Epicurean Charitable Foundation Hosts 13th Annual M.E.N.U.S. Fundraiser at MGM Grand
Epicurean Charitable Foundation of Las Vegas (ECF) hosted its 13th annual M.E.N.U.S. (Mentoring and Educating Nevada’s Upcoming Students) event on Friday night at MGM Grand, with an exclusive poolside dine-around and entrance to a concert by the Zac Brown Band at MGM Grand Garden Arena (Jabbawockeez pose with the chefs from Tacos & Tequila – Photo credit: Cashman Photo Enterprises).
Guests enjoy the food during the dine-around
Photo credit: Cashman Photo Enterprises.
ECF supporters enjoyed more than 30 participating restaurants including: CRUSH eat, drink, love from MGM Grand serving grilled Chilean sea bass and tuna tostada; Giada from The Cromwell serving orzo meatballs and chocolate peanut butter cookies; Aureole from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino serving grilled hanger steak; and Zenshin Asian Restaurant from South Point Hotel Casino & Spa serving mini malassadas and ahi poke tacos; among others.
ECF board members and students gather before M.E.N.U.S 2014
Photo credit: Cashman Photo Enterprises.
The dine-around was followed by a rocking performance by three-time Grammy Award-winning country sensation, Zac Brown Band. Notable guests at M.E.N.U.S. included: Jason Shkorupa, president of ECF and vice president of food and beverage for MGM Grand; Ana Marie Mormando, ECF vice president and vice president of hotel operations for Bellagio; Larry Ruvo, vice president of Southern Wine & Spirits; Lincoln Spoor, owner of Feel Good Brands; and Stowe Shoemaker, dean of the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at University of Nevada, Las Vegas; among others. Local entertainers also participated in ECF’s ‘purple carpet’ such as Carrot Top, Jabbawockeez, FANTASY and Thunder from Down Under.
M.E.N.U.S. is an annual event that raises money to support ECF’s primary charitable endeavor of providing full-ride scholarships to deserving local students interested in pursuing careers in hospitality or the culinary arts. Since 2001, ECF has donated more than $1 million to Clark County students.
Comprised of 25 of Las Vegas’ top food and beverage and hospitality executives, Epicurean Charitable Foundation of Las Vegas is dedicated to ensuring scholarships and unique mentorship opportunities to financially-underprivileged Clark County students passionate about pursuing a career in a related field. To support the mission, ECF holds a grand annual fundraiser, known as M.E.N.U.S. (Mentoring and Educating Nevada’s Upcoming Students), featuring an exclusive dine-around, live entertainment and elaborate amenities. More information may be found by calling 702.932.5098, visiting www.ecflv.org.