Epicurean Affair served up at Caesars Palace

Tuesday, June 18, 2002 | 9:02 a.m.

Wednesday will be a gustatorial delight for diners with sensitive palates.

More than 70 of Las Vegas' finest restaurants will present samplings of their signature dishes along with fine wines during the 12th annual Epicurean Affair.

The poolside feast takes place at Caesars Palace's Garden of the Gods. The Epicurean Affair is being held on the first night of the 23rd annual Las Vegas International Hotel & Restaurant Show, which runs Wednesday and Thursday at Las Vegas Convention Center.

"The unique aspect of the Epicurean Affair is that people can taste dishes from the city's finest restaurants, all at one venue," said Van Heffner, president and CEO of the Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association and the Nevada Restaurant Association."

Last year about 2,000 people attended the gala. That number is expected to be exceeded this year. They also will get to sip more than 120 fine wines. Epicurean Affair was founded 12 years ago, at the first Governor's Conference on Travel and Tourism.

"Actually, it was an outgrowth of Culinary Capers, a food- and wine-tasting event which began in 1984," Heffner said. "Culinary Capers grew to such a level we decided to reformat it, make it much more upscale and add the entertainment dimension and a resort setting.

"The first Epicurean Affair was at the Las Vegas Hilton. That one was inside." Then it was decided to move the event poolside.

"This year's event will be the largest, best-attended, and (will have) the greatest number of restaurants and beverage offerings," Heffner said. "We also are adding a new entertainment dimension called Bar Alley, which will showcase some of (Las Vegas') headliner bars and entertainment rooms, like Shadow (Caesars), ghostbar (Palms) and Coyote Ugly (New York-New York)."

Heffner described the event as "a coming together of the entire town, from great local restaurants to the five-star award restaurants like Renoir at The Mirage."

together of the entire town, from great local restaurants to the five-star award restaurants like Renoir at The Mirage."

Participants include Black Mountain Grill, Ricardo's Mexican Restaurant and restaurants from Caesars Palace, Station Casinos, Aladdin, Bellagio and The Rio.

A silent auction benefiting the Nevada Hospitality Foundation will be held during the event. The foundation is the charitable and educational arm of the Nevada Restaurant Association and the Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association.

"There will be over 100 incredible packages and products, including nine or 10 trips to exotic places like Hawaii," Heffner said.

The foundation offers scholarships to students entering the hospitality industry. It also has training and certification programs.

The hospitality industry's two-day convention is expected to attract 6,000 attendees. There will be more than 400 exhibitors showcasing thousands of new products and services.

The show will feature exhibits ranging from the latest in security technology and energy-saving tools to state-of-the-art food equipment.

There will also be seminars featuring hospitality leaders from around the country discussing the state of the hotel and restaurant industry.

Heffner said that during the International Hospitality Awards Luncheon, awards will be presented to the nation's Hero and Heroine Award recipients who have demonstrated a selfless act of courage, to the Nevada Hotelier and Restaurateur of the Year and to the winner of the Lifetime Service Award.

The show also will feature several competitions, such as the Las Vegas Culinary Challenge, where young chefs compete for American Culinary Federation medals. Other competitive events will include menu design and a variety of housekeeping contests.