Alicia Sweatt, from left, Ambur Bacilio, Sassan Kaveh, Ashley Lauren, Janelle Alaan and Angie Sanabria serve Bacardi razz cocktails at the Epicurean Affair April 12 at Flamingo Las Vegas. PHOTOS BY MARIAN UMHOEFER/review-journal Georgie Harper, center from left, David Clay and Dan Harper are startled by caged "tigers" at the Epicurean Affair. Adam Gunty gives Flora Flamingo a kiss on the cheek, while Jennifer Rosete is all smiles. The Cabo Wabo Tequila girl, Marie Claire, and Weego, the crazy flamingo, offer tequila snow cones to visitors at the Epicurean Affair. The Whiskey Girls from Toby Keith's I Love This Bar, Julie Brand, left, and Nicole Houle, invite guests to try the restaurant's creations. "The Attitude Girl," from left, Parand Habashi, Touraj Habashi and Melissa Ingramm mingle at the Flamingo booth during the Epicurean Affair. Marissa Richardson, from left, Shawn Martin and Minji Kim display novelty balloon creations during the Epicurean Affair.

The 2006 Epicurean Affair, showcasing the talents of many of the city's best chefs, took place April 12 on the tropical grounds of the Flamingo Las Vegas.

Hosted by the Nevada Restaurant Association, the Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association and the Flamingo, guests were told to throw off their corporate suits in favor of island attire.

At the entrance to the event was a scantily clad model wearing nothing but a few pieces of fruit as she reclined in a bathtub. One of the Flamingo's four pools offered frolicking models amid a sea of balloons, while men dressed as pink flamingos on stilts strutted throughout the grounds.

Guests were greeted by Don Marrandino, president of Harrah's and the Flamingo in Las Vegas, and Van Heffner, president of the Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association.

More than 100 of Las Vegas' famed restaurants offered their specialties among libation stations dispensing various drinks.

Seen sampling the fare of lobster corn dogs offered by MGM Grand's Sea Blue Restaurant was Franck Savoy of the award-winning Guy Savoy Restaurant in Paris, who will soon open one of his family's restaurants in Caesars Palace.

MGM's Diego prepared buffalo empanadas, and Craftsteak offered lobster bisque alongside Kobe steak. The famed Joel Robuchon at The Mansion poured Bruno Paillard Champagne to accompany bits of longastino.

Bellagio's contributions included espresso martinis, which were a hit. Olives did sea scallops with fava beans, Sensi offered hot and sour beef salad, and Shintaro prepared rock shrimp. Jean-Philippe Patisserie gave out caramelized bananas.

Fin at The Mirage offered beef tenderloin in black pepper with crispy shrimp, and Kokomo's gave out ahi tuna tartar and lamb chops.

Hugo's Cellar offered scallops in saffron and cream and chicken champignon. Commander's Palace did a Creole pink shrimp ceviche. The Golden Nugget offered glazed quail, while Andre Rochat's Alize presented smoked salmon parfaits.

Mandalay Bay's Red Square pleased the crowd with pomegranate martinis, while the Border Grill's carne asada tacos with prickly pear margaritas were popular.

Treasure Island's Dishes presented yummy cookies, cupcakes and whipped up cotton candy.

The Flamingo ran an "Old Vegas" video while serving coconut and mango panna cotta and raspberry macaroons.

Wild Truffles presented pesto shrimp and strawberries stuffed with Bailey's Cream mousse.

Guests included Robin Leach, Michael Gasta, Dave Nolan, F.X. MacDonald, Christopher Sarret, Gina Hines, Chris (Fish) Walker, Stephanie Johnson, Christopher Nolan, Julie Pollock, and Becky and Kirk Brynjulson.

Spring fun: The Children's Service Guild had its annual Spring Fling luncheon April 8 at the Plaza. The event helps young people placed in Family Court Services.

Women adorned in flowered hats watched KTNV-TV, Channel 13, news anchors Cathy Ray and Tricia Kean, Miss Nevada Junior Teen Ileri Tunrarebi, and Charles Vinick and Nancy Vinick model the latest spring fashions from Stein Mart.

Channel 13 weatherman Nate Tannenbaum used wit and his gavel to bring maximum bids for an auction featuring bags from Escada and Christian Dior, jewelry from Tiffany & Co. and M.J. Christensen, and Waterford crystal.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman conducted a personal auction for a Good Luck Mayor chip that raised $3,000 in a joint bid from several attendees that included Districgt Judge Michael Cherry. The mayor chipped in $1,000 toward the bid.

Among the 300 guests enjoying the luncheon entree of chicken Kiev and white chocolate mousse were Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, Mary Kaye and Norman Kaye of the Mary Kaye Trio, Arlene McCroy, Vanessa Fink, Faith Elkman, jazz entertainers Alicia and Don Cunningham, singer and comedian Joel Dean, and Sharon Friend, president of the Children's Service Guild.

Kathleen Pasieka won first prize at the benefit's annual hat contest, judged by the all-male committee of Richard Epifani, Earle Malkin and Lou Palma, manager of Child Haven.

The luncheon chairwoman was Lois Choate.

The Guild was founded in 1969 and serves the needs, including medical and dental care, for more than 5,000 children who each year spend some time at Child Haven or in shelter homes.