Vegas Uncork’d presented by bon appétit pulled off its 7th year in grand style. It was a long weekend of glorious excess, showcasing some of the world’s most famous chefs and the Strip’s most glittering venues.
Vegas Uncork’d presented by bon appétit pulled off its 7th year in grand style. It was a long weekend of glorious excess, showcasing some of the world’s most famous chefs and the Strip’s most glittering venues.
Michael Mina led a star-studded cadre of chefs in the sabre-off photo op that’s become the traditional kickoff, and first big photo op of Uncork’d.
If there was one venue everyone was curious to see in person, it was Hakkasan, the new restaurant/ultra-lounge/club that aims to be the biggest and best nightlife destination on the Strip – not to mention, a fine dining standout just like its London and Miami sister restaurants.
It did not disappoint. Multiple tastings and a VIP-swarmed opening night party allowed hundreds of Uncork’d attendees to get the Hakkasan experience. Bobby Flay and numerous other chefs were rumored to have partied till daybreak, while later in the weekend, Ke$ha celebrated her birthday in the private dining room.
Always the best-attended event of Uncork’d, this dine-around party brought participating restaurants from all over Las Vegas, including some that haven’t even opened yet. Southern Wine & Spirits seemingly poured their entire portfolio, DJs and go-go dancers performed for the wandering crowds…and yet somehow, nobody wound up in the pool. We’re not sure how that was avoided.
This photo shows exactly why we’ve had a chef-crush on Masa Takayama for years now; while most of the other famous names were hobnobbing with fans and hitting on ladies, Masa worked side-by-side with his team manning a smoking grill. As they cheffed, the team bobbed their heads to the music, snuck sake shots, and turned their corner of the Grand Tasting into a serious party.
A room full of wine aficionados geeked out mid-afternoon during Master Sommeliers Jason Smith and Fred Dame’s totally entertaining and educational seminar on California Zinfandel. Things started off slow, but by somewhere into the third glass, the presenter banter and crowd participation was in full swing.
So many chefs were in attendance that we can’t even list them all: Guy Savoy, Alain Ducasse, Bobby Flay, Gordon Ramsay, and on and on. We enjoyed seeing Michel Richard, who hosted his own Master Series dinner at Central and was obviously delighted to spend time with his guests.
It may have taken place indoors and been rather sedate by Oktoberfest standards, but the Beer Garden did not stint on the food front; witness the whole roast suckling pig.
One of the greatest events of Uncork’d was the Bellagio Block Party; everyone who managed to see the Chase Sapphire Grill Challenge found it a major highlight of the evening. Todd English and Akira Back engaged in a bit of smack-talking and a lot of fancy knife-work. Todd Huelsman and Andrew Merfalen performed sous chef duties to the utmost of their abilities, tense with the knowledge that $20K was on the line.
Though both teams performed admirably, Todd English and Todd Huelsman were declared winners. Le Cordon Bleu student, Huelsman, took home the $20K scholarship from Chase Sapphire Preferred, and in a victorious moment later on in the kitchen, confided his intention to try out for more and bigger competitions in the future. See you on Top Chef, Todd.
By Sunday, a lot of people were almost worn out, but a variety of deluxe brunches coaxed some revelers back for another day of indulgence. During Alain Ducasse’s brunch at miX, blueberry mojitos were offered upon entry, but those who didn’t want to indulge in alcohol could opt for a refresher like this strawberry cilantro lemonade. Most people had both. And Champagne.
