Columnist Muriel Stevens: Lanni, Ruvo to receive Epicurean Club honor

Friday, Nov. 15, 2002 | 9:29 a.m.

Muriel Stevens' dining column appears Fridays. Her shopping and travel columns appear Wednesday. Reach her at (702) 259-4080 or muriel@lasvegassun.com.

On Dec. 6 at the MGM Grand Conference Center the Epicurean Club of Nevada will honor MGM MIRAGE CEO and Chairman of the Board Terry Lanni and Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada Senior Managing Director Larry Ruvo. They are the Epicurean Club's first honorees.

The Epicurean Club came about in March 2001 when Rino Armeni, Executive Marketing Director for Southern Wine & Spirits, met with six hotel vice presidents of food and beverage to discuss the continuing need for high-caliber hospitality people. What could they, as high-level professionals in the field do to help fill the void?

At a dinner meeting with many more VP's of food and beverage as well as multi-unit general managers further discussions took place. By the end of that evening the Epicurean Club was born.

Ask Rino Armeni, president of the Epicurean Club, about the group and his response is, "We are a very simple organization."

Maybe so, but its mission is not so simple and requires a good amount of money.

"Our mission is the education of high school seniors who have expressed a desire to pursue a career as a hospitality industry professional," Armeni said. "In addition we would ourselves become a body of equality and camaraderie dedicated to reaching our goals. This was most important.

"We plan to interview the student candidates and choose four each year. Financial need and grade-point average will be major considerations. The students can attend the hotel college of their choice. We're committed to giving them $10,000 per year for four years. They have to earn it, though, with good grades, good behavior, community involvement and excellent work ethic."

At the end of college, the two students with the best work ethic and highest grade-point average will be sent to Europe to work in a top kitchen, thanks to their Epicurean Club benefactors.

"In the summer we'll see that they have jobs and are exposed to every facet of the hotel business," Armeni said.

Certainly the two men chosen to be honored at the Dec. 6 dinner could have filled these requirements. Said Armeni, "We are celebrating their lives as parents, friends and contributors to many causes. And as two human beings who personify good parenthood, friendship and dedication to the community."

Tickets are $300 per person. Included are a reception and dinner prepared by chefs Michael Mina (NOBHILL and Aqua), Alessandro Stratta (Renoir), Tom Colicchio (CraftSteak) and pastry chefs Jean-Philippe Maury (Belaggio) and Jean-Claude Canestrier (Paris). At the reception guests will have passed hors d'oeuvres -- confit of duck and sweet black rice, Yukon Gold potatoes with Kalamata olive and fenugreek-shallot jam and smoked trout. Pearl, NOBHILL and CraftSteak restaurants will have stations offering an outstanding selection of appetizers.

A four-course dinner will follow: terrine of alderwood smoked salmon, guarijo squash ravioli with candied chestnuts, salmis of duck and Concord grapes and roasted sirloin and braised beef short ribs. Dessert will be a composition of golden pineapple and roasted candied sorbet.

Entertainment is scheduled, too, by Spirit of the Dance and Andre-Philippe Gagnon. For tickets call Sabrina Martinez -- 248-3321.

Short orders

Adele's owners retire: The announcement that Adele and Paul Abowd would retire Adele's restaurant in Reno is the end of a lovely era. Paul and Adele closed the doors to the Reno location Oct. 28, 11 years after it opened.

It's been a good run for the devoted couple, who have been married 52 years. Their story would make a terrific TV series. They could probably spin some good yarns, too, about the Carson City crowd.

Adele's was always the hottest ticket in town when the legislators were in session. Adele's in Carson City is still family-owned and operated by the Abowd's oldest son Charlie and his wife, Karen.

"Charlie has surpassed me in some areas," Paul Abowd said. "He shows the same energy and is never satisfied because he always feels it can be done better."

Adele and Paul Abowd retired themselves along with the restaurant and will finally have leisure time to devote to each other and to their family. This should please their five grandkids. A great grandchild is expected soon.

Borders Books joins Ethel M: With new partner Borders Books on board, Ethel M's literacy program, Feed Your Mind, is sweeter than ever. The companies are joining forces on a book drive that will assist in building in-home libraries for students as well as providing new books for elementery-level schools. Friday through Dec. 15 contributors can drop off new or "gently used" children's books at any Borders Books locations.

These books will be donated to Kids-to-Kids and Clark County Reads. While at the bookstore register at the Feed Your Mind table for an opportunity to win an Ethel M Chocolates holiday gift basket valued at more than $150.

At Ethel M Chocolates the Feed Your Mind program continues through Dec. 31. One dollar from sales of the 16-ounce Deluxe Assortment will be given to the two reading programs.

New holiday baskets from Frieda's: Frieda's, "The Specialty Produce People," has added four new holiday baskets to its line of gift baskets (I'm a fan of the wild mushroom basket). Included are a Sweet Sampler ($53) with treats from around the world; Fruit Lover's Mix ($44) featuring a tropical assortment of Golden Sunrise papayas, baby Hawaiian pineapples and more; Frieda's Snack Pack ($41), snack selections, including dried fruits and nuts; and a Munch & Crunch ($60) basket packed with seasonal fruits and nuts and more. Call (800) 241-1771 or visit online to order or receive additional info.

LaSalsa Cantina: Check out LaSalsa Cantina at Desert Passage at the Aladdin, downtown at Neonopolis and at 4500 Sunset Road in Henderson. The well-priced sizzling platters range from $8.95 to $19.95. Shrimp, chicken and steak fajitas and many other choices. The frozen margarita pies and "Nuttin Better Than Brownies and Ice Cream," are available for takeout.