Nine years in and Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit still has something new up its sleeve. The biggest food festival in Las Vegas shook up its star chef-studded four-day event by moving it to April, added some bam to the seasoning with Emeril Lagasse in the mix for the first time, shook in some new events and stirred it together with some familiar faces.

Caesars Palace, Aria, Bellagio and MGM Grand pack a punch with their rosters of culinary luminaries showing off their kitchen prowess at 23 events. By the conclusion of the food and booze extravaganza, April 23-26,

from the starting saber-off, guests will have dined on Cantonese cuisine at Hakkasan, learned master pastry moves from François Payard, eaten through the entire Wolfgang Puck empire in Las Vegas, capped it all off with a Grand Tasting with 50 of the biggest names in the food world and ended with Rao’s traditional family brunch.

“Bon Appétit ups their game every year,” said Mary Sue Milliken, who has two events at her new Border Grill at The Forum Shops at Caesars with her Too Hot Tamales partner of 30 years, Susan Feniger. “All the participating resorts really jump in with both feet. I love having the intimate time with our guests during our cooking classes. I think whenever we’re one-on-one with our guests, it’s the most fun.”

Vegas Uncork’d newcomer Lagasse is going to kick things up a notch with a casual New Orleans-style seafood extravaganza and a heady Creole dinner at MGM Grand. Expect to sweat during these spicy little numbers.

Julian Serrano debuts his new Milanese-inspired Lago at Bellagio just in time for Uncork’d. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to be in the national spotlight,” Serrano said. Several years ago, he sabered off the cork on a bottle of champagne to mark the opening of the event. “I was kind of nervous that I might screw it up, but now I feel a little more relaxed.” In all, he participates in five events, including a brunch that will christen his restaurant with its stunning view of the Fountains of Bellagio.

Other firsts for the event include a Krug champagne dinner with Guy Savoy at his namesake restaurant at Caesars Palace, a pop-up restaurant with the winner of Bravo’s Best New Restaurant and Gordon Ramsay conducting a fiery face-off between two of his Vegas chefs who won Hell’s Kitchen, Christina Wilson and Scott Commings.

Can’t decide? Make it the Grand Tasting, the crown jewel of the event set among the pools at the Garden of the Gods at Caesars Palace. A bevy of chefs, 50 in all, feature their best dishes around the Roman-inspired setting. A tease of those boldface names includes Giada De Laurentiis, Brian Malarkey with his new Searsucker, Steve Martorano, Shawn McClain, Michael Mina and Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

“At the very least, be at the gala on Friday night and grab a bite to eat,” Milliken advised.

Save some room and energy for the after-party, where celebrity chefs, the editors of Bon Appétit and guests party one last time together at Fizz Las Vegas, the swanky champagne lounge at Caesars Palace.

April 23-26, times, prices and venues vary. vegasuncorked.com