Vegas Uncork’d: The Grand Tasting

Wow!!! Incredible disappointment!!! They were so unorganized and a lot of people were furious about the poor organization, absence of signs /​instructions to locate the correct entrance. At $ 225 per person, I expect better service!!! We arrived 45 minutes early and we still missed 25 minutes of the event because of the incredibly long line just to enter the event. On a good note, the food was tasty and the outdoor space was lovely. However, they need to limit the number of tickets sold because the crowds inside the event created long lines in front of each table… this was a night of standing in many, many lines for tiny morsels!

Not that the food was down right horrible but it was not all that good either. With that said for the price I would not think at all to do it again. We lined up two hours early because we were so excited. However once we started to eat the samples we realized that for us this was a mistake. The food was average at best. I only had one thing that was worth going back for seconds but by that time the line was about 20 mins and it was not worth it for one bite. The lines moved slow in the beginning and had a lot of pushing and bumping. Again it was not that the food was that bad as much as it was not that good, the cost is high when you consider eating a real meal, and the long lines just killed it. So for me I would not be going back. If you like the energy of being around that many people this is probably a great time. Personally I would rather a table and get to take my time. I only wrote the review because I had these concerns before going but with so many positive ones I thought I would be mistaken. We had talked to other couples who were equally disappointed and we were told that it had about 20% less people this year. However we did meet a young couple who went last year who was just as happy with it this year.

OK, I sense I may be the only person who thought this event wasn’t worth the money… but for me, $ 225pp is a lot of money, and I expect a lot for it. I’d have like to have seen nicer bites than overcooked burger sliders, skewers and meatballs. There were a few outstanding bites, but they were the exception… and there were far TOO MANY PEOPLE there. You couldn’t even move around. Not worth the $$$. Go to a nice restaurant instead.

Just unreal.
I’m a guy who uses groupon, Unilocal deals and
so to spend over $ 400 on a meal for myself and my date and believe it was worth every penny says a lot.
One of the best culinary experiences I’ve had.
The world’s best chefs coming together in one place.
Ate til I was in pain… had to sit in my car for 10 minutes before I could drive.
On my bucket list is the event in Aspen… maybe next year.

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Vegas Uncork’d by Bön Appetit Magazine is probably 1 of my favorite events for foodies (even I dislike it when others call me ‘foodies’); besides Aspen Food and Wine Festival. I haven’t missed it for the last 3 years.
If you want to stalking celebrity chefs, this is a great event to be here; the Grand Tasting event at Vegas Uncork’d is probably 1 of the best events on schedule, $ 225 per person you got to enjoy a staggering variety of signature dishes prepared by the world’s most celebrated chefs. The dramatic five-​acre Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis Caesars Palace will feature more than 50 award-​winning chefs and over 100 of the best wines and spirits from around the world.
Now that’s a STEAL! Everyone dressed up in style, the food and drink, all you can eat all evening long from 7 – 10 PM, beautiful weather, gorgeous pool, open spaces, many chefs that you’ve seen on TV such as: Hubert Keller, Gordon Ramsay, Fank Pellegrino, JR (Rao’s NYC & Vegas), Michel Richard (DC & Vegas), Francois Payard (NYC & Vegas), Bobby Flay (Vegas & NYC), Masaharu Morimoto, Jean-​Georges, Rick Moonen, Charlie Palmer, Mary Sue Miliken, Michael Mina, Todd English, Guy Savoy, Joel Robuchon, etc.
My suggestion to all is to bring extra flat/​comfort shoes, because after 2 hours on that 5 inches heels, you would feel it! I’m a pro, it didn’t bother me :-) but for my 2 friends, they surely didn’t like their shoes after the event! Oh, and there’s no chairs or place for you to sit, so if you don’t mind to sit on the stairs here and there, you should be fine; so no mini skirt/​dress!
Another tips, come early, so that you can get in earlier; don’t eat at the first few booths yet; walk around to get the feel; circle the booths/​chefs you want to see, then go from there. If you plan accordingly, you will have a great time.
Why it’s only 4 stars; some of the wines weren’t serve at the right temperature, that was just all wrong! Don’t expect these top chefs to stay longer than 8 PM, because they have another event to go to. However, all their executive resident chefs are still the ones cook all the food for you in Las Vegas; so don’t forget to be nice and get to know these chefs too!
Until 2014, Bön Appetit!

Well, let’s bring reviews of this event up to date. In 2013 the price tag for the Grand Tasting is now $ 225.00 pp. When you raise the price, expectations should go up. This was however our first time and overall it was worth it. However, the event is called UNCORK’D and I feel that the WINERIES didn’t all bring their A game and the restaurants and celebrity chefs did. This is a crowd that probably buys cases of wine at a time and with the exception of Bridlewood and a winery from Washington (forgot the name) the wines were just mediocre. The reds were not at the right temperature pretty much across the board. It’s Vegas in May and hot as hell. Why didn’t these wineries factor in some kind of cooling system for the reds. Warm red wine is not okay when you’ve paid $ 225.00 to walk in. Otherwise I would say that the ambiance was lovely and sexy. The pool at Caesar’s is a little over the top and a perfect backdrop for a decadent foodie event. Felt like I was in Roman times dining like a goddess. In my opinion the best resaturant/​chef tastings were not the always the celebrity offerings. It was a fun night and I would go again!

