The city is set to drink deeply this fall from the nation’s food and drink talent. The inaugural Drink Las Vegas, a culinary and cocktail festival, will run from Sept. 24 through 27 at four MGM Resorts properties — Aria, Bellagio, The Cosmopolitan, Park MGM — on the Strip.
Drink incorporates an opening party, panels and seminars, food and cocktail tastings, lunches, dinners and other experiences at more than 30 venues inside the properties. The event recently announced the chefs, restaurateurs, mixologists, sommeliers and other hospitality professionals who are participating. Among the marquee chefs and their Vegas affiliations:
Roy Choi (Best Friend, The Chef Truck).
Tom Colicchio (Craftsteak).
Mary Sue Milliken (BBQ Mexicana, Border Grill).
Michael Mina (Bardot Brasserie, Bourbon Steak, Orla).
Masaharu Morimoto (Morimoto).
Wolfgang Puck (Caramá, Spago and several other restaurants).
Jean-Georges Vongerichten (Jean Georges Steakhouse).
Among the other notable participants: Eric Adjepong, a “Top Chef” finalist and host; Karen Akunowicz, a James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Northeast; Michelle Bernstein, a James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur and TV host; Christine Kim of Service Bar, a North America’s 50 Best Bars honoree; Lynnette Marrero, one of the country’s most influential mixologists; and master sommelier Jason Smith, vice president of global strategy for Constellation Brands and former executive director of wine for MGM Resorts.
Drink Las Vegas will benefit Keep Memory Alive, supporting the funding of research, treatment and care for brain disorders at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit drinklasvegas.com and follow @drinklasvegas on Instagram.
Contact Johnathan L. Wright at jwright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @JLWTaste on Instagram.
