Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Decadence on display at Tropicana event

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, May 31, 2000 | 9:10 a.m.

Elizabeth Foyt's social column appears Wednesdays. Reach her at elizabethfoyt@prodigy.net.

Few events can match the over-the-top nature and sheer opulence of Friday's Food and Beverage Directors Association of Nevada's awards evening. By the very nature of their careers, these members coordinate the fantastic events, exquisite dinners, banquets, weddings and notable gatherings that consistently bedazzle conventioneers, visitors and locals alike at area resorts and restaurants.

Scott Ringwood, food and beverage director for the Tropicana hotel-casino and organizational president, created this superb evening at the Tropicana, opening the festivities with a two-hour reception, followed by an elaborate dinner and finally an after-dinner cigar, cognac and chocolate social in an adjoining ballroom at the hotel.

Bill Hiers, Tropicana vice president of food and beverage operations, and many of the resort's staff lent their special talents to the evening, which honored former mayor Jan Laverty Jones with the Autrui Award for being an outstanding Nevadan. Chef/restaurateur Gustav Mauler was also honored with a special recognition for culinary achievement. The awards, bestowed by this professional organization, illustrate their mission, which is to provide enrichment and education to those pursing a career in the food and beverage industry, including scholarship and education efforts on behalf of area students and the less fortunate.

In the throng of attendees were Eric and Tammy Weisberg, 1999 Chef of the Year Bob O'Brien of Circus Circus, Patti Shock, Tom Rosenberger and John Carlson, who recently became food and beverage director at the Reserve. Eddie Okita, whose clever robots made the sushi served at the reception, was accompanied by Jim Wilson and Koji Takiguchi, and later joined by Chef Ed Kane of Southern Nevada Vocational High School, Chuck Fedderson and Tony Goitia with Janice Skinner.

Many gravitated to the enormous carved-ice bar, where Keitel Vodka martinis where dispensed through serpentine channels for a perfect blend and chill. Gus Mosher attended with his bride, Karen, explaining details of their April 14 wedding to Ray Molina, Tim Bowen, Ron Cribbet, Lloyd Wentzel and Mike Steigman. Providing a personal cheering section for Mauler was his wife, Denise, her mother, Marcella Smith, with her friend, Dr. Andrew Dwyer, and Gustav's partners, Paul and Maryanne Steelman.

Enjoying the awards dinner was Gary Thompson, representing Harrah's Enterprises, as well as Hal and Anne Kaminske, Alaine Sckoropad, Bob Fowler, Randy Krueger, Ronnie and Andrew Klein and Chandra and Sandy Hackett.

Morton's moves

Seven years after their arrival in Las Vegas, Morton's the Steakhouse moved to a spacious new building at 400 East Flamingo Road, becoming the largest and most luxurious among the Morton's of Chicago chain. Celebrating this move offered the opportunity to show off the new boardrooms, larger dining areas and other amenities, all with a charitable intention as their re-opening served as a fund-raiser to benefit the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation. More than 450 guests enjoyed the strolling dinner party and cocktail reception, and in the process asssisted the children and families of children diganosed with critical or terminal illnesses. As reported by Daniel Hurst, general manager and maitre d', all proceeds from the private party were donated to NCCF for programs in Nevada.

Mingling in the well-served crowd were supporters including Phil Hernandez, Ron and Terri Sturn, Norm Jenkins, Chris and Suzanne Villariale and Robert Brinton, as well as Art and Sara Besser, Ronald Oseas, Harry Helmann and Jeff Gordon, who serves as executive director for the charity. Others enjoying a splendid time included Patricia Price-Martinelli, Kathryn and Vince Telles, Bryan and Kelly Gresh, Michale and Nina Mosses and Mark and Candy Massey.

Dali draws raves

The response, the visitor numbers, the glowing remarks and, above all, an increasing hunger for more artistic offerings of this caliber made the recent "Dali's Millennium" exhibition at the Las Vegas Art Museum a landmark occasion for the city. On the horizon now is "Asian Art Now: 2000," an equally impressive exhibition of contemporary art from Japan, Korea and Taiwan. On June 7 this new collection will open with a gala party at the museum, 9600 West Sahara Ave.

Sponsors include the Asian Cultural Exchange Association and the Japan America Society of Nevada. Tickets are $75 and include a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, musical entertainment and authentic cuisine prepared by Hamada of Japan. Contact the Las Vegas Art Museum at 360-8000 for gala reservations and other details. "Asian Art Now: 2000" will be on exhibit through July 9.

Super Summer

For 25 years Super Summer Theatre has served our community by providing live theater under the stars at Spring Mountain Ranch. Originally a project begun by the Junior League of Las Vegas, SST is a nonprofit organization run by a community board of volunteers with a host of advisory members to assist. Last week as it began the countdown to its 25th season, Super Summer Theatre hosted a reception at the Regency Towers. Longtime members Alice Rissman, Sue Linda Hill and Carol Gibbins welcomed guests and theatrical producers while Mary Gafford presided over the guest book.

Nearby, Sal and Cindy Garcia were among those perusing the scrapbooks from previous seasons, looking at photographs and playbills of both musicals and Shakespearean productions.

Present to meet board members was Pattie Emmett, director-producer of "Grease" and her stage manager, Jack Blankenship, who are in rehearsal for July performances. Greeted warmly as well was Phil Shelbourne, whose P.S. Production Company will open the season on June 7 with "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," and his assistant director, Leslie Fotheringham. Returning for another certain-to-be successful run this season is Betty Sullivan-Cleary who will bring "Fiddler on the Roof" to the stage during August.

Mingling with the producers and their staff were SST volunteers including Homer and Nick Rissman, Harry and Jeanie White, Dawn Merritt representing Sprint, Harold and Tish Smith, Jeanne Costa, Todd Harbach, Tony Campagna and Nell and Art Baker. Talking about an expanded menu for SST's snack bar and other details were Joe Urcioli, Ray Eicher, Joanne Blystone, Larry Spitler, Bobby Milelr and Paul Szigety. Call 594-7529 for details on times and tickets for this special anniversary season.