Tickets go on sale today for foodie event Vegas Uncork’d

By Ron Sylvester

Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013 | 9 a.m.

Joel Robuchon and Jean-Georges Vongerichten will be among the chefs hosting new events, when tickets go on sale today for Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appétit.

Online ticket sales for most events are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. The seventh-annual food festival is set for May 9-12.

Uncork'd has become Las Vegas’ biggest showcase for food and drink — a business accounting for more than a third of the revenue coming into Nevada's casino properties. The four-day foodie event draws about 5,000 visitors and boosts the city’s economy by more than $6 million a year.

“Las Vegas has redefined the culinary and wine experience by offering the most comprehensive collection of celebrity chefs, world-class restaurants and more master sommeliers than any other place in the world,” said Cathy Tull, senior vice president of marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. "Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit showcases Las Vegas as a top epicurean destination."

One of the first Uncork'd events to sell out each year, "Pastry Savvy" with Francois Payard, returns May 11 to Caesars Palace.

New events on the schedule include a brunch from Robuchon May 10 at the MGM Grand, followed by a farm-to-table dinner by Vongerichten the next day at the Bellagio.

Hakkasan, the new five-story restaurant and nightclub at MGM Grand, will host the kickoff party. The annual Grand Tasting, a sampling of about every chef on the Strip, returns May 10 to the Caesars Palace pool.

This year's Master Series Dinners features a slate including Payard, Guy Savoy, Bobby Flay, Nobu Matsuhisa and Gordon Ramsay.

"It’s four days packed with intimate dinners, luncheons, wine and food tastings, cooking demonstrations, pool-side soirees and more,” said Adam Rapoport, editor-in-chief of Bon Appétit. "It is the weekend for food lovers."

The event is also sponsored by Chase Sapphire, and holders of the credit card will have access to special events, such as a brunch with Spanish wine pairing from Chef Julian Serrano.

Tickets may be ordered by phone at 877-884-8993