12th Annual Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit – If You Had to Choose One Food Weekend, This is the One

MGM Resorts’ most notable chefs (Photo Credit: Erik Kabik Photography/ erikkabik.com)
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Vegas Uncork’d can leave you awestruck by all of the amazing chefs, or simply by all the whimsical and delicious food they create, but more than likely it will be a combination of the two. While food events are have become commonplace in recent years, there is nothing common about  Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit. And, the 12th edition once again served up seemingly endless events over the four-day event that takes place all over the Las Vegas strip.

MGM Resorts’ most notable chefs gather for Picnic at The Park during Vegas Uncork’d (credit Al Powers for Powers Imagery

You might find one singular food event with a number of world-class chefs, but to bring what seems like an endless list of some of the best chefs in the world four days. The weekend began with Chef Masaharu Morimoto kicking things off with the Saber Off at The Park and then the weekend fittingly came to a close with a chance to celebrate Mother’s Day with brunch with Chef Bobby Flay or a “mom-mosa” brunch from Chef Lorena Garcia and a whole lot of over-the-top foodie heaven in between.

Chef Masaharu Morimoto at Saber Off

Caesar and 2,500 food enthusiasts welcomed the evening in grand style. The Grand Tasting featured more than 50 award-winning chefs and handcrafted cocktails to go along with a vast selection of wine and beer. There also was a whole lot of Chef Gordon Ramsay as he had several restaurants on display and you could choose from his fish & chips, burgers or his favorite beer as well as get a picture with him. There was plenty more as Chef Susan Feniger was blending margaritas on a bike,  you could satisfy your sweet tooth with Capn’ Crunch ice cream or some whacky Fruity Pebbles shake but the last flavor that you would want to leave with had to be the Chef Guy Savoy black truffle and artichoke soup that was so good you were likely to grab two at a time. Throw in some live music and mermaids and you had one truly memorable night.

Shakes from Black Tap at The Grand Tasting
Chef Guy Savoy and his team at the Restaurant Guy Savoy booth at the Grand Tasting. Photo Credit: Brenton Ho/ Kabik Photo Group

The second annual Picnic at The Park has quickly become one of the highlights of the weekend as it is Instagram heaven with, Vegas style!

Juniper serving cocktails at Picnic at the Park

Featuring live music, a lot of body paint that somehow didn’t melt in the sun and the most elevated picnic you could possibly imagine along with some of MGM Resorts’ most notable chefs including Masaharu Morimoto, the Voltaggio Brothers, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Michael Mina, Julian Serrano, Shawn McClain and Roy Ellamar. Picnic at The Park had not only a great lineup of food but also beer, wine and cocktails. The recently opened Juniper at Park MGM had their own lounge and was pouring some of their unique cocktails and Diane Mina was creating spicy and flavorful bloody Mary’s with her Diane’s Bloody Mary mixers.

Picnic at the Park
Picnic at the Park

 

“Not only being partners with my brother (Bryan), but MGM is the best partner a chef can have. The only reason you don’t do something is because you don’t think of it, they will support anything and they really iobring your dreams to life and we are blessed to be here in Vegas with everyone,” Chef Michael Voltaggio, who is partners with his brother Bryan at Voltaggio Brothers Steakhouse at MGM National Harbor.

Michael Voltaggio (L) Bryan Voltaggio (R) at Picnic at The Park

The events just seemed to get better and better as you could have listened to legendary chef Nobu Matsuhisa discuss his philosophy of sushi making at his “Beauty of Sushi” event.  An Afternoon Social with Michael Mina a four-course cocktail tasting from mixologist Craig Schoettler that were each paired with amazing bites. While there were many other great events the Sunset Clambake at The Cosmopolitan was simply an epic seafood extravaganza. From giant lobsters, to crabs and the biggest shrimp you have ever witnessed, you will never see more seafood in one sitting and you also got an amazing sunset and some lobster mac & cheese to complete the experience.

Sunset Clambake at The Cosmopolitan

This is Las Vegas so they had to throw a little extra on top of Vegas Uncork’d, so how about two nights of U2 and the official opening of Park MGM.  If you love food and enjoy hanging out with the best chefs in the world, start planning for 2019 and the 13th Vegas Uncork’d because as good an number 12 was, I can only imagine what they have in store for lucky 13.

For more information, visit: Vegas Uncork’d

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