Behind The Scenes: Las Vegas Uncork'd 2013

The seventh annual Vegas Uncork’d kicked off in front of MGM Grand’s infamous bronze lion statue where 40 chefs from Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Mandalay Bay and MGM Grand gathered to mark the official beginning of festivities. After each chef was presented with a customized, hand-painted magnum of Mionetto Prosecco, attention turned to Michael Mina. He was filled with excitement as he sabered a bottle of bubbly while Joel Robuchon applauded with approval. There were rounds of cheers from both chefs and spectators as the sparkling wine exploded out.

Later in the evening, Caesars Palace hosted a series of Master Series Dinners where Guy Savoy, Bobby Flay, François Payard, the Pellegrino Family, Gordon Ramsay, Thomas Buckley and Michel Richard served up signature dishes at the same time to a crowd of hungry diners.

Internationally renowned chef and restaurateur Guy Savoy welcomed guests to his Caesars Palace restaurant for a multi-course meal at Dinnertime Decadence with Guy Savoy. In less than a year after opening, Savoy's first restaurant received a coveted Michelin Star. Guests at the dinner enjoyed Lobster, Jumbo Lump Crab and Beets in Cold Steam, Artichoke and Black Truffle Soup and Roasted Duck, Pea Puree, Morels and Canon of Carrot. 

(click read more for the entire story)

The Countdown to Vegas Uncork'd by bon appetit

With only 45 days until a multitude of the most innovative forces in the culinary world unite in the desert to throw a months worth of celebrity filled, awe inspiring parties in just under 72 hours, the question remains, will you be there? 

Vegas Uncork’d by bon appétit, will be celebrating its 7^th anniversary this year with a few dozen jaw dropping, stomach growl creating affairs that will without a doubt will be bigger, bolder and more extravagant than all of the years passed, combined. When the biggest names in the hotel & food industry come together to honor the greatest Chef’s & Sommeliers in the Nation, it truly can be touted as a once in a lifetime opportunity to not only experience their culinary feats, but to also get a chance to strike up a conversation with them in person.

On hand will be some of the biggest names from Guy Savoy, Bobby Flay, Alan Ducasse, Ho Chee Boon, Michael Mina, Nobu Matsuhisa, Gordon Ramsay, Michael Richard, Joel Robuchon & many more. Backing the event to ensure a great that each fete is better than the last are bon appétit, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, Chase Sapphire Preferred, Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada and more. Combining the honorees with the incredibly famous celebrity attendees this event draws year after year helps you to realize why this coveted event sells out fast.

For a complete listing of the events taking place or for more info on how to get tickets, click Read More.

Chef Ralph Pagano Opens Alba on Collins, in Sunny Isles Beach

SUNNY ISLES BEACH, Fla. – (Jan. 14, 2013) – Solé on the Ocean and Executive Chef Ralph Pagano are pleased to announce the official re-launch of Alba, a seaside Italian restaurant and lounge located at 17315 Collins Ave., inside Solé on the Ocean hotel. Overlooking the glimmering sands and turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the 130-seat indoor/outdoor beach-chic concept serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.

“Sole’s pristine beach, groovy design and incredible sunrises and sunsets seduced me like a siren,” says Pagano, whose effervescent personality has landed him multiple TV roles, including the host of Lifetime Television Network’s “All Mixed Up” and Travel Channel’s award-winning “Pressure Cook.” Ralph has battled Bobby Flay on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” and been to Hell and back with Gordon Ramsay on the original season of FOX’s “Hell’s Kitchen.”

Pagano’s flavor balance stems from a lifetime of culinary travel mixed with Italian style and classic French technique, creating what he calls “vacation cuisine.” His approach to Alba’s menu is centered on casual fine dining and offers the freshest seafood and pasta, both à la carte and family-style.

The menu offers a daily variety of fresh seafood and shellfish, including legendary Florida Stone Crabs, Stingray Oysters, Maine Lobster Cocktail, Colossal Shrimp Cocktailand Maryland Lump Crab Cocktail.  A selection of fresh fish is available and can be prepared simply grilled, Fra Diavolo-style with clams, mussels, shrimp and calamari in Arrabiata tomato sauce, or topped Oscar-style with colossal crab meat, hollandaise and jumbo asparagus.

Food Network's® Next Iron Chef (season 5) Contestants Announced

Revenge, Retaliation & Get Back are sometimes the main motivation people have to push on with life after facing a nasty defeat at the hands of a formidable opponent.  In other instances people sometimes just want to prove to both themselves and their doubters that they simply weren’t failures. Either way you look at it, both views can light a fire under someone that will not be extinguished until they emerge victorious from their fight.

The latest season (Season 5 to be exact,) of The Next Iron Chef is going to be loaded with moments where Chef’s who have previously tried and failed to obtain the illustrious title of Iron Chef, are thrown into the deep fryer once again.

With high hopes of joining such highly esteemed Chef’s such as Masaharu Morimoto, Cat Cora, Bobby Flay, Michael Symon, Jose Garces and more recently Geoffrey Zakarian in the house that Chairman Kaga & his nephew Mark Dacascos built.

This season will feature previous losers; Tim Love & Marcel Vigneron from The Next Iron Chef One, Elizabeth Falkner, Nate Appleman, Amanda Freitag, Eric Greenspan nd Jehangir Mehta from season Two & Alex Guarnaschelli & Spike Mendelsohn from The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs.

FoodNetwork.com will also be giving away a tenth slot to the winner of an exclusive web based competition which will feature an entirely different cast than what will be aired, starting:

Sunday, November 4^th at 6pm Pacific / 7pm Central

Recipe Of The Day: Double Cheddar Hamburger w/ Grilled Onions

Nothing beats a hot hamburger loaded with flavor on a sunny day. Try this burger out at your next backyard BBQ and watch as the moistness from the meat and cheeses blends perfectly together, guaranteeing your guests will be asking for seconds.
The smokey flavor of the grilled onions is the perfect topper for this occasion and as such should be enjoyed with an ice cold beer such as a Frambois, Fat Tire or possibly a mint laced Mojito for those looking to lighten it up a bit.
And if that isn't enough to entice you to eat it, this recipe is an adaption to the very one used by Bobby Flay for his Hamburger throwdown, which he won.
Enjoy!