Chefs honored for service at annual culinary gala

Jeffrey Martell, assistant executive chef at Luxor and Excalibur, was named the 2011 Chef of the Year during the American Culinary Federation Chefs of Las Vegas awards gala June 26 at the MGM Conference Center.

The dinner, now in its 31st year, pays tribute to member chefs whose culinary expertise and exemplary dedication have enhanced the image of the chef and the Culinary Federation.

The other finalist for the coveted award was Patrick Simon, corporate executive chef for Sysco.

Winning the Associate of the Year award was John A. Rees III, who has dedicated his time and effort to support the many associate advisory board activities.

The Student Culinarian of the Year winner was Edward Reyes of the College of Southern Nevada. Reyes excelled in his normal scholastic curriculum and extracurricular activities offered by the college's culinary school.

Chef Michael Ty, national president of the American Culinary Federation, presented the Presidential Medal to chef Dennis Lambertz.

Local chapter president, chef Rick Baumes, gave the 2011 President's Award to Susan Lednicky, chair of the Chefs for Kids Gala.

Chefs Jean Hertzman and Christopher Johns awarded the chapter's Las Vegas Hall of Fame Medallion to chef Brenda Hitchins, who is now teaching kids her culinary knowledge.

Hertzman also awarded scholarships for culinary school.

The evening began with chef Christian Rassinoux and his staff at MGM's Conference Center preparing butler-passed hors d'oeuvres, followed by dinner beginning with a duo of king crab salad and Dungeness crab cocktail. The double entrée was a beef tenderloin and braised short rib with fava beans and morel mushrooms, served with selected wines from Southern Wine & Spirits. Desserts included vanilla mango martini and milk chocolate truffle cake served with a dessert wine.

Steve Soltz, 2010 Chef of the Year, introduced former chefs of the year in attendance: Frank Insera, Bingo Palace, 1982; Michael Ty, Caesars Palace, 1986; Christopher Johns, Sands Hotel, 1987; Brenda Hitchins, Rio, 1993; Tom Rosenberger, Community College of Southern Nevada, 1997; Jean Hertzman, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1998; Kitty Sanderson, US Foodservice, 2007; Rick Baumes, Riviera, 2008; Dennis Lambertz, Nevada Food Brokerage, 2005; and John Metcalfe, CSN, 2009.

Among the guests attending were Kathy Grant, Mike Whitesides, Madeleine Sigman-Grant, Justin Franco, Joan Soltz, Vangie Casaul, Adelina Reyes, Linda Adams, Debbie Lomboy, George Bailey, Charlette Krane and Jeff Eskin.

A special guest was Claude Tayag, chef, author and artist visiting from the Philippines.

Winners of the event's three $100 bills were Randy Dickinson, Nicole Simon and John Lindquist.

The Kurt Swanson 17-piece orchestra played throughout the evening.