Iron Chef Morimoto in Las Vegas

James Beard Foundation’s Taste America® “Local Flavor from Coast to Coast” Traveling Food Festival Comes to Las Vegas This Fall

- Tickets on Sale Now -

Food Enthusiasts and Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa Signature Cardholders Are Invited to Join Taste America All-Star Masaharu Morimoto to Taste and Enjoy America’s Culinary Diversity September 27-28

LAS VEGAS, NV – Tickets are now on sale for The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America®: “Local Flavor from Coast To Coast,” a national traveling food festival which will visit Las Vegas on Friday, September 27 and Saturday, September 28. The five-weekend festival will visit 10 cities from September 20 through October 19, 2013. Taste America will showcase culinary all-stars and public events exploring the nation’s unique range of local cuisines in Las Vegas along with nine other cities including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. Taste America is presented by the James Beard Foundation (JBF) in partnership with Chase Sapphire Preferred® Visa Signature®.

A weekend-long tour, Las Vegas’ Taste America festivities will kick-off on Friday, September 27 with a variety of free culinary consumer events throughout the city (from Downtown Las Vegas to Summerlin), and culminate in an exclusive dining event at The Mirage Hotel & Casino the evening of Saturday, September 28. A spectacular poolside gala tasting and reception, “A Taste of America” will be co-hosted by Taste America All-Star, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto (proprietor, Morimoto Restaurants) and Host Chef Christian Schmidt (The Mirage, Las Vegas). The event will also feature delectable dishes and cocktails from several of Las Vegas’ most celebrated local chefs, including James Beard Award winner François Payard (Payard), Paul Bartolotta (Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare), Saipin Chutima (Lotus of Siam), Luciano Pellegrini (Valentino), Eric Klein (Spago), Brian Massie (The Light Group), Laurent Tourondel (BLT Burger), Akira Back (Yellowtail Bellagio), Malcolm Mitchell (Mint Gastro Pub), Adam Arencibia (Japonais) and more.

Tickets for “A Taste of America” are now available for purchase at jbftasteamerica.org, and are priced at $120 per person, all-inclusive for the Mirage Tasting Event. The chef and champagne event is an added $75.00 and includes an afternoon tasting at Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant & Lounge on the Bellagio fountains.   The James Beard Foundation is proud to donate a portion of the evening’s proceeds to The Epicurean Charitable Foundation.

The Taste America culinary agenda for Las Vegas includes:

Friday, September 27

1:00 p.m.:        Bellagio Yellowtail Restaurant – Champagne, Sparkling, and Chefs (3600 Las Vegas Blvd S)

                       An afternoon of bubbly and heavenly creations from James Beard Award nominee Akira Back

Saturday, September 28

10:00 a.m.:       Sur La Table at Fashion Show Mall (3200 S Las Vegas Blvd #1175)

This full day of free consumer retail events features in-store chef appearances, from local artisans and producers as well as two very special cooking demonstrations and book signings. Chef demos are ticketed events and kitchen space is limited.  Pick up free tickets in store at Sur La Table now, and visit jbftasteamerica.org/event/las-vegas for further information.

11:30 a.m.:        Macy’s at Fashion Show Mall (Men’s Wing) - Cooking demonstration with JBF Award winner François Payard

12:30 p.m.:       Sur La Table – Book signing with François Payard, Chocolate Epiphany

2:00 p.m.:         Macy’s at Fashion Show Mall (Men’s Wing) - Cooking demonstration with All-Star Masaharu Morimoto, Iron Chef and proprietor of Morimoto Restaurants

3:00 p.m.:         Sur La Table - Book signing with Masaharu Morimoto, Morimoto: The New Art of Japanese Cooking

8:00 p.m.:         “A Taste of America” Poolside Reception at The Mirage (3400 South Las Vegas Blvd)

Co-hosted by Taste America All-Star Masaharu Morimoto and Host Chef Christian Schmidt, the evening will include a tasting reception featuring delectable dishes and cocktails from several of Las Vegas’ finest restaurants at The Mirage’s award-winning pool. The ladies of FANTASY, the popular show at Luxor Hotel and Casino, will heat things up with a poolside performance. Immediately following the reception, VIP ticket holders will have access to an exclusive after party at 1 OAK nightclub.

“The Taste America traveling food festival will shine a light on the dynamic culinary cities across the country,” said Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation. “Our Taste America chefs will be working with local farmers and artisanal producers of everything from cheese to chocolate. With the support of Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa Signature, we are now able to bring together the best innovators in our food world to educate and entertain Americans about local flavors from coast to coast.”

The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America is presented by Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa Signature, a premier rewards credit card for people who love travel and dining. Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa Signature cardholders will enjoy exclusive benefits not available to the public at James Beard Foundation’s Taste America events, including access to chefs, recipes, preferred seating, and more.

The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America is supported by retail partner, Sur La Table, national media partner, Every Day with Rachael Ray, and national sponsors including Breville, Delta Air Lines, The Gulf Oyster Industry Council, and Lurpak® butter.