Mobile Arena.
Events with limited tickets remaining include:
Caesars Palace
The Grand Tasting (Caesars Palace), May 10: The Grand Tasting is the signature event of Vegas Uncork'd, where over 2,500 food enthusiasts enjoy a staggering variety of signature dishes prepared by some of the world's most celebrated chefs. The dramatic five-acre Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis at Caesars Palace will feature more than 50 award-winning chefs and more than 100 of the best wines and spirits from around the world. EARLY ACCESS: A limited number of tickets are available to deliver the undivided attention of culinary experts on site.
Master Series: The World's Best, An Epicurean Affair with Guy Savoy (Caesars Palace), May 11: Renowned chef Guy Savoy will present a multi-course epicurean affair with premier pairings, serving signature dishes alongside some of the world's great wines and champagnes at his Forbes Five-Star/AAA Five-Diamond Las Vegas restaurant. With his Paris restaurant recently receiving the “Best Restaurant in the World” award from La Liste for the third year in a row, this meal will take diners on a truly special adventure across Chef Guy Savoy's empire of tastes and influences, celebrating his achievements through his signature creations paired with wine from the restaurant’s Wine Spectator Grand Award winning list. A roaming violinist will complete the five-star sensory experience. Don't miss this rare opportunity for an intimate dinner with a world-renowned legend.
Master Series: Rao's Italian Brunch with The Rao's Family (Caesars Palace), May 12: Celebrate Mother’s Day the Italian way – with Rao's Restaurant owners Frank Pellegrino Jr. and Ron Straci at a true Rao’s family-style event. At this intimate afternoon affair, you'll enjoy a seasonally inspired multi-course brunch featuring authentic family recipes and perfectly paired libations in honor of the occasion.
MGM Resorts International
Picnic at The Park (The Park, located between Park MGM and New York-New York),May 11: Soak up the sunshine and celebrity at the third annual Picnic at The Park, Vegas-style, featuring live music and an all-star roster of MGM Resorts’ most notable chefs, including Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Michael Mina, Masaharu Morimoto, Roy Choi, Bryan and Michael Voltaggio, Susan Feniger, Julian Serrano, Shawn McClain, and MGM Grand executive pastry chefs Florent Cheveau and Philippe Angibeau. Picnic at The Park will offer creative twists on classic, al fresco dining perfectly paired with wine curated by Master Sommelier Jason Smith, cocktails by Mixologist Craig Schoettler, and a variety of beer. Located on the Las Vegas Strip, this marvelous outdoor experience lets you enjoy a fun, interactive afternoon of picnicking with celebrated chefs.
A Smokin’ Good Time with Susan Feniger (Mandalay Bay), May 11: Chef Susan Feniger and Executive Chef Mike Minor are bringing the heat at an epic BBQ party with a Mexican twist. Join the Border Grill chefs, Andy Baraghani of Bon Appétit, and host Whembley Sewell, Executive Editor of them, for a smokin’ good time on the outdoor patio at Border Grill at Mandalay Bay as a variety of meats, plant-based proteins, and veggies get smoked, grilled, and slow cooked to perfection at interactive stations. Guests will experience a mouthwatering feast of mesquite pulled pork tortas, fried chicken tacos, slow-smoked Texas-style brisket, spare ribs, house-smoked tofu with habanero BBQ sauce, impossible sliders, all the fixins’ and much more. Not to be missed, the famous burnt ends burrito, named “best burrito you will ever try” by USA TODAY, from BBQ Mexicana, a new quick service eatery from Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Top it all off with the local craft beer pairings, signature cocktails, fire pits, and live music.
Dinner Under the Stars with Vanity Fair, Will Guidara and Leo Robitschek at The NoMad Pool (NoMad Las Vegas), May 11: Enjoy an evening with Vanity Fair and restaurateur Will Guidara on the NoMad rooftop deck for a pool-side dinner under the stars at The NoMad Las Vegas. Sip on expertly crafted cocktails created by award-winning Bar Director Leo Robitschek, while listening to the beats of DJ Skribble, courtesy of On The Record, the new speakeasy and club at Park MGM. Dine in unexpected fashion as the night transitions from one culinary experience to the next. Discover NoMad Las Vegas, an intimate resort experience and The Strip’s newest destination.
The Mob Museum
Raise a Glass to the Past: A Speakeasy Tasting and Distillery Tour at The Mob Museum (The Underground Speakeasy and Distillery The Mob Museum), May 11: Go back in time to the Prohibition era for a tasting and tour at The Underground, The Mob Museum's speakeasy and distillery. Guests will be transported by the taste of spirits smuggled by mobsters decades ago as they sample a variety of classic cocktails, new moonshine flavors from the Museum’s own on-site distillery, and delicious passed appetizers while listening to live jazz, exploring eye-opening exhibits, and learning inside stories from expert educators.
The Venetian Resort
Think Italian: The Art of Italian Eating and Drinking (The Venetian Resort), May 10: Celebrate the art of making traditional Italian cuisine at its finest from Chef Angelo Auriana and Restaurateur Matteo Ferdinandi, partners and owners of The Factory Kitchen. Guests will learn how to make cocktails, cannoli’s and pasta while tasting every bite and more of the family recipes from Italy. It’s Italian cuisine at its finest run by Italians.
Behind the Bar: Learn the Complexities of Cocktails with the Masters of The Venetian Cocktail Collective (The Venetian Resort), May 11: Cocktail enthusiasts will have the chance to test their talents behind the bar with the master bar women and men of The Dorsey cocktail bar, Rosina Cocktail Lounge & Electra Cocktail Club. The Venetian Cocktail Collective lead bartenders, Juyoung Kang, Evan Hosaka and Daniel Yang, will educate and guide guests through the history and relevance of specific bitters and house made syrups, as well as signature cocktails made at all three bars. Guests will also get an in-depth, step-by-step demonstration of the signature drinks before they step behind the bar to show off their own skills. Guests will also be treated to a reception in their honor with lite bites to enjoy alongside their libation creations.
Tour the Night Market at SUGARCANE with Chef Timon Balloo (The Venetian Resort), May 11: Inspired by the famed night markets of Southeast Asia, SUGARCANE raw bar grill’s lounge transforms into an exhilarating and immersive pop-up featuring hawker-style “stalls.” Each will serve Chef Timon’s take on authentic Southeast Asian and global cuisine and will offer unique and festive specialty cocktails for whisking the night away.
CHICA “Mom-Mosa” Brunch with Chef Lorena Garcia (The Venetian Resort), May 12: Join Chef Lorena Garcia to celebrate the second anniversary of CHICA at The Venetian in a stunning celebration of Latin American cooking and hospitality showcasing flavors, influences and techniques all reimagined in her distinct global style. This lively brunch event is the perfect way to celebrate Mom or the favorite women in your life, with a variety of Chef Lorena's favorite dishes served alongside festive brunch cocktails.
