Epicurean Foundation raises money for scholarships

Award-winning chefs Alessandro Stratta and Julian Serrano were honored May 15 during the Epicurean Foundation's sixth anniversary dinner at The Stirling Club at Turnberry Place.

Stratta is executive chef of Alex at Wynn Las Vegas, while Serrano is executive chef of Picasso at Bellagio.

The Epicurean Foundation was founded by Rino Armeni to foster culinary education, and money raised from this event goes to scholarships.

A reception featured Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Canoe Ridge Chardonnay and Primus Merlot, along with assorted fois gras, crusted tuna and caviar appetizers.

Guests included Vicki and Frank Fertitta Jr., Lloyd Wentzell, Tim McCartney, the Rev. Richard Rinn, Oliver Baader, Carla and John Redmond, Andrew Rosett, Michelle and Tom Recine, Missi Jacobs, Zaven Khacaturian, and University of Nevada, Las Vegas basketball coach Lon Kruger and his wife, Barbara.

Dinner was served in the club's dining room, with the Rev. Lawrence Lentz of Guardian Angel Cathedral giving the invocation.

New students receiving scholarships included Myra Aguirre, Catherine Caro, Hanny Herrada and Alona Rideout.

Students already enrolled in a program included Cody Hinckley, Sabrina Karie, Jermey Jordan and Tonya Chidester.

Three of the program's graduating students attending were Angela Szewczyk, Sulie Heng and Kandice Flanary.

The Epicurean Foundation is chaired by Bart Mahoney with Chris Fava and Kevin Stuessi, vice presidents; Adam Odegard, secretary; and Rick Goldstein, treasurer.

Helping kids: Chefs For Kids had its annual gala Saturday at the Rio to raise money to support its programs.

The organization is a cooperative venture of the American Culinary Federation Chefs of Las Vegas and Nevada Cooperative Extension.

Five nutrition educators from Cooperative Extension teach first- and second-grade pupils about healthy eating and physical activity. The chefs visit one of several high-needs schools every month to serve a healthy breakfast.

The dinner's theme was "Everything's Coming Up Roses," and the ballroom was decorated with thousands of red and yellow roses.

This year's event honored Eric Hilton, a director of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Conrad N. Hilton Fund and the Little League Foundation. He also serves on the advisory board of the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Houston.

Hilton was chosen as the Chefs For Kids honoree because he shares the group's vision as the driving force behind Three Square, an initiative to provide wholesome food to vulnerable citizens, while striving to end hunger in Southern Nevada.

The 500 guests attended a reception featuring violin music, butler-passed canapes, a sushi bar, seafood and hors d'oeuvre buffet.

A silent auction offered dinner at Las Vegas' best restaurants, show tickets and artwork.

Master of ceremonies was KLAS-TV, Channel 8 news anchor Dave Courvoisier. Ellie Smith sang the national anthem and Larry Hart sang "Everything's Coming Up Roses."

Auctioneer Christian Kolberg conducted a live auction for 18 dinner packages.

The auctions raised $100,000. A gourmet dinner by Rio's chef Pete Ghione and staff was followed by dancing to the music of Harbor Lights.

Birthday girl: Beverly Mykisen was feted at a formal reception dinner/dance party May 18 at Cili in the Bali Hai Golf Club.

Hosted by her husband, Mike Mykisen, Beverly celebrated her 70th birthday in grand style with relatives from Chicago, Washington, Texas and California joining the Mykisens' many Southern Nevada friends. Seventy guests attended.

The Tommy Alvardo band played for dancing.

The Mykisens are patrons of the arts as well as world travelers.