Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Food and beverage’s best awarded at dinner

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, July 25, 2001 | 8:36 a.m.

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

Kurt Weinrich, assistant food and beverage director for the California Hotel and chairman of the Food and Beverage Directors Association of Nevada, had the recent pleasure of presiding over a most spectacular reception and dinner-dance event in the grand ballroom of Stardust. Opening with a two-hour, truly over-the-top cocktail party, the evening was the association's 10th annual awards evening.

Themed serving stations reflected the diversity of taste sensations offered by the Boyd Gaming hotel restaurants, serving buffalo prime rib and wild boar sausage, to the finest caviars and cheeses and the best sushi, medallions of lobster and stone crabs and a host of Mexican specialty dishes, and still more. At each turn the selection of beverages was fit accompaniment, be it Rising Sun saki cocktails at the sushi station or the ever-popular martinis poured through the eight-foot ice bar as dispensed by Ketel One vodka, even premium beers and the speciality brews from Main Street Station's own Brew Pub.

In this congenial atmosphere were the food and beverage executives, hotel leaders and industry suppliers on a rare evening break. These working heroes -- among them Bill Heiers, Mark Evensvold, Tim Vanselow, Tony Goitia, Tommy Lombardo, Ignacio Trillo, Alan Rosenthal, Ken Johnson, Gary Garnese and Lloyd Weitzel -- turned out in support of the evening, which funds academic scholarships for students enrolled in food service and hospitality programs at Las Vegas' higher education institutions.

Dinner, elegantly presented at tables adorned in dramatic black-and-white linens and tall crystal spires holding white orchids, was a superbly prepared meal, leisurely paced to allow guests the rare chance to interact with their working peers. Glimpsed table-hopping between courses was Chef Ed Kane, Patti Shock, Bob Vannucci of the Riviera with his wife, Nancy, Becky Wyatt and Aureole Executive Chef Joe Romano and his wife and fellow Chef Megan Romano, as well as Linda Smith, Allen Asch, Jeff Sudgen, Dale Davidson, Jeanne Lozito and Melissa Fields.

Weinrich, coordinating the evening's program, led the recognition awards honoring Dr. Stuart Mann, UNLV Dean of the William Harrah College of Hotel Administration, who received the Auturi Award. In the spotlight as well was Charlie Palmer, chef-owner of Aureole at Mandalay Bay and Charlie Palmer Steak at Four Seasons (as well as three New York City restaurants) who was awarded the Culinary Achievement Award. Included in the program as well were accolades for overall efforts by the association membership who generously volunteer for Chefs for Kids nutrition program at our community's at-risk schools, as well as their monthlong commitment to provide tasty refreshments at Opportunity Village's Magical Forest holiday event.

Chamber luncheon

The recent general membership luncheon of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce was an occasion to focus on the efforts of the Nevada Museums, Library and Arts Foundation. Sponsors for the well-attended function at Stardust, the foundation ringed the enormous ballroom with photographic displays of Nevada's historic mining camps and other vanishing scenes from our state's rich history.

Entering guests were met by Cleda Burney of the Nevada State Museum, who wore a historic ensemble from the 1800s, on loan from the Marjorie Russell Clothing and Textile Center in Carson City. Rustic centerpieces were galvanized tin buckets filled with sunflowers and a scattering of railroad spikes provided by Greg Corbin of the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City.

At the host table was foundation president I.R. Ashelman with board secretary Marydean Martin, as well as board trustees Bob Stoldal and Nancy Allf. Present as well were Shiril Naegle, director of the Nevada State Museum in Las Vegas, and foundation Director Beverly Carlino Banta and guest Andrea Boggs. Nearby were supporters including Boulder City Mayor Bob Ferraro, Steve Schorr and Linda Kendell of Cox Communications, Dennis Stein, Bob Bailey, Sylvia Mills and former Sen. Richard Bryan.

Luncheon highlights included an informative talk by Gov. Kenny Guinn and honors to Ruth Urban as the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce's Distinguished Leader award recipient. Also recognized was Lou Emmert of Sprint (Patron award) and Connie Ross of the Imperial Palace (Circle of Excellence). Listening attentively to the program were Sidra Kain, Dennis Morgan, Bob Forbuss, Andy Urban, Milton Schwartz, Jack Woodcock and Tim and Sherry Quillin.

Business retreat

Business Watch Network (BWN) is a county-wide coalition of business and government leaders with the mission of helping reduce crime and improve the economic climate of our community. Recently BWN president Judy Robinson hosted a half-day retreat at her Paradise Valley home for the executive board. Assisted by BWN executive director Carolyn Muse Grant, she led a series of presentations and break-out sessions. Judy's sister, Kay McCain, a gifted cook and caterer, provided a delectable array of refreshments, followed by a formal dinner.

Members attending included Paul Workman, Steve LeMond, Carrol Noonan, Paula Brown, Marian Thomas and Marc Weiswasser. Present as well was new board member Linda Fetters of Nevada Blood Services, joined by management consultant Virginia Hardman. BWN will host its next luncheon at Palace Station on Aug. 22 with details by calling 889-1673.