Vegas Uncork'd ‘Toques Off to Paul Bocuse’ May 7

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LAS VEGAS (April 2011) – Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit today released new details regarding “Toques Off to Paul Bocuse,” the lavish, multi-course dinner to be held Saturday, May 7, at MGM Grand. Joining previously announced chefs, Alain Ducasse, Hubert Keller, Joël Robuchon and Julian Serrano, will be Jean-Philippe Maury, Michael Mina, Bradley Ogden, Roland Passot, André Renard, Jacques Torres and J. Joho, all of whom will prepare delectable courses for this unforgettable evening.

Collectively, this group represents the brightest constellation of award-winning chefs gathered to prepare a formal meal. In honor of Bocuse and his giving spirit, Southern Nevada charity partners have been named as beneficiaries of the evening: Keep Memory Alive (the non-profit organization that supports Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, founded by Larry Ruvo, senior managing director of Southern Wine & Spirits) and the Wirtz Beverage Group’s culinary programs and scholarships at the College of Southern Nevada.

“This unprecedented event makes an important statement about Las Vegas as a culinary destination and Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit’s appeal not only to food lovers, but to the world’s greatest chefs themselves,” said Adam Rapoport, editor-in-chief, Bon Appétit. Uniting this stellar group of chefs is a shared admiration and appreciation for legendary chef Paul Bocuse. Creator of the Bocuse d’Or—the world’s most prestigious international culinary competition held annually in Lyon, France—Chef Bocuse has influenced generations of chefs around the world and multitudes of gastronomes they serve.

The evening’s program promises “Toques Off” attendees a momentous culinary experience set amidst evocative surroundings reminiscent of Paul Bocuse’s landmark French restaurants. Upon arrival at 7 p.m., guests will be greeted by an exceptional cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception featuring stations helmed personally by chefs J. Joho, Hubert Keller, Shawn McClain, Bradley Ogden and Julian Serrano. At 8 p.m., the doors to an elegantly appointed ballroom will open, where a meticulously conceived and prepared, four-course dinner, prepared by an impressive array of superstar chef pairings, awaits.

Chef duos already announced include Alain Ducasse and Joël Robuchon, who will prepare a cold appetizer, and Michael Mina and Roland Passot, who will present the entrée. Created exclusively for the evening’s program, a retrospective of Paul Bocuse’s life and illustrious career will be complemented by in-person anecdotes shared by his colleagues and friends. Concluding the evening, an elaborate dessert reception by renowned pâtissiers Jean-Philippe Maury and André Renard, as well as chocolatier Jacques Torres, will delight guests, leaving them with sweet memories of an evening spent in the company of culinary royalty.

Rob O’Keefe, executive director, Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit, adds, “Only the most exciting culinary destination in the world would dream of pulling off a tribute of this scale. We’re honored to pay homage to this icon of international gastronomy and delighted to be able to do so here in Las Vegas.” ABOUT VEGAS UNCORK’D BY BON APPÉTIT: Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit is a unique, four-day culinary extravaganza featuring 25 intimate luncheons, dinners, tastings and other immersive and entertaining culinary experiences.

Year after year, Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit draws gourmands, luxury travelers and extraordinary chefs from around the globe to Las Vegas, all lured by the prospect of partaking in this epic foodie extravaganza. Its five partner resorts include Bellagio, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and Wynn | Encore; the event is made possible by its title sponsor, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, major sponsors Travelocity, Infiniti and other national brands. Among the famous names joining Bon Appétit magazine Editor-in-Chief Adam Rapoport at this year’s events are chefs Paul Bartolotta, Tom Colicchio, Alain Ducasse, Hubert Keller, Michael Mina, Rick Moonen, Bradley Ogden, Francois Payard, Joël Robuchon, Guy Savoy, Julian Serrano, Alex Stratta and many more. To purchase tickets, visit www.VegasUncorked.com.

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French Cocktail Hour Voila! Aperitif

