by Debbie Hall, Informer Media Group
LUCKYRICE Festival’s fifth anniversary celebration presented by Bombay Sapphire East will return to The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas today, Oct. 4.
Thanks in part to former the mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar Goodman, Las Vegas is affiliated with Bombay Sapphire gin. Along with Asian cuisine prepared by celebrity chefs paired with Bombay Sapphire East and other beverages, LUCKYRICE promises to be one of the top culinary events of the season.
According to Danielle Chang, festival founder, the popularity of Asian cuisine in American is due to many reasons. “The Asian population in America has increased so much over the past generation, partly due to immigration and to education and access to Asian ingredients and culinary talent. There is a lot of travel between Asia and America. China is forecasted to be the No. 1 tourism destination for Americans by 2020, surpassing Europe, so that says a lot about cultural exchange. In terms of the food world, there is a new generation of young Asian American entrepreneurs who are catering to global and American palates and making Asian dishes and flavors more accessible throughout the country.”
The tasting menu will include chefs from the various regions.
Las Vegas chefs part of the LUCKYRICE Festival include Bank Atcharawan (Chada Thai), Ben Spungin (Rose. Rabbit. Lie.), Chizuru Hojo (Monta Ramen), Costas Spiliadis (Estiatorio Milos), Garrison Price (China Poblano by José Andrés), Gerald Chin (STRIPSTEAK), Ho Chee Boon (Hakkasan), Khai Vu (District One Kitchen & Bar), Mio Ogasawara (Sweets Raku), Mitsuo Endo (Raku), Stephen Hopcraft (STK) and Wesley Holton (Rose. Rabbit. Lie.).
Other chefs from different cities include Jon Matsubara (Japengo – Honolulu), Andy Yang (Rhong Tiam – New York City), Chris Oh (Seoul Sausage – Los Angeles), Erwin Tjahyadi (Komodo – Los Angeles), Kyle Itani (Hopscotch – Oakland), Miguel Trinidad (Maharlika – New York City), Pichet Ong (New York City), Susur Lee (Lee – Toronto) and Telmo Faria (Chino – San Francisco).
“Particular to the LUCKYRICE festival, our New York festival focuses primarily on local chefs whereas we are lucky to be able to bring chefs from all around the country for tonight’s festival,” said Chang.
Chef Matsubara of Japengo in Hawaii is preparing a special dish and decided “to serve the Bombay Sapphire East smoked salmon, Nashi pear, Japanese picked plum and nori burrata to bring a little Hawaiian flavor to Vegas. The Bombay Sapphire East botanicals—Thai Lemongrass and Vietnamese black peppercorns—complements Japengo’s cuisine and flavor profiles and it is the perfect match for both food and cocktails.”
There are the cocktails including Sapphire East Year of the Horse made with Bombay Sapphire East Gin, Hibiscus Tea, Ginger Beer, Fresh Lime, Garnished with Lime Wedge and Lemongrass Stalk. Try The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas’ Thai’ed and True made with Bombay Sapphire East Gin, mango and Papaya Puree, Yuzu Calamansi Sour, “I Love Larb” Drinking Vinegar, mint, cilantro and Thai bitters.
LUCKYRICE Festival’s 5th Anniversary Celebration presented by Bombay Sapphire East will be held at Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, 3708 Las Vegas Blvd. S. 7 to 11 p.m. today, Oct. 4. For more information, visit luckyrice.com.