KELLER AND HEADLINER EVERCLEAR FOR M.E.N.U.S. EVENT, FRIDAY,
OCT. 13, HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO
The Epicurean Charitable Foundation (ECF) announces Chef Hubert Keller as its honoree and Everclear as the headliner for the upcoming Mentoring and Educating Nevada’s Upcoming Students (M.E.N.U.S.) event, its largest annual fundraiser, to be held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s Paradise Pool on Friday, Oct. 13, from 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. Showcasing more than 50 of Las Vegas’ top restaurants, chefs, mixologists and beverage distributors, the event supports ECF’s mission of providing full college scholarships and mentorship opportunities to gifted, but underprivileged, Clark County high school seniors who are passionate about pursuing a career in the food, beverage and hospitality industry.
This year’s event will feature a dine-around, tempting silent auction and memorable after-party—all complemented by Cuban flavors, cigars, dancing and beverages. Guests are encouraged to don their finest Havana-chic attire.
More than any other area charity focused on student academic and career development, ECF provides valuable personal connections and one-on-one support to its scholarship recipients. They receive not only up to $48,000 toward tuition, books and other fees, but also participation in the Future Leaders of Hospitality Program. In this program, each student is paired with a board member, who serves as a mentor and provides real-life guidance, support and assistance with job and internship placement upon graduation. Past ECF scholars have gone on to careers such as director of hotel operations at Caesars Palace, director of financial planning and analysis for New York-New York Hotel and casino and hotel administrative manager at The Venetian.
“Once again, we look forward to giving the industry and the community an exciting reason to support these deserving students,” said Michael Kennedy, board chairman, ECF. “For one night each year, M.E.N.U.S. guests can enjoy not only the best of our city’s culinary scene, but also a chance to honor our most esteemed industry leaders—as well as rousing entertainment. We look forward to this year being our most memorable yet.”
About Hubert Keller
Classically trained by France’s top chefs, Frenchman Hubert Keller is now one of America’s most widely recognized and acclaimed chefs. His empire includes restaurants: Fleur by Hubert Keller (Las Vegas) and Burger Bar (Las Vegas, San Francisco).
Chef Keller has won numerous awards, including the James Beard Foundation’s “Best Chef: California and has been elected to the Foundation’s prestigious Who’s Who in Food and Beverage. Food and Wine magazine tapped him as one of the Ten Best Chefs in America, and Restaurant & Institutions gave him its Ivy Award.
Chef Keller is also known for his performance as a judge on Top Chef as well as for his grace-under-pressure performance as a contestant in the first season of Top Chef Masters on Bravo. Chef Keller was as well a resident judge on Top Chef Just Desserts. Chef Keller’s own cooking show, Secrets of a Chef, airs on PBS. Chef Keller is also known for his generosity and support for a wide range of educational, charity and community events around the country.
Cookbooks include “Cuisine of Hubert Keller,” “Burger Bar” and “Souvenirs – Memoirs, Stories and Recipes from My Life.”
About Everclear
Everclear was formed by lead vocalist and guitarist Art Alexakis in 1991 in Portland, Oregon, and has enjoyed a lengthy career spanning 10 studio releases, numerous videos, thousands of shows and accolades that include a 1998 Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental, for the So Much for the Afterglow track “El Distorto de Melodica.” That album, which earned multiplatinum status following its 1997 debut, earned the band a reputation for deftness at combining melody, rhythmic energy, evocative lyrics with a thundering guitar crunch. Other current band members include Davey French on guitar and vocals, Freddy Herrera on bass and vocals and Jake Margolis on drums.
M.E.N.U.S. Sponsors
Sponsors for this year’s M.E.N.U.S. event include Platinum Sponsor Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits; Gold Sponsors Anheuser-Busch, Breakthru Beverage, E.&J. Gallo Winery, Fiji Water and Johnson Brothers Liquor Company; Silver Sponsors Nevada Beverage and Emeril Lagasse Foundation; Bronze Sponsors Caesars Entertainment, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, JS Products, Modelo, Pepsico, Silver Lining Amenities International, South Point Hotel, State Restaurant Equipment Co., Steelite International and Sunbay Supplies LLC.
To Purchase Tickets
Attendance at this year’s M.E.N.U.S. event starts at $500 for a single ticket, with multi-ticket sponsorship packages available. For sponsorship details or more information about M.E.N.U.S. 2017, click here or call (702) 932-5098.