New York, New York, April 22, 2011 – French Cocktail Hour, or Apéritif à la Française, now in its eighth consecutive year in the U.S., announces its partnership with House Party™ to select 1,000 French Cocktail Hour hosts for a unique summer soirée on Thursday, June 2nd 2011. Organized by the French Ministry of Food Agriculture & Fisheries and produced by Sopexa, this annual French pastime celebration, aptly named, apéritif(ah-pair-ee-teef), was originally conceived to “whet the appetite” for dinner or lunch. Today it is recognized as an integral part of daily French social life and perhaps one of the most pleasurable parts of the day. “Now in our third year partnering with House Party™, we anticipate over 15,000 excited guests to simultaneously rendezvous in 1,000 U.S. homes”, says Valérie Gérard-Matsuura, Business Development Manager at Sopexa USA. Mark your calendars and apply today to kick-off the summer with close friends over drinks and tasty bites, all in celebration of this cherished moment at the end of the day – just as the French do!  BECOME A 2011 FRENCH COCKTAIL HOUR HOST! 1,000 French Cocktail Hour hosts are now being selected to throw an Apéritif à la Française House Party™. This year’s French Cocktail Hour House Party™ is open to residents in 10 participating states: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington D.C.  Deadline is Friday, April 29th – APPLY TODAY Become a French Cocktail Hour host and, if selected, enter to various prizes, including a glamorous trip for two to France at the 5-Star Les Sources de Caudalíe Hotel & Spa, courtesy of the French Government Tourism Office.  Once selected, each host will create their own party page on 21.houseparty.com/2011frenchcocktailhour (goes live May 5) where they can blog about their parties, post pictures, videos and stories to be shared on the national party page with other hosts! To help make throwing their chic soirée a snap, hosts will receive the 2011 French Cocktail Hour Party Pack, which includes the Ultimate Guide to Hosting French Cocktail Hour, as well as party accoutrements such as a cocktail recipe book, silver serving tray, cocktail shaker, cheeseboard, hostess apron and more. Coupons from cheese and wine participating brands will also be included to aid the host in putting some French Chic into their party!  2011 Event Sponsors are: B & B, Barton & Guestier, Noilly Prat, Ile de French Cheese, Le Palais des Thés and the French Government Tourism Office. Participating retailers, Simply Gourmand and Wally’s Wines, will also offer something beneficial to each household. Available May 9th to June 2nd, the online French Concierge will be able to assist in preparing hosts for an authentic Parisian soirée starting Thursday, June 2nd!  All lovers of French food and drink are invited to connect and follow French Cocktail Hour at Facebook .

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Chateaubriand

posted by Paige Donner

TOP TEN OF WORLD'S BEST RESTAURANTS, 2011

This year Chef Inaki Aizpitarte's Le Chateaubriand made it into the Top Ten of the World's 50 Best list.

CONTACT

129 avenue Parmentier 75011 Paris

+33 (0) 143574595
Google map

The dinner choice is Prix Fixe and no one has ever complained. If you have one restaurant to try when you are in Paris, this is a Winner!

In 2010 Le Chateaubriand was #11. In 2011 Le Chateaubriand is #10 on the 50 Best Restaurants in the world list.

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Secret Paris Picnics

by Paige Donner

Paris is catching on to a wildly popular UK dining custom called "Secret Dinners." In certain parts of the U.S., such as L.A. and NYC, they are popular, too. Essentially, they are moveable feasts where the people, the food and, most importantly, the locales are never the same.

Parisian foodies will nod and smile and confess that they have no idea why the Secret Dinner trend hasn't quite taken hold in their city. It might be partly because when you do a search on the internet under Paris Secret Dinners this huge article of a catacomb tribe who held seances (not really, much tamer than that, but it's fun to spread these blasphemous rumors, isn't it!?) in the secret tunnels below the Trocadero surfaces.

In Paris there are a few who are carrying on the UK tradition of Secret Dinners and Secret Lunches. One goes by the name New Friends Table and another by the name Miss Lunch. Neither wanted their photos published or even too much written about them, given that it's all, well, you know, Secret!

The concept is a good one for travelers or transplants to a new city. Anyone can eat out at a restaurant, but how often do you get the chance to be invited to someone's home where you can share a meal, meet other people, talk to locals, and generally get an authentic glimpse into how people live in a given city. Well, you might, if you have an old college roommate or a cousin living in a foreign city, but if you're off for a romantic weekend or on business overseas for a week, you likely won't get that opportunity.

As a single woman, it provoked some thought to agree to attend a Secret Dinner where an address isn't provided until a few hours before the start time and where you must swear to secrecy about the identity of the people putting on the dinner.

So when a Secret Picnic was alternately proposed, I felt confident that this was the better choice. Sunshine and spring weather on a Saturday afternoon in a Paris park is paradise on Earth. Add to that a picnic basket filled with some of the best delights Paris has to offer, in the form of cheeses, bread, wine, olives, chocolate, traiteur salads and cold dishes, and a couple of outrageously decadent desserts all delicately spread out on a colorful flower tablecloth on the grass and you've got yourself a Picnic a la gourmand...secret or not.

Sightseeing is tiring. And while shopping for cheese and wine can be fun, you might not know where to get the best stuff when you're in Paris for 72 hours. It's also time consuming to make the pilgrimages to the various arrondissements to gather the truly famous goods.

