Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Hospitality honchos treated to tours, treats

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, April 4, 2001 | 8:14 a.m.

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

We can be justly proud of Las Vegas and its stellar record for innovation in the hospitality industry. Last week worldwide industry leaders in travel, hospitality, entertainment, food, gaming and tourism, in recognition of this elevated level, converged on our city for the first annual Millennium Hospitality Summit.

Host properties included the Bellagio, Venetian, Rio and MGM Grand. Delegates were given exclusive back-of-the-house tours of the mega-resorts, just part of the four-day conference offerings arranged by Mark Birtha, convention services and catering manager for the Venetian, who served as chairman of the summit. Presenters representing the best of Las Vegas included Terry Lanni (MGM MIRAGE), Gary Loveman (Harrah's Entertainment), Brad Stone (Las Vegas Sands Corporate/Venetian), Richard Goeglein (Aladdin) and Arte Nathan (Unifi).

Certainly the jewel in the crown for after-hours entertainment during the summit was the sumptuous dinner hosted by Wolfgang Puck at Postrio in the Venetian. Fresh from his over-the-top success at his Oscar gala, the celebrated chef worked with his Las Vegas staff to present his finest efforts for the Cornell University School of Hotel Management alumni and faculty, among them Thomas Pedulla, Philip Rowe and Leon Borenstein. A decidedly elegant occasion, the dinner in Postrio's private dining room was spectacular.

Cosseted by a squadron of soliticious servers, the evening began with a generous round of Puck's delectable appetizers, a marvelous hint at the pleasures to come during the five-course meal and the accompanying wines and cognac.

Making his way to each table during the leisurely course of the evening, Puck further endeared himself to attending guests by personally signing and presenting copies of his newest cookbook, "Wolfgang Puck's Pizza, Pasta and More," for each attendee. With him as he accepted a bouquet of compliments on both his menu selections and the beauty of the Postrio dining room, was Managing Partner Tom Kaplan, who is credited in the new book's dedication pages.

Gaughans honored

The community of Bishop Gorman High School is a richly diverse one, with members drawn together in a common goal of support for Southern Nevada's only Catholic high school.

Recently Paula and Michael Gaughan were recognized by the school during its annual Knight of the Gael dinner, joining past honorees as members of the select Royal Order of the Gael, a designation given to individuals of exemplary service to the school. The Gaughans, part of a remarkable family of gaming pioneers who have been frequently recognized for their philanthropic endeavors, smiled with pride when speaking of their four children's successful years at the school and their hopes for their grandchildren's future attendance.

Phyllis and Jack Binion, Robert Sparks, Craig Eddins, Dr. Jerry and Judy Sylvain with son Dr. Mark Sylvain, and Judges Bill Jansen and Tony Abbatangelo were among the arrivals clustered around the Gaughans to extend their best wishes. Ray and Charlene Vega, part of the dinner committee, arrived with their guests, Kim and Jerry Sennes, Gail and Will Balello and daughter Christy, a Bishop Gorman High School graduate who completed her business degree at St. Mary's University in Moraga, Calif., and now manages Casa Vega, the family's flagship restaurant in Sherman Oaks, Calif.

The cocktail reception gave the evening a high-spirited starting point as friends met and mingled, among them Domingo Cambeiro, Connie and Dave Macauley, Buffie Kerestesi, Rossi Ralenkotter, Mary Hausch with husband state Sen. Bob Coffin and Linda Leavitt, as well as Denise and Tim Cashman, Delise and Blake Sartini, Dr. Charles and Barbara Ruggeroli and Becky Behnen with her son, Benny Binion Behnen.

Past honorees, later recognized during the program, included Jackie Gaughan, father of Michael Gaughan, who was instrumental in raising the funds necessary for the building of the school in the 1950s, as well as Frank and Vicki Fertitta, who once again played generous hosts to the event at Palace Station.

Others in the crowd who have also been elevated to Royal Order of the Gael included Maryanna Herbst, Joan Tuntland, Rene and John O'Reilly, J.A. Tiberti with wife Corinne, Sandy and Bob Miller, Maria and Ted Quirk, George Gerringer and past Viatorian principals Reverend Fathers Charles Bolser, Richard Rinn and Edward Anderson. A tradition since 1983, the dinner serves as the major fund-raiser for the school's extensive scholarship program.

School fashions

Evidence of the esteem with which families and friends hold the educational programs offered at Faith Lutheran Jr./Sr. High School was shown during its annual fashion event at Palace Station.

The sold-out afternoon began with music provided by the students of the school, including vocal soloist Elise Black, daughter of Wendy and Gary Black. The Fit & Fashion event was chaired by Vicki Quinn whose son, Steven, a physically challenged student, is part of the 760 student body members of Faith Lutheran.

Quinn, who has chaired the family friendly luncheon for the past two years, reports next year's enrollment is more than 900, a delightful circumstance for proud principal Kevin Dunning and his faculty.

Working hard to make the fund-raiser a success were committee members Kerri Borman, Denise Harrison, Julie Jones, Cythnia Portaro, Jean Buffalo, Joan Lofgren and Wendy Black, joined by Shari Meier, Barbara Moore, Stephanie Hauser and Dale Dudley. More than five dozen students were recruited as models and introduced with a short profile of their studies and future aspirations, among them Jordon Spoon, Sasha Dowd, Brandi Pope, Stephany Somers, Antonia Barrett, Victoria Black, Summer DeHart and Stephanie Jaramillo. Making note of the fashions most enjoyed by their children and friends were guests Peggy Grove, Colleen Wadhams, Monica Guinn, Delise Sartini, Elise Koerwitz and Monica Futryk.

Proceeds from the afternoon will provide equipment for the school's science department as part of the You Gotta Have Faith campaign, a newly unveiled endeavor, with a $5 million goal over the next three years for a scholarship endowment and construction of a student center/cafeteria building. Faith Lutheran was established in 1978 and is a private Christian school serving students in grades six through 12. Its 45-acre campus is in Summerlin.

Upcoming events

Arts events abound in April beginning on April 14 with a benefit gala for the American Dance Company at Paris Las Vegas. As explained by founder Linda deBecker Shoemaker, the gala will honor restaurateur Chef Andre Rochat, of Andre's French Restaurant, and longtime dance Las Vegas instructor Elise Vallet. Central to the evening's enjoyment will be special performances by the ADC and French singer Zizi Barnier.

In its sixth year, ADC performs both classical and contemporary ballet throughout the community. Tickets for the dinner gala are $125 per person, with reservations and details by calling 735-9181.

Also on the horizon is the Joe Williams Memorial Scholarship Fundraising Concert, at the delightful Blue Note Jazz Club in the Desert Passage mall at the Aladdin. Slated for 3 p.m. on April 29, this most-treasured event will feature Jack Jones with musical director Vincent Falcone, and special guests Marlena Shaw with musical director Johnny Pate and the Community College of Southern Nevada All-Star Big Band under the direction of Dr. Tom Ferguson. Onstage, as master of ceremonies, will be Pete Barbutti.

Advance tickets are $30 and are available by calling 651-LIVE.