Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Lanni, Ruvo prove their mettle for Epicurean Club

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002 | 8:29 a.m.

Formed a mere 18 months ago by six food and beverage executives, the Epicurean Club has grown to a membership of 29 who share a mission to capitalize on the potential of local youth by providing them with educational opportunities and practical experiences as they pursue careers in the hospitality industry.

The club's recent scholarship dinner honored J. Terrence Lanni, chairman of the board of MGM MIRAGE, and Larry Ruvo, senior managing partner of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada.

These men, both well-recognized for their leadership, generosity and personal committment to the youth of the community, are fitting leaders. Conceived by a dinner committee led by organization president Rino Armeni with guidance from Sandy Peltyn as well as committee members Tobias Mattsdedt, Sabrina Martinez and Michael Severino, the affair was truly splendid.

Held on the spacious third floor of the massive MGM Conference Center, the welcoming reception was an epicurean adventure in itself.

Serving stations offered delicacies from select MGM restaurants, including NOBHILL, Pearl and CraftSteak. Appetizers were offered by white-gloved wait staff while fine wines, champagnes and premium liquors were served by master mixologists Livio Lauro and Francesco Lafranconi.

The honorees and their wives -- Camille Ruvo and Debbie Lanni -- were congratulated by arriving guests, including Lloyd Wentzell and Douglas Hardy of the Riviera, Gregg Weiler and Tim Searcy of Bally's-Paris Las Vegas, Kurt and Janis Weinrich of Opportunity Village, Janet and Andy Blumen of F.I.T. (Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow), community leaders Jack and Nancy Weinstein, Bill Hiers of the Tropicana, developers Bill and Susan Walters, and Tony Goitia and Bob Fowler of Southern Wine & Spirits.

Glimpsed in the crowd at the amazingly successful first event (there were more than 700 confirmed guests) were Amy Hardy, Brian McMullan, Nancy Arrington, Roger Peltyn, Joyce Sherman, Brian Buckley, Cathi Poer Smith with Doug Subrdiesk, Dr. J. Parker "Curly" and Claire Kurlinski and Tony Cordasco with Kevin and Stella Walsh, all of Red Bull of North America.

A well-orchestrated program led off the gourmet dinner and reminded guests of the significant scholarship and training opportunities the evening would provide to local youths seeking hospitality careers. Cathy Ray and John Daly shared emcee duties including behind-the-scenes interviews with the masterful chefs and sommelier Ira Harmon.

Represented at the dinner were the culinary offerings of Bellagio and Paris Las Vegas as well as restaurants NOBHILL, CraftSteak, Renoir and Aqua.

Adding to the magic of the benefit evening were performances by Andre-Philippe Gagnon (now appearing at Paris Las Vegas) and "Spirit of the Dance" (from Golden Nugget).

Wielding influence

In Business Las Vegas, the weekly business newspaper owned by Greenspun Media Group (which owns the Las Vegas Sun), hosted its third Most Influential Men of Southern Nevada ceremonies at Olio! in the MGM Grand last week.

The posh reception drew leaders from every sector of business, among them surgeon Dr. Ikram Khan, Jay Kornmayer, Don Snyder, Phil Peckman and Ira David Sternberg as well as George McCabe, Tom Schoeman, Brenda Haynes, Terri Maruca, Mary Kay Cashman and Bonnie Martin. Recognized among the attendees was Rep. Shelley Berkley.

An undertaking of some magnitude, the profiles of the 18 honorees are woven into a special supplement to the current issue of In Business Las Vegas.

Opening the awards presentation were Phil Cooper and Bruce Spotleson, who turned over the podium to platinum sponsors Andy Katz of Manpower and Kit Graski of Voit Commercial Brokerage, who introduced each of the Most Influential Men.

Recognized for 2002 were A. Allen Stipe (Sunrise Healthcare), Harvey Whittemore (Lionel, Sawyer and Collins), Robert "Tim" Snow (Thomas and Mack Development Company), Glenn Christenson (Station Casinos), Brad Friedmutter (Friedmutter Architect Group), James Murren (MGM MIRAGE), Frank Martin (Martin-Harris Group), Tom Warden (Howard Hughes), and Felix Rappaport (New York-New York).

Honored as well were Thom Reilly (Clark County manager), Cornelius Eason (Priority Staffing USA), Robert Hamrick (Caldwell Banker Premier Realty), Richard Fraim (KLAS Channel 8), Ed Guthrie (Opportunity Village), Steve Petruska (Pulte Homes/Del Webb), John Restrepo (Restrepo Consulting), Walt Higgins (Sierra Pacific Resources), and Steve Hill (Silver State Materials).

Nigro honored

Las Vegas gaming executive and developer Ed Nigro was recently recognized as Mensch of the Year by Congregation Ner Tamid during a special black-tie dinner held at Four Seasons.

Ira and Adrienne Miller served as event co-chairs, planning a delightful program with commentary by Rabbi Sanford Akselrad and temple President Dr. Stewart Blumenfeld, complimented by humorous stories from Sun Editor Brian Greenspun, Bill Weinberger and Jerry Gordon.

"It was easy selecting Ed as our first mensch honoree," Ira Miller said. "He encompasses all the traits that this Yiddish word means, such as good-hearted and caring, a person of character who is highly admired. In fact, Ed Nigro is one of the few non-Jews on our Wall of Honor, so recognized for his tremendous assistance in the building of our new sanctuary in 1995."

Following the speakers, dinner co-chairs Yvonne and Jerry Gordon and Art and Jayn Marshall presented Nigro with a beautiful, decorated yarmulke, handsewn by Yvonne Gordon for the occasion. Yvonne also created the centerpieces and other decorations used to adorn the ballroom for the evening.

Enjoying the fine Four Seasons dinner-dance were Mindy and Jim Watkins, Rhonda Glyman, Rabbi Jennifer Weiner and Cookie Olshein as well as Bernie and Candace Yuman, Selma and Troy Bartlett, Bill and Beth Weinberger, and Joyce Mack.

Others seen at the event included Bob Unger, Edythe and Gil Yarchever, Alfon LeBlanc and Alan and Toni Popowcer.

Lending their talents to create the celebration were committee members Jackie Rosen, Jack Bulavsky, Marla Letizia, Tony Schafer, Danny Herrera, Dr. Stewart and Sharna Blumenfeld as well as Geoffrey Schafler, Irv Duchowny and Susan Seutter.

Major contributors for the evening included Fleta and Leonard Goldstein, Andrew Molasky, Jonathan Sparer, Katrina Clark, Susan and Tony Childs and Robin and Danny Greenspun, joined by Louis Bradfield, Roney and Lou Buffman, Nora and Bruce James and the Floorfax Corporation.