You have the option of either joining in on a Secret Picnic already planned or you can order your private picnic for two, as you desire. Now you'll just have to try to figure out who the Secret Picnic people are. Good LUCK!  Hint: they are not in the catacombs under the Trocadero.

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144 rue St. Honoré, Paris

By Paige Donner

There's a new sandwich shop in the shadow of the Louvre and it's called 144. Very catchy name considering it is at 144 rue St. Honoré. I half suspect that its young owner, Italian-French "Tony," is internet savvy enough to realize that this is the way to rank high in a mobile search. Name your shop the address. Simple.

 Well, it's good thinking, because on a hot, dusty summer afternoon after you have been traipsing through the priceless halls filled with magnificent artwork that is the Louvre, the last thing you want to do is scurry your way past all the souvenir shops on Rue Rivoli in hopes of finding an affordable place to rest your weary feet and quench your parched throat.

Just one street up from Rue Rivoli and close to Metro stop Palais Royale, 144 is the coffee shop-lunch café that serves up comfort not just in its decor but also in its choice of menu items. Want a bagel and cream cheese? (the real kind, the Kraft Philadelphia kind), you have come to the right place.

Want a slice of cheese cake? The NY kind. You can have it. There is also a small salad bar that you pay for by the gram. (A gram is sort of like an ounce but smaller - in case you're new to the European thing. Think of it like miles and kilometers. Or Fahrenheit and centigrade. Same thing just different.)

Also in the glass lunch counter are delicious Focaccia including a salmon and cream cheese with thin slices of red onions foccaccia that Tony or his staff will toast for you on the spot. There is also the California Bagel, cream cheese and avocado, the Miami Bagel and the Bagel 144.

It's not all American, however. There's also a good selection of Italian choices. And you can have cupcake or a cookie to go with it. Wash it all down with an Orangina, Smartwater or our favorite, Pulco, Les Recettes Citronnade. Very refreshing and no added sugar, coloring or preservatives.

Tony just opened up 144 rue St. Honoré mid April. So give a guy a break and go get your cupcake. Wi-Fi complimentary.

144 Rue St. Honoré, Paris 75001  M. Palais Royale or Louvre Rivoli

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Tesla and Jetsetter Present the Ultimate Green Weekend

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In honor of Earth Day, Tesla is partnering with luxury vacation company Jetsetter to offer thoroughly green luxury weekend getaways. Vacationers are invited to stay for a full weekend at one of three top-tier, eco-friendly hotels in North America: The Loden in Vancouver, The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, or the Bardessono in Napa Valley. During their stay, they will get total access to an electric Tesla Roadster for two days. This is the first time Tesla has offered an opportunity like this!

 

The weekend packages go on sale at noon EDT today, Earth Day, Friday, April 22 at http://www.jetsetter.com/tesla.

 

Jetsetter operates very similarly to Gilt Groupe. It’s an online community that provides members with insider access, expert knowledge and exclusive deals on the world’s greatest vacations. Sales are valid for a limited time only, and are first come first serve. Those who sign up with Jetsetter to take advantage of the Tesla deal will receive a $50 credit.

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Noma World's #1 Restaurant - Again!

Chef René Redzepi's Noma once again tops the Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurant list.

Take a look at this video interview to hear what he has to say about being named the Best Restaurant In The World, two years running.

[Video Link HERE]

And, in case you missed it, International Herald Tribune/ NY Times columnist Roger Cohen wrote a lyrical piece about Noma recently, foraging deep into the chef's local food philosophy.

ROGER COHEN ON NOMA IN THE NEW YORK TIMES.

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Paris's Best Cooking Schools For The Hungry Tourist

By Paige Donner

Read Complete Article on Black Book Magazine

Now that French Cuisine has been declared a World Cultural Heritage Listing by UNESCO, how could you dream of planning a trip to Paris and not penciling in time for an amateur cooking class? (Trust us: They're not all like the onion-chopping nightmare in Julie & Julia.) Here's a sampling of a few of the city's top kitchen destinations to consider on you next journey to the City of Light -- and Food.

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Ecole Ritz Escoffier - 15 Place Vendôme, 75001 
If you have a lunch hour to spend at a cooking school in Paris, Ecole Ritz Escoffier is your gig. First of all, it’s effortlessly easy to find, at 15 Place Vendôme. It’s posh, it’s excellent and the classes are given in both English and French.

Ecole Ritz Escoffier kitchens are located in the basement of Ritz Paris Vendôme Hotel, right next to the hotel’s working kitchens where they create all of the meals for the entire hotel. It is also, as legend goes, the inspiration for the kitchens seen in the celebrated Pixar film, Ratatouille.

