Let's go "Gourmet" in Vegas this week!

The World Gourmet Summit is happening now in Las Vegas.

This sounds like something I can really get into. I mean, it contains the word "GOURMET" in its name and takes place in Las Vegas!! Do I need more incentive?!?

Well, my husband has demanded more info before making a commitment. Never let it be said he leaps before looking. Okay, to be real, I don't believe he has any intentions of signing us up for this one but "Las Vegas" did catch his attention! He does like Vegas. I always say I have a better shot of going anywhere if I can bribe him with a nearby casino.

So, what is the World Gourmet Summit?

According to the press release it's "a food and wine extravaganza including culinary demonstrations and wine -pairing classes, gourmet dinners, and a Grand Gourmet Safari, with over 80 wineries presenting in excess of 150 wines and internationally renowned Master Chefs presenting their favorite specialties." It goes on to bill the event as an opportunity to "rub shoulders with fellow devotees from around the world." Ooooh, great food and wine and a good shoulder rub, what's not to like? It's happening today through the 20th.

The events list includes such activities as a Culinary Master Class & Wine Pairing Seminar, a Master Chef's Dinner, Panel discussions of Food & Beverage topics, a "Chateau Musar" Tasting Session, The Las Vegas Grand Gourmet Safari, and the Food & Beverage Hall of Fame Gala. Each day ends with a Get Together at the "Fire Pit" of the Signature at MGM Grand for socializing. I'm particularly interested in that Safari!!

The main goal of this event is to raise scholarship funds for hospitatlity students. Attended predominantly by members of the Food & Beverage Forum, all events are open to the public. There are auctions featuring items such as stays in luxury hotels around the world, dinners in some of the best restaurants in the industry, fine wines and more. While there is an online auction associated with the event featuring the most coveted lots, there are also a number of live auctions conducted on site. Since 1996, a total of $550,000 has been distributed to students at a number of colleges and universities around the country.