FOOD & WINE ALL-STAR WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS
KICKS OFF WITH STAR-STUDDED “FIRST COURSE” EVENT
Food Festival Starts Strong with Sold-Out Event at ARIA Resort & Casino
Culinary superstars took over ARIA Resort & Casino last night for the 4th Annual FOOD & WINE All-Star Weekend’s sold out “First Course” kick-off event.
View Bar, the AAA Five Diamond resort’s main lobby bar, was swarmed with award-winning chefs, sommeliers and mixologists including ARIA’s Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Masa Takayama, Julian Serrano, Shawn McClain, Sirio Maccioni, Marco Maccioni, Anthony Amaroso, Craig Schoettler and Kim Wood; MGM Grand Chefs Joël Robuchon, Steve Benjamin, Claude Le-Tohic, Heather Zheng, Scott Irestone, Steve Barr, Vincenzo Scarmiglia, Heath Cicerelli, Ho Chee Boon and Anthony Schutz; and Bellagio’s
Akira Back, Jason Smith, Hiew Gun Khong, Ricardo Murcia and Patrick Lee.
The gastronomic icons took photos and mingled with the guests, while nibbling on delicious selections from ARIA’s extraordinary restaurants. Shawn McClain’s ASage served up Kushi Oyster with aged tequila Mignonette and tobacco pearls; Crispy Meyer Lemon Risotto with whipped triple crème; Braised Veal Cheeks with bone marrow flan and smoked polenta and Absinthe Macaroons for dessert.
Guests raved over the offerings from Julian Serrano’s eponymous ARIA restaurant, including Bomba, a spicy meatball made with Veal & Pork tenderloin; Rabo de Toro, created with Oxtail, Iberian pork and creamy mashed potatoes; and Coca Vegetarian, a Spanish Pizza with aioli, tomato, onion and pisto.
Masa Takayama wowed the crowd with his incredible Sushi Canape made with truffles, Tuna Toro Caviar and Oyster Shooters soaked in cucumber cilantro vinaigrette.
Champagne glasses were filled with 2004 Moet & Chamdon, 2004 Veuve Cliquot Rose and 2004 Dom Perignon. Guests could also try a selection of ARIA’s signature cocktails, including “A Vegas Sunset,” mixed with Grey Goose Cherry Noir, house made grenadine and orange, or a Martini created with Bombay Sapphire, Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth and house orange bitters.
FOOD & WINE All-Star Weekend festivities continue today with Burger Bash at MGM Grand’s Pool, Syrah that Will Change Your Life at Jasmine in Bellagio, Far Niente Dinner with Michael Mina at Bellagio’s Grand Patio and Six-Course Bliss with Joël Robuchon at his eponymous MGM Grand restaurant. The event concludes tomorrow with an incredible brunch at Jasmine, hosted by Bellagio’s vast array of Asian Chefs.
Photo Credit: Red Carpet Photos – Brenton Ho, MGM Resorts International
Event Photos – Al Powers, MGM Resorts International