If the James Beard Awards (handed out in May) are the Oscars of America’s food world, then the Michelin Guide’s annual fete is, at the very least, the equivalent of the last night at the Cannes Film Festival. Throw in a little Nicolas Feuillatte Palme d’Or ‘97, and you have the makings of quite a bash. Such was the case around the private pool area at the Wynn last night, where there were more French accents in the air than you’ll ever find anywhere but here.

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In keeping with the shoddy reporting and gossip mongering for which he is known, ELV had his half-in-the-bag ear to the ground all night long. Thus was he and his staff able to cull interesting tidbits, slanderous innuendo, and blackmail-worthy snaps from this convocation of the world’s greatest kitchen talent as they mingled and chowed down on superior grub from each of the Wynn chefs.

Sightings:

Steve Wynn, Jean-Luc Naret (Director, Michelin Guides), Susan Ungaro (President of the James Beard Foundation), Mitchell Davis, NORM!, Robin Leach, Piero Selvaggio, the Kellers: Hubert and Thomas, Daniel Boulud, Julian Serrano, Gilles Kolakowski, Claude Le Tohic, Steve Benjamin, Richard Chen, David Werly, Martin Heierling, Paul Bartolotta, Lesley (www.eaterla.com) Balla, Franck Savoy, Tom Kaplan, Fabio Trabocchi, Luciano Pellegrini, Donato Poto (Providence in L.A. – awarded two Michelin Stars), Mika (http://foodfashionista.com) Takeuchi, Al (Mohawk) Mancini, David Walzog, Max Jacobson, Grace Bascos, Ken Langdon, Theo Schoenegger, Bruno Davillion, Boris Villat, Gregory Gorreau, Emmanuel Cornet, Alex Taylor, Flo Rogers, Denise Valdez, Anthony Amoroso, Sarah Kozowski, David (Huckleberry) Ross, John Rooney, Andre (Would You Like To Buy My Restaurant?) Rochat, and Gil (May I Sell You Some Wine, Sucker?) Lempert-Schwartz.

Rumors were overheard that Restaurant Charlie may be closing (doubtful), Andre’s downtown likewise (highly probable), and that Thomas and Hubert Keller might dance together at the after-party. (ELV camped out to the wee hours with digital camera in hand to capture just such a moment, but the best he could do was catching Daniel Boulud doing the watusi.)

And speaking of Boulud, his forty foot long charcuterie table was the crowd pleaser of the night….along with Bartolotta’s salt-crusted sea bass and langoustines.

Embarrassing and incriminating snaps now posted…with the most shameful (blackmail appropriate) ones being held by ELV in a vault for future insurance against scurrilous (though probably truthful) attacks on his character.