Las Vegas’ Acclaimed Food Critics Took the Heat during “Roasting Las Vegas” Special Affair at Three Square Food Bank , September 3
Renowned local chefs as well as food and beverage directors “roasted” local food critics and authors of “Eating Las Vegas” Al Mancini, John Curtas and Max Jacobson in front of a packed crowd during a special affair at Three Square Food Bank on Thursday, Sept. 3. Ticket sales benefited Three Square Food Bank, Southern Nevada’s only food bank, and more than $3,100 was raised, translating to more than 9,300 meals for the food-insecure individuals in our local community.
The Roastmasters Dave Farra and Jason Mahoney of the Dave, Mahoney & DK Morning Show on X 107.5 FM played host for the evening, taking their own friendly jabs at the critics in between the featured food and beverage executives. Las Vegas chefs who have been critiqued over the years and dished it back to them included: Todd Harrington – Executive Chef of Central by Michael Richard; Stephen Hopcraft – Executive Chef at STK Las Vegas inside The Cosmopolitan and former contestant on Bravo TV’s Top Chef; Gary LaMorte – Corporate Chef with The Michael Mina Group; Carla Pellegrino – Founder and Executive Chef of Bratalian Neapolitan Cantina and former contestant on Bravo TV’s Top Chef; Beni Valasquez – Executive Chef at Bar + Bistro; Vic Vegas – Founder and Executive Chef of Vic’s restaurant and finalist on Food Network’s series, Food Network Star; and Theresa Woo – Executive Food & Beverage Director for Fu restaurant at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
“Roasting Las Vegas” is in conjunction with Hunger Action Month (September), a national initiative of Feeding America to raise awareness about hunger in local communities. Locally more than 340,000 people struggle with having consistent access to food and nearly 57 percent of Clark County School District students receive free or reduced priced lunch. Through its various programs, Three Square is working to build a hunger free community ensuring families, children and seniors have access to nutritional meals.
For additional information on Three Square, its programs and agency partner locations, visit www.threesquare.org.
About Three Square Food Bank
Established in 2007 to provide hunger relief, Three Square Food Bank offers wholesome, nutritious food to non-profit and faith-based organizations, schools and feeding sites that serve a wide range of Southern Nevadans. A national model project inspired by Eric Hilton with a grant provided by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Three Square is a community collaborative partnership with businesses, non-profit agencies, food distributors, higher education institutions, the Clark County School District, governmental entities, the media and thousands of volunteers to efficiently and effectively serve hope to those in our community struggling with hunger. Three Square currently provides more than 24.5 million pounds of food and grocery product – the equivalent of more than 18.8 million meals – per year to nearly 600 Program Partners. Three Square is a member of the Feeding America network of food banks. For additional information visit www.threesquare.org. For the latest news and events on Three Square, visit www.facebook.com/ThreeSquareFoodBank and follow them on Twitter @threesquarelv.