Las Vegas: Chow down for a good cause at New York-New York

On Dec. 9, Las Vegas residents and visitors will have a one-of-a-kind opportunity to sample the wares of various top-tier chefs and help the victims of Superstorm Sandy.

A culinary extravaganza called “Start Spreadin’ the News” will be held on the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on that Sunday.

Admission ($100 per person) will include tastings from a variety of celebrity chefs. There will also be wine, craft beer and specialty cocktails provided by Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, the event’s host. The company will donate 100% of the proceeds to the American Red Cross’ disaster relief fund.

The list of participating restaurants is extensive and growing. Many of Las Vegas’ finest restaurants will have booths at the event, including:

• B&B; Ristorante (Venetian)
• Craftsteak (MGM Grand)
• Gordon Ramsay Steak (Paris)
• The Palm (Forum Shops)
• Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro (Caesars Palace)
• Todd English Olives (Bellagio)

The fundraiser has special meaning for at least one participant, famed French pastry chef Francois Payard. During the storm, his 8,000-square-foot master kitchen in Manhattan lost power, forcing the closure of his various shops throughout New York City.

“That means all the refrigerators, everything’s old. All the dough was proofing [rising],” he said. “Five days with no electrical really killed us.”

Payard pointed out, however, that the money raised on Dec. 9 will help people who suffered far greater losses.

“We lost money,” he said. “We lost 10 days of operation. We lost all the food. But some people, they lose even more than this. Some, they lose their life; some, they lose their house.

He said he plans to be in Las Vegas for the event and personally serve some of his confections.

All attendees will receive a commemorative gambling chip. On it is inscribed, “When the ‘chips’ were down, Las Vegas stepped up to help those who were dealt a bad hand by Hurricane Sandy.”

Tickets can be purchased by calling the New York-New York box office at (866) 606-7111.

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