I’m cheap. If you read any review I’ve ever written price is always a factor for me. My ticket was $ 175 (no freebie here) and for me, it was totally worth it. When recounting the best foodie experience I’ve ever had, this is the first thing I refer to.
The Grand Tasting is held at Caesar’s at the pool and each chef sets up a booth… though the word «booth» hardly does justice to the ornate structures each restaurant/​chef designed to house the food. No detail is left unaccounted for from the presentation of the actual food, to the container used to display it.
For me, variety is the spice of life and I love being able to have little tastes of all different types of food. Every type of food is represented, and while everything wasn’t my favorite (how could that even be possible?), there were so many things that were absolutely divine.
The drinks are out of this world. The beautiful creations coming out of the bar area were delicious and just… fancy! You get unlimited drinks, and when you think about Vegas drink costs, this makes your ticket seem much more reasonable.
Some advice:
1. Get there as early as you possibly can. There is so much food you will not be able to get to it all or digest it all if you arrive late.
2. As hard as it may be, promise yourself to only eat PART of what they give you. I recommend having a partner to split everything with (try not to be wasteful). You will want to eat all of most things you try, BUT DON’T DO IT! You will be miserably full at the end of the night if you subscribe to my method, but if you try to eat the whole portions you will hate yourself for several days.
3. Get a map and take a pen. If you want to remember what you liked or didn’t like after the event, this may be the only way. Your brain will be overloaded with names and foods!
4. I have mixed feelings on trying to plot your route vs. going with the flow. I think a mix is good– find the areas where your favorite chefs are cooking, and make note to visit them while you’re in that section, preferably earlier in the night.
5. Make sure to find the armor-​clad entertainers or one of the many famous chefs walking around and take some photos with them. You can also visit the red carpet and get your photo there.
6. Finally, there is a lounge area where you may choose to rest for a bit, but laying down on a recliner is a dangerous move… you may not get back up.

When I tell people about this, I call it a «Bacchanalian». This was my first major food event, and I was very excited. The classical roman environment and non-​stop food and drink made me feel like a pampered aristocrat.
All the best restaurants were there promoting themselves, and they all brought their «A» game. It would be hard to pick a favorite, but Kat Cora’s muffaleta sliders were absolutely amazing! I could have eaten a dozen of them.
An interesting note, there was a New Amsterdam Gin booth, my personal favorite gin. I still have the little keychain flashlight.
There was just so much, it was all almost too much to handle! If there is another one next year, I am going no matter what!

At $ 175 per ticket, we didn’t know what to expect.
The Grand Tasting was held around the pool at Caesars. It was magical; great weather, well lit, and beautiful people. There was ample space for every major restaurant and liquor vendor. Each restaurant was represented by managers and chefs cooking small bites to sample. There were only a few restaurants we weren’t able to get to.
We were happy with the selection of liquor and wine vendors. We even discovered a new sake– sparkling blueberry. It was like grape soda, light and carbonated, but with a blueberry twist.
I’ve been to tastings in Az and LA and this one is the only one I’d go back to. Overall best food, gorgeous backdrop and fun crowd. It was the perfect start to M&G’s Vegas adventures.

Having paid $ 175 advanced on the tickets, I was hoping for a bit more than just pâté on a cracker. There was a nice variety of restaurants and a great diversity of food but it was extremely one sided as far as the crowd went.
And apparently we were one of the few couples that actually PAID for tickets since the participating casinos were passing out freebies to their high rollers with might explain some of the «characters» that were in attendance. I’m pretty sure ¼ of the women there were working the crowd which great for them, but a little bit of a dress code might have been advised.
It was a great way to experience really good food and restaurants we might want to try in the future and those we will def. never spend a $ 1.00 in.
My particular faves were Fleur de Lys, Mesa Grill (Bobby Flay has as many freckles as I do) and Craftsteak. I loved the Cru wine. and I need to find a bottle or 3.
Given the abundance of freebies (like EVERY person we talked to didn’t pay) we felt kind of sheepish to have forked over about $ 400.00 for this.
I don’t think we’ll go back again, even though it was fun and great surroundings.

