Scholarship benefit aims to open academic opportunities

More than 750 guests entered the World Market Center on March 8 for an evening of fun during the 19th annual Educational Taste of Excellence Wine Tasting, Spirits &Jazz Scholarship Benefit.

Amid ice carvings created by Ice Occasions and smooth jazz from Darren Motamedy, guests were greeted at the door with Champagne, long-stemmed wineglasses and appetizer trays. Next stop, the tall swirling fountain for chocolate-dipped strawberries. On to the sushi bar from We Love Sushi, which offered a variety of tasty morsels to eat with 110 of the best domestic and international wines and spirits in the house.

There were also mango- and pineapple-flavored party rums and tequilas. Partygoers did not pass up the opportunity to taste Coco Rosso, a red wine infused with chocolate provided by event sponsors Lee’s Discount Liquor and Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada.

Another big hit was B With a Twist’s mac and cheese; guests lined up to make sure they didn’t miss it. Chocolate-covered caramel corn from Las Vegas Fruits and Nuts tingled taste buds of guests with a sweet tooth. Rubio’s and Hash House A Go Go restaurants along with Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts also provided mouthwatering dishes for the evening.

“This support of the Cultural Diversity Foundation helps us to remove roadblocks and build learning opportunities for underserved individuals who aspire to achieve their highest educational and professional goals,” said Joni Flowers, president and executive director of the Cultural Diversity Foundation.

Foundation board member Anna Church said, “Just giving support and education to those who need it the most is what we do.”

The foundation has conducted numerous free technology classes for the unemployed and community members who want to learn more computer skills.

The Cultural Diversity Foundation also trains interns from UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration in event planning and meetings. Flowers said the program offers hands-on training.

“This is Las Vegas, where expectations for customer service are very high, and in order to succeed they must meet and exceed those expectations,” she added.

A silent and live auction netted additional funding for the organization. Items up for bid included an office visit with Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, formal evening gowns, weekend stays at major hotels, flight lessons, a Black Canyon River adventure, a Napa Valley Tasting Tour, airfare for two from Southwest Airlines, country club memberships, jewelry and more.

Guests included foundation board members Jerrie Merritt, Tony Gladney, Melinda Brown, Debbie Conway, chef Sterling Burpee, Fred Keeton, Lois Greene and George Sees.

Other guests were Randy Shaw of Southwest Airlines, Paul Brozovich, Daniela Sanchez, Daryn King, Zane Weber, Donna Cutler and Judy Lynn of Las Vegas Fruits and Nuts, Dan Schwartz, Janet Bronson, Paula Tobar, Carmen Smith, Seetal Tejura, Linda and Mike Pramshafer, Nathan Reinmiller, and Beth Schwartz, editor of Luxury magazine.

Sponsors included Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada, Lee’s Discount Liquor, Caesars Entertainment, State Restaurant Equipment Co., NV Energy, Bank of Nevada, CDW, Southwest Airlines, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Decowest, KUNV-FM, 91.5 and Las Vegas Color Graphics.

All proceeds from the event will fund scholarships.