RENOWNED CHEFS TO HONOR ANDRÉ ROCHAT
FOR HIS 35TH ANNIVERSARY IN LAS VEGAS ON SUNDAY, MARCH 29
Chefs from Rochat’s Illustrious Career to Create One-Night Only Menu with Proceeds to Benefit the James Beard Foundation
Legendary Las Vegas chef André Rochat will be honored by his past and present peers and protégés on Sunday, March 29 at Andre’s Restaurant & Lounge at Monte Carlo Resort & Casino. Rochat, who is celebrating 35 years in Las Vegas in 2015, will host the evening as a team of chefs create a one-night only menu that will feature exquisite culinary creations. The dishes, selected to acknowledge and honor Chef André, will showcase the talents of each chef. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Ticket proceeds from the event will benefit the James Beard Foundation (JBF), the world’s foremost culinary nonprofit organization.
Tickets are priced at $225 per person for JBF members; $275 per person for non-members (inclusive of tax and gratuity). Seating will be limited to 120 guests. For reservations or more information, visit Andre’s online, [email protected] or call the restaurant directly at (702) 798-7151.
In 1980, French-born Rochat changed the face of Las Vegas’ dining industry, introducing the city to its first freestanding fine dining experience. Decades before the Fremont Street Experience and Zappos arrived, Downtown Las Vegas belonged to Rochat. That was then he purchased a 1930s-era house downtown and transformed it into his eponymous restaurant. Andre’s in Downtown Las Vegas featured dining rooms named after French cities, along with copper pots used as light fixtures and wine labels framed as art creating the ambience of a French country inn. As the only freestanding gourmet option at the time, Andre’s quickly became a hit with locals looking for a place to celebrate a special night out and visitors willing to travel a few miles via taxicab to the must-see restaurant. The restaurant made such an impact, the city of Las Vegas honored Rochat for his contribution to the community by renaming the street, formerly known as Lewis Place, to Chef André Rochat Place. In 1997, Rochat opened a second location on The Strip, Andre’s Restaurant & Lounge at Monte Carlo. By 2001, he opened Alizé at the Top of Palms Casino Resort. In 2008 and 2009, both Alizé and Andre’s were recognized by the Michelin Guide with the one-star rating.
From Master Sommelier Steven Geddes to Greg Engelhardt to Eric Patterson, they all credit Rochat with serving as a mentor over the last 35 years. Even within his own kitchen, those positioned to take Rochat’s culinary fare into the next 35 years can each pinpoint the techniques he has personally taught them.
“Where else can you find a chef of André’s caliber taking the time and effort to make sure his legacy continues? Today, there are so many establishments that focus on the newest and the best. But with André, trends are fine but what matters most is skill and tradition – and that is the core of what he has instilled in all of us,” says Mark Purdy, executive chef, Alizé.
Chefs scheduled to create dishes and be in attendance for the evening include:
- Host Chef, Chris Bulen: Current Chef de Cuisine at Andre’s Restaurant & Lounge.
- Chef Greg Engelhardt: Former Chef de Cuisine at Andre’s in Downtown, current owner of Off-the-Grid Caribbean Catering in St. Thomas.
- Chef Gary LaMorte: Former Chef de Cuisine at Andre’s Restaurant & Lounge, current corporate executive chef for the Michael Mina Group.
- Chef Florian Wherli: Former Chef de Cuisine at Andre’s in Downtown, current executive chef at Triomphe Restaurant in New York.
- Chef Eric Patterson: Former Chef de Cuisine at Andre’s in Downtown, current chef/owner at The Cooks House in Traverse City, MI.
- Chef Arnaud Masset: Former sous chef at Andre’s in Downtown and Alizé, current executive chef at Palms Casino Resort.
- Chef Heather Zheng: Former sous chef at Andre’s in Downtown, current executive chef Shibuya at MGM Grand.
- Chef Mark Purdy: Current Chef de Cuisine at Alizé at the Top of Palms Casino Resort.
- Chef Tammy Alana: Current Executive Pastry Chef for Andre’s Restaurant & Lounge and Alizé.
- Chef Johnny Church: Former sous chef at Alizé and Andre’s Restaurant and Lounge, current chef/owner of MTO Café, Las Vegas.
- Chef Josh Smith: Former Chef at Alizé, current Executive Chef at Michael Mina’s BARDOT Brasserie at ARIA.
- Chef Chris Herrin: Former Pastry Chef Andre’s and Alizé, current President of CH Hospitality Group in Seattle, WA.
- Chef Scott Sampson: Former Chef Andre’s Downtown, currently chef/owner of Scotty’s Kitchen in Las Vegas.
- Chef Les Goodman: Former sous chef at Andre’s at Downtown and Andre’s Restaurant & Bar, current chef in Adafina, Calif.
The James Beard Foundation was selected as recipient of the evening’s proceeds as a result of André‘s relationship with the organization that spans more than 30 years. Through the Jean Louis Palladin Foundation and friends of James Beard Foundation, Rochat has raised more than $200,000 towards scholarships for aspiring young Chefs, apprentices and future food and beverage professionals.
To book reservations, call (702) 798-7151 or email [email protected].
ABOUT ANDRE’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE AT MONTE CARLO RESORT AND CASINO
Celebrating his 35th anniversary in Las Vegas, André Rochat has enhanced his AAA Four Diamond restaurant by combining its original old-world charm with a modern twist to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. An eclectic approach on a classic, Andre’s meshes the finest style of dining with a comfortable, elegant setting. In addition to dining in casual elegance, Andre’s is home to an impressive cigar lounge, one of the only spaces on the Las Vegas Strip available to enjoy a fine cigar and rare cognac from his internationally famous collection. Honored with a prestigious Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator, Andre’s Restaurant & Lounge at Monte Carlo has an encyclopedic wine list boasting more than 1,500 selections and an inventory of more than 12,000 bottles. Find on Facebook or follow on Twitter (@AndresLasVegas).
ABOUT THE JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION
Founded in 1986, the James Beard Foundation’s mission is to celebrate, nurture, and honor America’s diverse culinary heritage through programs that educate and inspire. A cookbook author and teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge about food, James Beard, who died in 1985, was a champion of American cuisine. He helped educate and mentor generations of professional chefs and food enthusiasts, instilling in them the value of wholesome, healthful and delicious food. Today the Beard Foundation continues in the same spirit by administering a number of diverse programs that include educational initiatives, food industry awards, scholarships for culinary students, publications, chef advocacy training, and thought-leader convening. The Foundation also maintains the historic James Beard House in New York City’s Greenwich Village as a “performance space” for visiting chefs. In September 2012, the Foundation launched the Diplomatic Culinary Partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Protocol and helped create the American Chef Corps as a way to champion American chefs abroad, promote American food products and foster an interest in American culinary culture and history through international programs and initiatives. For more information, please visit www.jamesbeard.org. Find insights on food at the James Beard Foundation’s blog Delights & Prejudices. Join the James Beard Foundation on Facebook. Follow the James Beard Foundation on Twitter and Instagram.