Well… I was there the entire night and it was way too crowded. Honestly, if they had sold half the tickets it would have been magical. The pool setting was cool, but all the food booth areas were jammed making it impossible to enjoy the whole thing. There were some incredible tastings and the wine and bars were great with plenty of accessibility. There were however, a few food items that were awful. I am not going to mention the restaurants cuz I like the restaurants… their fare here just missed the mark. One in particular, from a much loved LV restaurant was a spit out item and I thought it might be me till I saw it going in the garbage alot. There were many that were extraordinary and sometimes quite generous. You def would not go home hungry from this. Chefs were available and celebratory so that was fun. Some worked their booths so it was fun seeing them bust their buns putting out food to the fawning masses. They seemed happy to take photo ops. Last year I thought they had better offerings in regard to classes and workshops. Cooking lunch with the Wynn chefs 2009 was the best foodie event of my life. We met a guy there who went to a few of the master dinners this year and he said they were fab… but he was not happy about the lines at this event. You had to elbow your way in to get food. Not my idea of a gourmet
gf’s from Maui lasted 15 minutes and busted out of the joint. I personally will never attend the grand tasting again, but will take advantage of the more individual events. Will review Joel R’s master brunch later. It was da bomb! If you love crowds this one is for you. Maybe we Hawaiians are mo betta less people :)

Vegas Uncorked — The Grand Tasting
At the price tag of 175.00 per head (advanced purchase) most people would run away. A tasting event for the price of a 12 course french meal with wine pairing would make you think twice until you saw the lineup planned by Bön Appetit at Caesars Palace’s pool in Las Vegas.
This was no ordinary ‘taste of’ event as seen in other cities that occupy fairgrounds. Caesars’ pools were setup for this private tasting event with over 100 restaurants, wineries, and shops exhibiting I picked up a wine glass at the door to get started.
Many of the restaurants had the creators, celebrity chefs, and head chefs preparing the food. Each booth had bite sized servings of one of a few of their dishes they wanted to show off. Everything was spectacular and even the worse dish was excellent.
At one point in the night there was a traffic jam causing some congestion making it a great time to step away to the lounge and relax with a glass of wine. The event was a total success, a true epicurean experience I walked out of there full, fat, happy, exhausted, and content!
Vegas Uncork’d Alphabetical Listing of Exhibitors
American Fish
Andre’s & Alize
ARIA Signature Sips
Arrowood Vineyards
Aureole
B & B Ristorante
Bar Masa
Barefoot Wine & Bubbly
Beijing Noodle
The Belgian Chocolate Company
BLT Burger
BOA/​Sushi Roku
Bön Appetit
Bonterra Organic Vineyards
Border Grill
Bradley Odgen
Café Martorano
Carnevino
Change Beer/​Mekhong
Château Montelena Winery
Château Ste Michelle
ChocoVine
Cima Collina
Cique du Soleil
Cork ReHarvest
The Country Club
Craftsteak
The Cupcakery
Diego
Don Sebastiani & Sons
Dos Caminos
Eiffel Tower
Fiji Waters
Fleur de Lys/​Burger Bar
Forever Resorts
Forum Shops at Caesars Palace
Giangrandi Gourmet
Ghost Pines
Hidden Legent Winery
Isla
Jean-​Georges Steakhouse
Jean Philippe Patisserie
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wine
Julian Serrano
Ketel One Vodka
Knork Flatware
LAVA/​Tao
L’Atelier Joel Robuchon/​Joel Robuchon
Lutus of Siam
Lula’s Chocolates
Marssa
Mercer’s Wine Ice Cream
Mesa Grill
Michael-​David Family of Wines
miX
Nero’s Steakhouse
New Amsterdam grill
Nob Hill
Nobu
Okada
Papapietro Perry Winery
Payard Patisserie & Bistro
Quady Winery
Rao’s
Restaurant Guy Savoy
Ridge Vineyards
Rich Moonen’s rm seafood
Rosemary’s
Sage
Santa Lucia Highlands Winegrowsers Association
Sea Harbor
Service Beverage Bar
Silkroad
Simon at Palms Place
Sirio Ristorante
Society Café
Soroma Cutrer
S. Pellegrino Sparkling Water
Stella Artois
Strip House
Stripsteak
Social House
SUSHISAMBA
Switch Steahouse
Tableau
Texas Pete Hot Sauce
TGIC Chilean Winery
TGIC Argentinean Winery
Three Square
Todd English P.U.B.
Travelocity
Tudor Wines
Union
Valentino
Vintner Grill
Vosges Haut-​Chocolate
Wazuzu
William Hill Estate Winery
Willamette Valley Vineyards
Wirtz: Paul Goerg
Wirtz: Barnett Vineyards
Wirtz: Zaca Mesa Winery * Vineyard
Wirtz: Rombauer Vineyards
Wirtz: Martinelli
Wirtz: Foley
Wirtz: Rudi-​Weist
Wirtz: Ginard
Wirtz: Miner
Wirtz: Silver Oak
Wirtz: Wirtz: ZD Wine
Wirtz: Jarvis
Wirtz: Frog’s Leap
Wirtz: Whitehall Lane
Wirtz: Foley
Wirtz: Felton Road
Wirtz: Schramseerg
Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill
Yangarra Estate Winery
Beautiful people, great food, wines, music, book signings by celebrity chefs.