Wolfgang Puck Celebrates the 5th Annual Sip & Savor at Spago Las Vegas
On Thursday, September 21, The Wolfgang Puck Las Vegas culinary team presented its 5th annual Sip & Savor event at Spago inside The Forum Shops at Caesars (Pictured: Wolfgang Puck – Photo credit: Sam Abrams).
Lupo Executive Chef Michael Tiva plating tagliatelle with caviar
Photo credit: Sam Abrams
The evening showcased the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group’s exceptional hospitality and world-class culinary offerings in an effort to increase awareness and raise funds for Keep Memory Alive.
(L) Spago Manager Carlos Perez, WP Partner Tom Kaplan, (R) CUT Manager Gianni Toffanello
Photo credit: Sam Abrams
Beginning at 5:30 p.m., VIPs and Spago loyalists checked in as the first passed appetizers circulated the floor.
(R) Klaus Puck with wife and party guest
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and Michael Shulman kept the sips and sounds flowing, guests indulged in an interactive sampling of a variety of dishes from each of Puck’s six Las Vegas restaurants positioned around the perimeter of the restaurant. New to this year’s offering was a whimsical, over-the-top dessert display adorned with the finest handmade chocolates, nostalgic candies, and sweet treats.
WP Pastry team, WP Partner David Robins (R)
Photo credit: Sam Abrams
Promptly at 7:00 p.m., the music cut to make way for speaking engagements as Wolfgang Puck himself made the opening introduction. Reflecting with Larry Ruvo by his side, Wolfgang shared his first experiences of the days leading up to the opening, “We came here in December 1992 and our first night of service had 50 customers and 100 employees,” Puck said. “All of a sudden I saw all these cowboys here…and they asked where the buffet was. I said then, I think I may have made the biggest mistake of my life, but really it turned out to be one of my best accomplishments after we became a part of this great community of Las Vegas.”
(L) CET Cleopatra, wine vendor, (R) CET Julius Caesar
Photo credit: Sam Abrams
During his speaking remarks, he later continued to talk about the importance of finding a cure for Alzheimer’s having lost his own mother to the disease. He said addressing the crowd, “The Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health does an amazing job to work at finding a cure, just as you all do an amazing job at supporting this event year after year.”
Spago Chef Team, Chef Eric Klein (C)
Photo credit: Sam Abrams
Shortly thereafter, Larry Ruvo presented Wolfgang with his own personal Stetson cowboy hat in significance of their first entertaining experience with that particular Las Vegas cowboy 25 years ago. Additionally, along with WP Fine Dining Group managing partners Tom Kaplan and David Robins, they all received commemorative awards on behalf of the center to signify their fine dining achievements in Las Vegas and for their continued support to find a cure for brain disorders in hosting Sip & Savor annual events throughout the years.
Cucina station. Chef Carving Iberico Ham
Photo credit: Sam Abrams
As the remainder of the evening continued into the early morning hours, all attendees were sent home with white chocolate bark prepared in a one-of-a-kind Wolfgang Puck-branded box. Among one of the exclusive chocolate boxes, one lucky attendee was gifted a Golden Ticket good for a four-hour pastry experience at Spago Las Vegas for up to four friends.
Wolfgang Puck Celebrates the 5th Annual Sip & Savor at Spago Las Vegas
Photo credit: Sam Abrams
2017 marks 25 years since Spago debuted in Las Vegas at The Forum Shops. This year’s Sip & Savor is the last year the event will take place in its existing location before the famed restaurant finds its new home at The Bellagio Las Vegas, summer 2018.