Vegas Uncork'd: The World's Best Chefs at the Ultimate Food and Wine Event
By: Sheri Wetherell
Published: April 28, 2015

What happens in Vegas shouldn’t always stay in Vegas. A weekend of celebrity chefs, amazing dinners, wine tastings and more is definitely something to shout about. This past weekend, food lovers from around the world flocked to the desert for the 9th annual Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit, one of the country’s largest and grandest food events - which also benefits Keep Memory Alive, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals with neurocognitive disorders. This ultimate food and wine experience featuring world-renowned chefs from ARIA, Bellagio, Caesars Palace and MGM Grand kicked off at LAGO, Chef Julian Serrano’s newest Italian small-plates restaurant overlooking the beautiful Fountains of Bellagio.
This star-studded reception featured special guests such as Adam Rapport (Editor in Chief of Bon Appétit), Pamela Drucker Mann (Publisher & Chief Revenue Officer of Bon Appétit), as well as chefs Michael Mina (Bardot Brasserie, Michael Mina), Julian Serrano (Julian Serrano, LAGO), Guy Savoy (Restaurant Guy Savoy), Brian Malarkey (Searsucker), Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger (Border Grill), Steve Martorano (Martorano's), François Payard (Payard Patisserie & Bistro), Frankie Pellegrino (Rao's), Emeril Lagasse (Emeril's New Orleans Fish House, Delmonico Steakhouse, Table 10, Lagasse's Stadium), and Hell's Kitchen winners Scott Commings and Christina Wilson. Necks were whipping and cameras were flashing as favorite chefs were spotted.
 
	The reception officially kicked off the weekend with a traditional sabrage by Chef Serrano, an impressive technique where he sabered off the top of a magnum of Mionetto prosecco (see video below).
	Attendees of Vegas Uncork’d experienced bucket list-worthy events like Master Series dinners with celeb chefs such as Emeril Lagasse, beef and bourbon dinners, wine and chocolate pairings with Master Chocolatier François Payard, cooking demos and cocktail classes, a pop-up restaurant from BRAVO, The Grand Tasting Event at the Garden of the Gods at Caesars Palace, and so much more.

Video courtesy of Christopher Rauschnot @24kMedia  
Editorial disclosure: Foodista's travel and expenses were generously provided by Bon Appétit and Kirvin Doak Communications. No other compensation was received.