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Food & Wine All-Star Weekend Returns to Aria and Bellagio October 21-23

World-class luxury resorts ARIA Resort & Casino and Bellagio Resort & Casino will serve as the culinary playgrounds for the second annual FOOD & WINE All-Star Weekend October 21-23. Hosted by FOOD & WINE’s Gail Simmons along with a talented line-up of celebrity chef superstars, renowned sommeliers and creative mixologists, this weekend will provide fun, educational and memorable epicurean experiences.

“ARIA and Bellagio are ideal settings for the FOOD & WINE All-Star Weekend as both resorts represent the city’s finest in food and beverage offerings through extraordinary chef talent, unparalleled hospitality and award-winning restaurant design,” said Chief Marketing Officer of MGM Resorts International Bill Hornbuckle. “Our partnership with FOOD & WINE brings talented teams of culinary professionals together as they collaborate and create an incredible line-up of first-class experiences for our guests.”

“Top Chef winners, contenders, and wine and cocktail experts are coming together from across the country to be a part of this second FOOD & WINE All-Star Weekend, including 2011 FOOD & WINE Best New Chef and Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard,” said FOOD & WINE VP/Publisher Christina Grdovic. “We are looking forward to a memorable two days of culinary fun in Las Vegas at ARIA and Bellagio, locations that offer some of the most renowned dining experiences in Las Vegas.”

Events throughout the weekend will include presentations by some of the country’s most talented chefs including Bravo’s Top Chef cheftestants Stephanie Izard, Angelo Sosa, Hosea Rosenberg, Yigit Pura and Sam Talbot. Powerhouse chefs at ARIA and Bellagio include Shawn McClain, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Julian Serrano, Michael Mina, Masa Takayama and Sirio Maccioni. The astounding culinary journey will include:

Friday, October 21
8 p.m. ­ 11 p.m. First Course: Kick-off party hosted by Gail Simmons at ARIA View Bar featuring a star-studded lineup of celebrity chefs and alumni from Top Chef. Guests will enjoy cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres.

11 p.m. ­ 1 a.m. Second Course: The Deuce Lounge at ARIA will be the setting for a fun after-party as each chef hosts blackjack at a gaming table. Sit in on a game, sip delicious cocktails and enjoy a simply delectable dessert bar from Top Chef Just Desserts winner Yigit Pura.

Saturday, October 22
Noon ­ 2 p.m. A New American Lunch: FOOD & WINE Contributor and Wine Expert Anthony Giglio and Top Chef cheftestant Stephanie Izard co-host this exciting sit-down luncheon at ARIA’s Sage. Delicious cuisine by Sage Executive Chef Shawn McClain and exquisite cocktail and beer pairings made exclusively by Giglio will impress guests during the afternoon, providing a fun, culinary experience at the award-winning restaurant.

Luxe Lunch: Hosted in Bellagio’s Tuscany Kitchen, this extraordinary lunch is part cooking demonstration, part three-course luncheon and part wine tasting. This exciting event will be hosted by Gail Simmons with Top Chef’s Season 5 winner Hosea Rosenberg providing a cooking demo and Bellagio Master Sommelier and Director of Wine Jason Smith pairing each course with complementary wine.

8 p.m. ­ 11 p.m. All-Star Tasting: The main event takes place poolside at ARIA and will feature host Gail Simmons, Bravo’s Top Chef cheftestants Yigit Pura, Stephanie Izard, Hosea Rosenberg, Angelo Sossa and Sam Talbot in addition to the signature restaurants of ARIA: Jean Georges Steakhouse, Sirio Ristorante, Julian Serrano, BARMASA and Sage. Each participating chef will create a sample-sized portion of a signature dish for guests to taste. Cocktails, wine and beer also will be served. Many of ARIA’s award-winning chefs and restaurateurs will be in attendance including Masa Takayama, Shawn McClain, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Michael Mina and Sirio Maccioni.

Sunday, October 23
11 a.m. Champagne & Caviar Brunch: Hosted by FOOD & WINE Contributing Editor and Wine Expert Anthony Giglio, Jasmine at Bellagio will make guests’ champagne wishes and caviar dreams come true at this buffet brunch set against the backdrop of the breathtaking Bellagio Fountains. Featuring a specialty Bloody Mary Bar created by Bellagio Master Mixologist Matt Myers and brunch favorites from Top Chef Season 5 winner Hosea Rosenberg.

For the detailed event schedule, ticketing and more information about the FOOD & WINE All-Star Weekend visit www.mgmresorts.com/foodandwine/. Sponsors and partners for this special event include Infiniti, Maker’s Mark and Courvoisier.