Celebrity Chef Blackjack Tournament – Vegas Uncork’d

Vegas Uncork'd

Wynn/Encore’s European pool and patio served as the backdrop of the Celebrity Chef Blackjack Tournament during Bon Appetit’s Vegas Uncork’d weekend. Having just got back from Monte Carlo a few weeks prior, the event and ambiance brought me back to drinking champagne at Jimmy’z and enjoying the nightlife of the French Riviera. Where this event had Monaco beat, was the roster of players at the blackjack table. The chefs competing for cash prizes totaling $10,000 included the likes of Daniel Boulud, Tom Colicchio, Francois Payard, Jet Tila, Joel Robuchon, David Walzog, Bobby Flay, Laurent Tourondel and many other of Vegas’ top chefs.

Daniel Boulud

Daniel Boulud at the Blackjack Table

Jet Tila, Amy Rossetti, David Walzog

David Walzog, Amy Rossetti, Jet Tila

Mika takeuchi-hugh garvey-andrew knowlton

with Bon Appetit’s Andrew Knowlton and Hugh Garvey

Paul Bartolotta, Tom Colicchio

Tom Colicchio and winner Paul Bartolotta

In the end, it was Paul Bartolotta who ended up winning it all- for a second year in a row! It was definitely chef Bartolotta’s winning week. First he won the James Beard award for Best Chef Southwest on Monday, then he ended up being crowned Celebrity Chef Blackjack king during the Vegas Uncork’d weekend.

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Encore

One thing’s for certain – there were definitely no losers at this blackjack tournament. Throughout the event, we were treated to a premium open bar which included Patron Spirits, and flutes of Perrier Jouet. And in typical French Riviera fashion, many of the attendees continued the evening at the neighboring XS, Encore’s swanky nightclub. XS provided the perfect ending to another fabulous day of Vegas Uncork’d with the illuminating palm trees, crystal blue pool, and the most amazing weather one could ask for. I definitely got my Cote d’Azur fix that evening – and I didn’t even need my passport.

 

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4 Comments

  1. marco
    21/05/2009 / 5:49 pm

    nice pic of db! He’s looking serious about his blackjack game.

  2. m.c.
    23/05/2009 / 11:05 am

    I just can’t get enough of all your vegas event photos. I am going next year and nothings gonna stop me. The food and drinks and everything look incredible.

  3. Lena
    26/05/2009 / 2:37 am

    I love your web site and love the encore! Xs is such a nice club.

  4. 25/06/2010 / 2:42 pm

    Food and gambling….don’t get much better than that! Two of man’s favorite activities together.

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