James Beard Award Finalists Announced

Congratulations to Saipin Chutima and Picasso, and its Master Sommelier Robert Smith, for being nominated as finalists for the 2011 James Beard Awards.

Chutima is nominated for the third year in a row (if memory serves) in the Best Chef Southwest category, while this is at least the third time Smith and Picasso have reached the final round. (Continue after the jump for the complete list of finalists in all categories.)

Continue reading “James Beard Award Finalists Announced”

Crazy Canadians and Fraidy-Cat Asians Anticipate Vegas Uncork’d

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Crazy Canadian acrobats and slightly-frightened Asians are beginning to go b0nkers over this year’s Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appetit.

Perhaps because they know a certain event — Culinary Conversations with a certain someone and his co-authors — will be both stimulating and delicious.

Topics will include:

> The ins and outs of restaurant criticism;

> What’s hot (and what’s not) on the Vegas restaurant scene;

> Who’s hot (and who’s jumped the shark) in our humble burg;

> The food fights behind EATING LAS VEGAS – The 50 Essential Restaurants;

> Insider tips on how to tackle the Vegas eating scene when money is no object (and when it is), and finally;

> Critiquing the critics, i.e. how to judge them, what to look for in a good one…and their dirty little secrets/tricks of the trade.

Be there for the delicious dish, but please remember to turn your cellphones off…lest you feel compelled to uncontrollably chat in pidgin Chinese whilst reminding your relatives there’s only 44 days to go!

ELV Goes Gay* For Vegas Uncork’d

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Sartorially silly skater Johnny Weir, and comely, conversational cook Cat Cora, made sure everyone had a gay old time at last year’s Vegas Uncork’d Fendi Gala Dinner.

Both of them are known for their alternative lifestyles, (and Weir for having the largest butt ELV has ever seen on a human male): Continue reading “ELV Goes Gay* For Vegas Uncork’d”