World's Most Celebrated Chefs Gather For First Time at Iconic Las Vegas Landmark

Wolfgang Puck will co-chair and oversee the 2008 4-day event

Wolfgang Puck owns 6 restaurants in Las Vegas. Photo: Las Vegas News Bureau/LVCVA; menupages.com

(LAS VEGAS) - Las Vegas is an extraordinary culinary destination, one that features some of the best and most celebrated chefs in the world.

Today, more than 20 of those chefs gathered for a historic moment, at the equally historic "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign. Paul Bartolotta, Todd English, Susan Feniger, Jean-Philippe Maury, Mary Sue Milliken, Michael Mina, Bradley Ogden, Carla Pellegrino, Agostino Sciandri, Kerry Simon, Julian Serrano, Alex Stratta, Jean-Georges Vongerichten and David Walzog were just a few of the top names on hand to kick-off the destination's popular culinary entertainment event, Vegas Uncork'd, a Bon Appétit Epicurean Experience.

Vegas Uncork'd, coming up May 8th-11th, brings together Bon Appétit Magazine, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and an exclusive group of Las Vegas resorts, including Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Lake Las Vegas, and Wynn Las Vegas, for four days of more than 25 events.

Announced Wednesday, Wolfgang Puck will co-chair and oversee the weekend's festivities, alongside Bon Appétit Editor-in-Chief, Barbara Fairchild.

Wolfgang Puck was the first celebrity chef to make Las Vegas home, opening Spago at the Forum Shops in 1992. He now has six restaurants in the destination, including Chinois (Forum Shops), Postrio (The Venetian), Trattoria del Lupo (Mandalay Bay), Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill (MGM Grand), and CUT (The Palazzo)

Confirmed highlights of Vegas Uncork'd 2008 include: a Tale of Five Chefs Gala at Bellagio; a delicious weekend wrap-up brunch and a cocktail smack down at Wynn Las Vegas; and, the Grand Tasting and a Masters vs. Rookies Pro-Am cooking competition, both at Caesars Palace. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will host an after-hours poker tournament, while an extraordinary evening of music at Lake Las Vegas Resort will kick off the resort's Summer Concert Series. Bon Appétit Executive Chef and Iron Chef Cat Cora will also be participating.

In the fall of 2007, Las Vegas became only the fourth U.S. city to be profiled by the authors of the Michelin Guide, the prestigious restaurant and lodging guidebook. Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand received top honors with the coveted three-star rating.

Earlier in 2007, AAA awarded four restaurants their prestigious Five Diamond Award: Alex at Wynn Las Vegas, Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand, Le Cirque and Picasso at Bellagio. Both Alex at Wynn Las Vegas and Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand have recently been honored with Five-Star ratings by Mobil Travel Guide.

In 2004, Bradley Ogden received the James Beard Foundation Award for Best New Restaurant in the nation, the first Las Vegas restaurant to win the title. Vegas Uncork'd marks another momentous milestone along Las Vegas' journey toward becoming one of the world's most esteemed culinary capitals.

Source: LCVCA