Vegas Uncork'd By Bon Appetit Heats Up The Las Vegas Strip With The World's Best Chefs, Sommeliers And Mixologists, April 23-26

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Taking place earlier than ever before, Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit returns April 23-26 to ARIA, Bellagio, Caesars Palace and MGM Grand. A few of the headliners include chefs Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Gordon Ramsay, Julian Serrano, Francois Payard, Masa Takayama, Michael Mina, and Guy Savoy. Presented by returning sponsor Chase Sapphire Preferred® the festival is in its ninth year.

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"This is truly the only weekend each year when world class chefs gather in one destination to host intimate dinners where they push culinary innovation and mix and mingle with their fans and peers," says Adam Rapoport, Bon Appetit editor in chief.

Tickets on sale today at VegasUncorked.com.

Tickets are on sale now for perennial favorites such as the Grand Tasting at Caesars Palace and the returning Chef's Counter: All-Star Feast at ARIA, as well as a handful of new events, including Prime Time with Jean-Georges Vongerichten at his signature Prime Steakhouse at Bellagio; An Italian Brunch at Lago in Julian Serrano's soon-to-open Lago at Bellagio; and In HELL'S KITCHEN with Gordon Ramsay at Caesars Palace.

"Las Vegas continues to prove itself as one of the most dynamic culinary destinations in the world," says Cathy Tull, senior vice president of marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). "Our partnership with Bon Appetit raises the bar even higher by providing the once-in-a-lifetime experience to be up close with culinary masterminds."

This year the festival adds a new dimension by incorporating the partnership between Bon Appetit and Bravo Media to put the winner of the network's newest TV show, Best New Restaurant, in the spotlight at the Grand Tasting at Caesars Palace. Best New Restaurant will chronicle chefs from 16 restaurants across the country as they are challenged with a variety of tasks testing their overall performance, the strength of their staff, and the clarity of their concept.

Additionally, Chase Sapphire Preferred, a premier rewards credit card for people who are passionate about travel and dining, returns as the presenting sponsor of this year's Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit. Chase Sapphire cardholders will enjoy reserved tickets to coveted events and have exclusive access to interactive experiences with chefs, including an intimate Spanish brunch with acclaimed chef Julian Serrano and an opportunity to mingle with chefs inside the Chase Sapphire Preferred VIP lounge atop the Neptune pool at Caesar's Palace Garden of the Gods during the Grand Tasting.

Select events on sale now include:

New and notable:

• Prime Time with Jean-Georges Vongerichten (Bellagio), Thursday, April 23: Celebrated chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten invites you to experience steakhouse dining at its finest during this exclusive dinner event. The lakeside patio of Prime Steakhouse sets the stage for an elegant evening and offers magnificent views of The Fountains of Bellagio. Guests will be treated to a special four-course dinner showcasing various cuts of beef served by Jean-Georges himself with premier wine pairings.
• Decadent Delights with Master Chocolatier Francois Payard (Caesars Palace), Thursday, April 23: Experience French fare at its finest at Master Chocolatier Francois Payard's award-winning patisserie. Guests can expect first-class service and all the elegance of an authentic Parisian bistro as they delight in a selection of sweet and savory canapes and one-of-a-kind chocolate creations paired with premiere wines.
• In HELL'S KITCHEN with Gordon Ramsay (Caesars Palace), Saturday, April 25: Think you can take the heat in Gordon Ramsay's HELL'S KITCHEN? Don't miss this one-time opportunity to witness what it's like to be a contestant on your favorite TV competition show! During this high-energy event, guests will be divided into red and blue teams—and get to experience the action of HELL'S KITCHEN as award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay fires up one of his signature dishes during an exciting live cooking demo. All red and blue team participants will enjoy a corresponding dinner along with Ramsay and HELL'S KITCHEN winning chefs Christina Wilson and Scott Commings. HELL'S KITCHEN airs on FOX and is produced by ITV Studios America.
• An Italian Brunch at Lago (Bellagio), Sunday, April 26: Be one of the first to experience the new restaurant from award-winning chef Julian Serrano. Opening in spring 2015, Lago will offer a new take on social dining with a menu of creative Italian small plates and an innovative cocktail and wine program. Guests can savor a selection of Serrano's signature dishes and a build-your-own cocktail bar during this elegant seated lunch. Snag a special seat on the spacious outdoor patio with exquisite views of The Fountains of Bellagio.
• Beer and The Beast (Bellagio), Sunday, April 26: Get ready for a truly unforgettable dining experience. Renowned for his commitment to using sustainable and organically raised products, Sensi Executive Chef Royden Ellamar will take head-to-tail cooking to the extreme during this carnivore's dream dinner. Large platters of whole-cooked animals, including pig and goat, will be presented throughout the extraordinary meat-filled meal, to be enjoyed with a selection of craft brews.
• Celebrity Chef Brunch: A French Affair at BARDOT Brasserie (ARIA), Sunday, April 26: Enjoy classic French fare at Michael Mina's new restaurant, BARDOT Brasserie, a nod to Hemingway's Paris. An all-star roster of internationally celebrated chefs: Michael Mina, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Jean-Philippe Maury, Shawn McClain and Julian Serrano will serve up a bountiful brunch featuring classic French dishes paired with world-class French wines—all while taking in the sultry sounds of a live French jazz band. Ooh lala!

