Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Annual fund-raiser draws healthy crowd

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, April 21, 2004 | 8:17 a.m.

Raising funds for scholarships never tasted sweeter than at Thursday's Epicurean Affair at Caesars Palace.

The annual presentation by the Nevada Restaurant and Nevada Hotel and Lodging associations, part of an acclaimed trade show and conference of hospitality experts from across the nation and world, drew an estimated 2,500 patrons to Caesars Palace's Garden of the Gods pool enclosure.

Previously held in late June, this year's event, which showcased our city's finest chefs with their restaurant staffs as well as fine wine, liquor and spirits, began as host (and association president) Van Hefner welcomed guests John and Robin Boyer, former Las Vegas Mayor Ron Lurie, Sue Strand, Lamar and Pat Marchese, Jeanne Knudson, Bill and Lynne Vick, Dr. Jules Silver, Tony Goitia, Janice Ross and Michael Carr.

In the crowd near the Schamburg Champagne was Kim Owens, general manager of Del Frisco's Steakhouse, and Kandra Perriera, joined by Debbie and Brian Munch, Bob Cranston, Dr. Neil Carmena and Tony Cordasco.

Chef Carlos Guia of Commander's Palace spoke of his new cookbook-in-progress while ladling out bowls of his shrimp gazpacho, while nearby Chuck and Marie Walier and Fred Markham enjoyed an array of tropic-inspired rum drinks from those creative folks mixing their potions at Montecristo Rum.

The Epicurean Affair generates scholarship funds for Nevada students pursuing careers in the hospitality industry, including all aspects of food and hotel service.

Musical gathering

Costumed actors mixed with guests at a champagne reception following a Friday performance of "Sweeney Todd," now in performance through April 25 at Community College Southern Nevada's Horn Theatre.

The performance, a fund-raiser to assist the CCSN Foundation in funding the theatre production, was a richly textured evening of musical mayhem onstage and gourmet delights offstage as prepared by Gustav Mauler, master chef and devoted CCSN Foundation trustee.

Reception attendees included foundation trustees Dr. Jimmy Jones, Ed Curry, Charlotte Hill, Connie Ross, Denny Weddle, Irene Vogel, Neil Friedman and Robbie Graham. White-gloved waiters passed trays of delectables in addition to wines and champagnes, and during the performance created an equally tempting array of desserts and sweets for the intermission break. Supporting the worthy event was CCSN's interim president, Dr. Paul Gianini, and his wife, Sandra, seen with Carolyn Sparks and daughter Katherine Sparks Lang, Tom and Susan Schoeman, Chip and Sidra Kain, Joanne Levy and Lisa Dove-Swisher, also trustees.

Roger Thomas, whose son Drew attends Las Vegas Academy for the Performing Arts, a magnet school in downtown Las Vegas, noted that his son was working backstage as a techie/stagehand for the production.

Theatre manager Brenda Talley spoke of ticket sales and staging arrangements with Ouida Brown and Dr. Lee and Billie Rayford, who were joined by May Muskin and Richard and Betty Hanseen. Complimenting Dr. Keith Boman, associate producer for "Sweeney Todd," on the use of Equity Actors and scenic designs by David Sankauer and Will Ferrell, were Paul and Marianne Steelman, Denise Mauler and her mother, Marcella Smith, Jeff Sipes, Dee and Don Snyder and architect Steve Swisher with Dale Scheiderman.

For tickets and times to "Sweeney Todd," call 651-5483.

Luncheon a smash

Sunrise Children's Foundation's annual spring luncheon, "Color Us Friends at the Mall," was well-attended by a fashionable crowd at the MGM Grand Conference Center on Friday,

The luncheon, held the day previous to the foundation's gala fine arts dinner, also at the MGM Grand Conference Center, was planned with loving care by chairwoman Candy Krauseman, who worked with committee members Virginia Stiles, Joanne Evans, Caroline Rohrer, Vivian Pyle, Sue Smith, Debbie Ladd and Oneita Mitchell, joined by David Rangel, Diana Orrock, Carolyn Hilton, Pat Nation and Sherry Comerio.

Welcomed by Dee Ladd, founder-president of the Sunrise Children's Foundation, guests found themselves in a garden setting where floral arrangements abounded, many with "go shopping themes" of a very fanciful nature.

Created by fine floral shops and their top designers, as well as floral design students, the creations drew the attention of Mariane and Bob Wilcox with daughter Teri Stolworthy, as well as Kathy Ochs, Ann Lynch, Lisa Heck, Suzanne Cram, Carol Stipe, Dee Hicks and foundation trustee Barbara Lee Woollen of Art de Vignettes art gallery.

Sponsors, among them B.J. Lang of The Skin Renewal Center, chatted with guests Sandy Frank, Char Hejmanowski, Stephanie Evans, Diane Whiting and Tammy Felton about the many child-safety and health projects operated by the Sunrise Children's Foundation.

Seen relaxing at the luncheon event with friends Heidi Canarelli and Suzanne Van Aken was supporter Linda Richardson, while nearby Carol Spriggs congratulated Justice of the Peace Nancy Oesterle on having won the gold purse-shaped jewelry piece with its sprinkling of sapphires and diamonds.

Jeweler Michael Minden, the creator of the luxury piece, also showed friends sketches of the diamond cuff bracelet he's been commissioned to prepare for the 2004 World Series of Poker. Others glimpsed in the crowd were Hope Walton with Karen Brown, Denise Reichartz, Margie Conway, Brenda Meehan, Suzy Jones, Nilda Street, Mollie Wright, Jennifer Critchlow, Kathy Truman, Carol Stoddard and Tara Fontana.

Feeding the need

Combining the art of cooking with the art of giving, Share Our Strength presents Taste of the Nation, the annual fund-raiser to stop hunger in Nevada.

Sponsored by American Express, Jenn-Air, Aramark, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and Soroptimist International of Las Vegas, the evening tasting party will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 6 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Road.

Chosen as benefit recipients for 2004 are Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, Community Food Bank and the Chef & Child Foundation. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $50 or at the door for $60. For reservations, call 943-6868. For more details, go online at www.tasteofthenation.com.

School gourmets

Smooth jazz tunes, bidding on trips to the wine country plus dinners, jewels and vintage wines are just part of what makes Bishop Gorman High School's wine tasting such a superb offering. Sponsors DeLuca Liquor & Wine, Ltd. and the Las Vegas Hilton contribute greatly to the special ambiance of the affair, assisting Southern Nevada's only Catholic high school with support for the students attending the college preparatory school.

"Go Gourmet," the wine tasting and lavish repast, will celebrate its 10th glorious year from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. May 7 at the Las Vegas Hilton (Hilton Center). Advance tickets are suggested. For more details, call the Bishop Gorman Development Office at 732-1945, ext. 328 or 363.