INGLENOOK AND CHEF JEAN-GEORGES VONGERICHTEN
KICK OFF BELLAGIO’S 2013 EPICUREAN EPICENTER SERIES
Historic California Wine Estate and Celebrated Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten will come together in Las Vegas at Bellagio’s Tuscany Kitchen Saturday, January 26
Heralded as the home of a wide range of award-winning dining experiences including two AAA Five Diamond restaurants, Julian Serrano’s Picasso and Le Cirque from the renowned Maccioni family, Bellagio’s 2013 Epicurean Epicenter series continues its tradition of innovative and immersive experiences. On Saturday, Jan. 26, guests can taste five wines from the legendary Inglenook estate, paired with the critically acclaimed cuisine of James Beard award-winning chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten of Bellagio’s Prime Steakhouse.
Tickets priced at $350 per person, all-inclusive, and available for purchase online at Bellagio’s Epicurean Epicenter webpage or by calling Bellagio Concierge at 866-406-7117.
Chef Vongerichten will prepare a four-course masterpiece in Tuscany Kitchen, a signature element to all Epicurean Epicenter events. Moments after watching each course prepared right before their eyes, guests will savor Vongerichten’s menu along with Inglenook wines, as paired by Managing Director Philippe Bascaules, Owner Francis Ford Coppola and Bellagio’s Director of Wine Jason Smith.
“For Bellagio’s Epicurean Epicenter, we strive to deliver extraordinary culinary experiences pairing our world-renowned chefs with the world’s finest winemakers,” said Ana Marie Mormando, vice president of Food & Beverage at Bellagio. “At our inaugural event for the 2013 season, we’re proud to offer our guests the unique opportunity to savor the wines of Inglenook, one of America’s pioneering great wines estates.”
Celebrity Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten said, “Opening the 2013 Epicurean Epicenter at Bellagio is a privilege and the exclusive menu that I create will be truly memorable. The flavor profiles will pair eloquently with the Inglenook wines, an estate I am honored to partner with for this event. I am confident this will be one unforgettable evening and once again, only an experience Bellagio can provide its guests.”
Throughout the 133-year history of the estate, Inglenook has flourished under the ownership of three important custodians: Gustave Niebaum, John Daniel Junior and Francis Ford Coppola. Niebaum laid the ambitious and insightful foundations for the estate, claiming that no expense would be spared in his quest to produce wines that would “equal of any in the world.” His successor, John Daniel Junior, achieved just that and his 1941 Inglenook is still considered one of the best Cabernet Sauvignons ever produced. In 1975, the Coppola family was able to buy their first part of the Inglenook estate, which had fallen into a decade of decline. This was the beginning of a 38-year project that would see them tirelessly piece together and restore the historical estate to its former glory.
Bellagio Director of Wine and Master Sommelier Jason Smith said, “The 2009 wines we will serve at the Inglenook dinner are the first wines to be released from the property under the Inglenook name since 1964. As Bellagio continues to be the industry leader in wine education, it is essential that we provide our guests with a platform to further their knowledge through these rare and exclusive moments; the exact foundation on which Epicurean Epicenter is structured.”
In 2011, Philippe Bascaules was appointed as Managing Director of Inglenook. His 21 year experience of making First Growth Bordeaux makes him the ideal person to continue Niebaum’s legacy. 2011 also marked another important milestone in the Inglenook story, as they succeeded in obtaining the rights to use the Inglenook name once again. For more information on Inglenook, visit online at http://www.inglenook.com/flash.php.
About Tuscany Kitchen
The 1,170-square-foot Tuscany Kitchen serves as the set for most Epicurean Epicenter events. This state-of-the-art demo kitchen is outfitted with top-of-the-line Viking equipment and the latest technology. Three cameras, positioned above the prep stations and stove tops, capture shots of the chefs at work and broadcast them over 60-inch plasma screens mounted above the cooking area for easy viewing. This, paired with the opportunity to interact with Bellagio’s unparalleled culinary talent, creates an environment unlike any other for total immersion in the fine dining experience.
About Bellagio
Inspired by the beautiful villages of Europe, the AAA Five Diamond Bellagio overlooks a Mediterranean-blue, eight-acre lake, where fountains perform a magnificent aquatic ballet choreographed to music and lights. Within Bellagio are award-winning dining experiences including two AAA Five Diamond restaurants, Julian Serrano’s Picasso and Le Cirque from the renowned Maccioni family. The resort’s retail promenade, Via Bellagio, includes the luxury shops of Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Prada, Fred Leighton, Chanel, Dior and Fendi. A world-class art gallery, the exquisite Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, the stunning “O” by Cirque du Soleil®, a luxurious spa and salon and an elegant casino all add to the extraordinary Bellagio experience. Bellagio is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM Resorts International™. For more information and reservations, visit www.bellagio.com or call toll free at (888) 987-6667.