But in spite of all the international outreach and friendliness (the school is also partnered with the Tokyo School, Vantana) it remains very much an iconic bastion of French Culinary Tradition. Executive Head Chef is the larger-than-life Michel Roth, the ninth Executive Chef the hotel has known in its 110 years of existence. His teaching team at the Escoffier Ecole is both accomplished and easygoing.

My class was scheduled for a Thursday afternoon from 1:00 – 2:00 pm. On the menu was:... Read Complete Article on Black Book Magazine.

 

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Grand Opening I love O Chateau, Paris

OUR NEW SPACE (and wine bar) JUST OPENED... What an exciting few months...      After 8 months of intense (and stressful) renovation (see photos here), we finally opened our new place. 300 square meters (3000+ sq ft) dedicated to drinking good wine - right in the center of Paris. Three tasting rooms and... new development... a wine bar. That's right!! But not just any wine bar: Paris' largest wine bar. Needless to say, it has been huge amounts of work. Still is. But working from such a beautiful and exciting space is a real treat. It is an honor to greet our clients in this new venue. Looking back at the very beginnings of O Chateau seven years ago, we realize that we've come a long way. We're still a tiny company, we still have the same passion but now, we have a great place. And this, we owe to each and every one of you. So at the time of opening our new place. Please, allow us to thank you for your support. We love doing what we do and we feel lucky to have such great clients and friends.  We hope to see you soon at O Chateau.   Cheers from beautiful (and sunny) Paris,  Olivier Magny and Nicolas Paradis - and all the team of O Chateau  Three Tasting Rooms... ... Each one with a different atmosphere. Each room can also be rented out for private parties or corporate functions. La Cave - beautiful 17th century vaults:  La Vinothèque - exclusive and cozy Le Salon - loungy, old cigar club vibe: Other pictures of the space available here. Address, reservations and opening hours  Ô Chateau 68, rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau - 1st arrdt Tel:+33 (0)1 44 73 97 80 www.o-chateau.com Métro stops: Louvre-Rivoli (line 1) or Etienne Marcel (line 4) We're a 6-min walk from the Louvre and a 2-min walk from beautiful rue Montorgueuil. The bar is open Mon to Sat 3pm to midnight (and until 2am on Fri & Sat - party time...).  No need to reserve to come to the bar. (Please note we only take reservations for groups of 6+ people). And of course... if you're dying for some wine before 3pm, you can always sign up to our Wine & Cheese Lunch at 12.15pm... 40 wines by the glass... Every single day...   During our tastings, we noticed our clients frequently asked us to taste "the really good stuff"... so we decided to make it happen. This is how the idea for our "Bar à Grands Vins" came about. Every day, at Ô Chateau, you'll have a chance to try legendary wines likes Château Pétrus, Château d'Yquem, Krug, Château Margaux and many others. Old vintages, small hard to get wineries, unknown wines... we have it all. The plan is to make your tasting experience at the bar one to remember. If you prefer to do bottles, no problem, we have over 500 wines in our wine list. All good stuff too!!   Wines we carry... The big names, we have. But wine is certainly not only about the big names. This is why we've worked on creating a truly exciting wine list. So here, a few names for you to buy at home, or to try, by the glass at Ô Chateau: François Chidaine, Mark Angeli, Seppi Landman, Mas Champart, Laurent Combier, Sylvie Spielmann, Mas Jullien, Château de Chavannes, Château de Fonsalette, Château de Romilhac, Domaine de Souch... There is a whole world of fantastic wines to discover at Ô Chateau.... Food served You can definitely come and spend an evening at Ô Chateau: we serve food. Beautiful cheese plates, charcuterie, homemade soups, high-end tapas, and yummy desserts.   Riedel Glasses Having the right glasses truly makes a difference. This is why we opted for nothing but the best for both our wine tastings classes - and for our wine bar. You'll find 15 different sorts of Riedel glasses at Ô Chateau. So get your taste buds ready!! Spread the word... If you've had a good time with O Chateau in the past and would like to help us with this crazy new venture, the best way to help us at this point is probably to spread the word. So if you have friends who like wine, friends planning a trip to Paris, friends living here, feel free to forward this email to them.  Merci d'avance!! (Karma karma). Free glass of  Champagne As a reward for people who read this newsletter until the end, we are happy to offer you a free glass of Champagne on your next visit to the brand new Ô Chateau wine bar. This offer is valid until May 30th - Just mention the password "Grand Opening I love O Chateau" to the person serving you on your next visit. Offer Expires: May 30th, 2011

Ô Chateau | 68, rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau | Paris | 75001 | France

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