Elizabeth Foyt: Epicurean Club feeds college students’ needs

Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003 | 8:21 a.m.

"Fund-raiser" takes on a whole new definition when applied to the Epicurean Club, which threw a huge and successful party Friday at a Paris Las Vegas ballroom.

The club, an organization of local food and beverage executives and their supporters, presented "The Party of the Year" to fund hospitality industry scholarships.

Kendel Woodard, Sulie Heng, Angela Szewczyk and Kandice Flanary, the first recipients of the scholarships from last year's inaugural event, spoke of their studies in hotel administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Community College of Southern Nevada.

Each young woman has been awarded a four-year, $10,000-per-year scholarship. This year, with $280,000 raised, even more students will be added to this elite group, and once again be eligible for post-graduate studies with European chefs.

Flocking to the party were industry luminaries Bradley Ogden and wife Jodi, David Robins of Wolfgang Puck's Fine Dining with sweetheart Anna Cohen, Don Ross and Eric Weisberg of Bally's-Paris Las Vegas, and Ming See of Mayflower Cuisinier attending with Van Atkins.

Past honoree Larry Ruvo of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, who provided the fine wines for the gala, was seen with 2003 honoree Gov. Kenny Guinn and wife Dema, enjoying the early performance by Michael Flatley's "Lord of the Dance."

Chairman Rino Armeni was glimpsed in the crowd with Sandy Peltyn, who directed the silent auction, and her husband, Roger Peltyn, the happy purchaser of the romantic Hawaiian get-away during the live auction, led by Robin Leach.

Nearby with colleagues were Lloyd Wentzel, Tony Goitia, Bart Mahoney, Scott Farber, Brian Lerner, Carlos Collado, John Redmond, Felix Rappaport, Kelley Jones, Margaret and Tom Kurtz and Epicurean Club President Joe Essa.

Enjoying the reception and dinner with very delectable morsels prepared by a cadre of celebrity chefs were Chuck and Donna Ruthe, Drs. Ted and Parvin Modaber Jacobs, Kurt and Janis Weinrich, Andy and Janet Blumen, Dr. Bill Bossak, Wolfgang von Wiesner, John Bonds with Gail Krysteal, Lisa Le Tourneau and Tammy Weisberg.

Toy story

Toys for Tots, the annual toy drive conducted by U.S. Marines, received enough toys to fill a panel truck during Bucky and Gianna Buchanan's Christmas party Saturday night.

The party is a tradition with friends and members of the legal community. The Buchanan's guests included Roy and Diane Woofter, Mac and Frances MacDonald, Zoe Brown and Ray Clarke handing their gifts to Marine Sgts. Theodore Jones and Bret Frederick.

The Woofters, who have hosted an equally charitable evening for Help Them Walk Again at their home over the years, spoke with friends about the group's 15-year success in helping people recover from catastrophic accidents and stroke complications.

Spreading through the Buchanans' Sunrise Mountain home and out onto the patio with its panoramic views of the city were Judge Michael Cherry with Cheryl Kogan, Marc Rissman, Dr. Charles and Nancy Vinnik, Beverly and Mike Mykisen, John Bastian with wife Trish Williamson and daughter April, David Atwell, Ed Browning and Sherry Lombardi, newly appointed Academy director for the International Dance Education Academy.

Lasting to the wee hours, the party was catered by Barb and Dave Kent of Vegas Sands Ranch.

Agassi's friends

A stylish "friend-raising" party was hosted by Seablue at MGM Grand on behalf of the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation on Dec. 3.

The popular watering hole and fine eatery was filled to brimming with young movers and shakers, each invited to broaden their involvement with Agassi Prep -- the privately operated school begun by the Foundation for "at-promise" kids.

Tiffany Tiberti, Michelle Wells, Kari Wiesner Stockham, Sandra Marnell, Carla Massone, Denise Cashman and Annette Mohs were among the organizers of the mixer. On display were pictures and architectural expansion plans for Agassi Prep, as well as ideas for becoming involved.

Agassi, at home in Las Vegas with his wife and children during a restful break from the tennis circuit, attended with Perry Rogers, his friend and manager. Agassi, speaking informally, shared the school's mission of helping Las Vegas children reach their dreams through education.

Erin Bilbray-Kohn, now part of the Agassi Foundation team, has recently returned to Las Vegas after a dozen years in Washington, D.C., where her career included executive positions with the American Diabetes Foundation and National Oceanic and Astmospheric Administration. Bilbray-Kohn attended with her parents, former Rep. Jim and Mikey Bilbray, and sister Shannon. April Stewart, present at the invitation of Christine McNaught, was joined in discussion of the Agassi Foundation's work by Mercedes Warrick, Anne Kellogg, Amy Schmitt, Neil Huffey, Kim Rushton, Brian O'Reilly and Kathy and Ernie Becker.

Others lending their efforts to this delightful party were Stephanie Boixo, Julie Murray, K.C. Scherrer, Leigh Tutland, Lisa Cohler and Shannon McBeath, as well as Sallie Becker, Rosemarie Rogers, Emily Goodman, Lyndy Marnell and Kimberly Maxson-Ruston.