Chef Michael Mina Kicks Off Seventh Annual Vegas Uncork'd By Bon Appetit With Burst Of Prosecco At Celebratory Saber-Off

LAS VEGAS, May 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Culinary luminaries are descending on Las Vegas this weekend as the seventh annual Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit burst open with a splash. Acclaimed chef Michael Mina did the official honor, taking a saber to a magnum bottle of Mionetto Prosecco in front of the iconic 100,000-pound bronze lion statue at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. Joining him in what's become an annual tradition kicking off the celebrated festival, were dozens of top culinary icons including Francois Payard, Frank Pellegrino Jr., Guy Savoy, Ho Chee Boon, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Joel Robuchon, Julian Serrano, Mary Sue Milliken, Rick Moonen, representing Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Mandalay Bay and MGM Grand.

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A weekend filled with one-of-a-kind culinary events, including intimate dinners with the likes of Gordon Ramsay and Bobby Flay, cooking demonstrations with masters like Payard and Robuchon and exciting only-in-Vegas events pitting chefs against sommeliers and turning the spotlight on some of the newest foodie favorites in one of the country's most dynamic food and beverage destinations, Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit's 7^th annual lineup might be the best yet. Not to be missed:

• The Grand Tasting at the Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis at Caesars Palace happens Friday night and more than 2,500 food lovers are expected to attend and enjoy a night of sumptuous feasting with more than 50 award-winning chefs from across Las Vegas, including returning favorite Gordon Ramsay. Also making an appearance are chefs Roy Ellamar of Sensi at Bellagio and Mike Minor of Border Grill at Mandalay Bay, both of whom recently appeared on Food Network's Chopped and received tremendous acclaim for their quick skills in the kitchen.
• Bellagio Block Party where guests will have a chance to sample cuisine prepared by some of the finest chefs in the world while watching the Chase Sapphire Preferred Grill Challenge. The contest pits Akira Back against Todd English, each working side-by-side with a student from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Las Vegas who will be vying for the $20,000 prize.
   
• Unmatched Mother's Day Brunches, Vegas Uncork'd serves up three extraordinary brunches hosted at the restaurants of Alain Ducasse, Gordon Ramsay and the Pellegrino's. Event menus include a traditional English Sunday roast, Italian grilled items and French pastries and delicacies, all created to tantalize the taste buds and provide a perfect ending to the weekend.

A few tickets are still available for purchase at select events. For more information on Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit, tickets and full programming details, visit VegasUncorked.com.

ABOUT BON APPETIT   
Food is culture and Bon Appetit is where food and culture intersect in your life. Bon Appetit, in all its formats (print, digital, products, events) delivers not just recipes, tips, and techniques, but a world of lush travel, high-gloss entertaining, and up-to-the-minute restaurant coverage. It's a visually arresting publication, driven by excellent photography, clean graphics, and headlines that pop. And notable faces, too: Each issue features of-the-moment tastemakers, from chefs and restaurateurs to fashion designers and celebrities. All of these elements combine to make Bon Appetit the largest epicurean magazine in America with the most affluent readership.

ABOUT THE LVCVA    
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is charged with marketing Southern Nevada as a tourism and convention destination worldwide, and also with operating the Las Vegas Convention Center and Cashman Center. With more than 150,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas alone and 10.7 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space citywide, the LVCVA's mission centers on attracting ever increasing numbers of leisure and business visitors to the area.  For more information, go to www.lvcva.com or www.LasVegas.com.

ABOUT CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED
Chase Sapphire Preferred is a premier travel rewards card for people who are passionate about travel and dining. Chase Sapphire Preferred offers premium travel rewards and benefits with no travel restrictions or blackout dates on airfare booked through Ultimate Rewards, double points for every dollar spent on dining and travel, no foreign transaction fees, 24/7 live customer service and access to unique experiences such as Vegas Uncork'd. More information is available at ChaseSapphire.com.  

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SOURCE Bon Appetit