Returning favorites:

• Beef & Bourbon Dinner at Old Homestead (Caesars Palace), Thursday, April 23: The Master Series Dinner with Greg and Marc Sherry is back by popular demand, but this year he's created a stellar lineup of steakhouse-style dishes to be paired with specialty bourbons. Don't miss your chance to experience the best aged and hand-selected meats accompanied by exclusive and rare bourbon selections during a seated dinner at this iconic American steakhouse.
• Chefs' Counter: All-Star Feast (ARIA), Thursday, April 23: Kick off the weekend in true Vegas-style—with ARIA's stellar lineup of A-list celebrity chefs! Mingle with culinary superstars Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Julian Serrano, Michael Mina, Masa Takayama and Shawn McClain as they take over The Buffet at ARIA and put their gourmet spin on self-service style dining. Celebrate the start of Vegas Uncork'd with unlimited champagne and award-winning specialties from world-renowned chefs.
• Grand Tasting (Caesars Palace), Friday, April 24: Are you ready for the ultimate culinary indulgence? Enjoy a staggering variety of signature dishes prepared by the world's most celebrated chefs. Step into the luxurious Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis at Caesars Palace to experience the best of the best—with more than 50 award-winning chefs, free-flowing wines, and spirits from around the world. INSIDER TIP: Beat the crowd with an Early Access ticket! You'll get exclusive early admission to sample the freshest dishes and drinks from your favorite chefs and top mixologists.
• Indulge and Imbibe: A Hakkasan Wine & Food Experience (MGM Grand), Saturday, April 25: A one-of-a-kind culinary experience awaits at Hakkasan Las Vegas Restaurant beginning with a six-course dinner featuring the restaurant's globally acclaimed menu. Prepared by Michelin-starred Chef Ho Chee Boon and his team of highly skilled wok and dim sum chefs, guests will be led on a journey though the art of modern Cantonese cooking coupled with exquisite wines as selected by Group Head of Wine, Christine Parkinson, the world renowned curator of Hakkasan's award-winning wine program. Parkinson will host the affair and guide guests through the unique Hakkasan wine selection process where they will feel like a master sommelier for the evening.  
• Mix Master: Pour Like a Pro (ARIA), Saturday, April 25: Break out your best bartending skills during this fun-filled, interactive cocktail competition and seminar. Before the high-energy throwdown, participants will get creative inspiration as they watch master mixology expert Craig Schoettler shake up ARIA's signature drinks. Then, contestants will break up into teams, choose from a selection of fresh market ingredients, and compete against fellow participants to see who can mix up the best original cocktail. The winning team will score a grand prize and have their drink featured on the menu.
• Little Italy From City To Strip: Rao's Italian Brunch with The Pellegrinos (Caesars Palace), Sunday, April 26: Say ciao to an afternoon affair at Rao's where you'll feel like you've been transported to Southern Italy. Join Frank Pellegrino, Jr. for a special multicourse feast featuring all the favorite family recipes, authentic specialties, refreshing specialty cocktails and non-stop entertainment that comes with a traditional Italian Sunday brunch.
• Third Annual Chase Sapphire Preferred Grill Challenge: The competition returns this year with two Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts students battling it out as sous chefs alongside celebrity chefs for scholarship funds, courtesy of Chase Sapphire Preferred. More information to follow.

More events and chefs will be announced in the coming weeks, including details about the expanded Master Series Dinner program, which will stretch across multiple properties throughout the weekend. For additional information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.VegasUncorked.com. 

About Bon Appetit
Bon Appetit is where food and culture meet. The award-winning No. 1 food lifestyle brand covers food through the lens of fashion, travel, technology, design, and home. Under editor in chief Adam Rapoport, the brand has been nominated for 11 National Magazine Awards, including wins in 2014 for General Excellence and Photography; 10 James Beard Foundation Journalism Awards; and more than 50 Society of Publication Designers (SPD) nominations for design and photography, including Magazine of the Year. Under vice president and publisher Pamela Drucker Mann, the magazine was named the Advertising Age A-List Magazine of the Year and Adweek's Food Magazine of the Year in 2012, 2013 and 2014. 

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 10.8 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 rewards credit card for people who are passionate about travel and dining. With Sapphire Preferred you enjoy 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; the Chip and Signature for international travel; no foreign transaction fees; 1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs; 24/7 live customer service; access to exclusive cardmember experiences; and more. More information is available at www.chasesapphire.com/preferred.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7395251-vegas-uncork-d-by-bon-appetit-april-23-26-select-tickets-on-sale-now/

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