Culinary Cavalcade
On any tour of America’s culinary scene, Las Vegas is essential. The Strip has an absurd concentration of celebrity chefs, master mixologists and sommeliers, with the neighborhoods boasting brilliant up-and-comers.
All will be showcased Oct. 26, when the USA TODAY Wine and Food Experience hits the Las Vegas Festival Grounds. It’s the sixth stop on a coast-to-coast, 10-city exploration of the gourmet sector, and stars from Strip restaurants like Susan Feniger (Border Grill and BBQ Mexicana at Mandalay Bay) and Roy Ellamar (Harvest at Bellagio) are among the headlining talent.
Chefs from more than two dozen restaurants and their beverage counterparts will be sharing flavors and mingling with attendees, whether chatting over a sample or giving a demo or full seminar. The idea is to get at what’s trending and traditional in Las Vegas dining, so the place comes alive in the glass and on the plate.
Feniger pulls from the streets and beaches of Mexico, while Ellamar celebrates bounty from the garden. The Wine and Food Experience is full of such contrast, what with burger joints and steakhouses, low-key dumplings and theatrical tapas, classic Italian and eclectic American. And the Grand Tasting includes fine wines, craft beers and premium spirits.
The event is also about learning from the pros, such as top sommeliers Ian Cauble and Chris Miller. They are joined by a surprising pair of winemakers—WWE champions, reality stars and identical twins Brie and Nikki Bella. The sisters cofounded Napa’s Belle Radici and will share their love for the grape (and generous attitude toward selfies) with fans.
Any ticket means an indulgent good time, though VIP grants early entry and extra meet-and-greets. Either way, the Wine and Food Experience demands a palate ready for adventure, and perhaps a comfy outfit that can accommodate the scale of one epic feast. –Erin Ryan
Las Vegas Festival Grounds, 1-4 p.m. Oct. 26, VIP early entry at noon, starting at $85-$140 VIP plus tax, fee. wineandfood.usatoday.com
Hot Picks
No Boundaries
Sexual. Sensual. Daring. It’s all there, and then some, at Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity. The adults-only show, filled with just as much titillation as there is talent, is a journey through our desires as well as a spotlight on physical feats and talents. Enjoy comedy, music, aerialists, dancers, balancing acts and more. It’s a buffet of theatrical delights. –Kiko Miyasato
New York-New York, 7 & 9:30 p.m. Fri.-Tues., starting at $69 plus tax and fee, 18+. 866.606.7111
Pink Persuasion
There’s still time to help donate to breast cancer research and awareness—specifically the Susan G. Komen Foundation—through the end of October when you purchase a specially made donut from local-favorite bakery Pink Box Donuts. Order pink ribbon-shaped and classic-shaped donuts, both with pink frosting and pink sprinkles. Ten percent of each purchase will go toward the charity. –KM
Multiple locations, visit pinkboxdonuts.com for more info.
Page to Plate
Enjoy a new tasty brunch at celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis’ eponymous restaurant at The Cromwell. The new Book Club Brunch Tasting Menu lets guests choose a salad, entrée and dessert from a menu of tableside presentations of Italian-influenced dishes inspired by recipes found in De Laurentiis’ best-selling cookbooks. –KM
The Cromwell, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fri.-Sun., $55 per person. 866.733.5827
