Literature, celebrated chefs, fine food, panel discussions, a farmers market and more come together on Sunday, Nov. 6, at the Vegas Valley Book Festival. Renowned chef Rick Moonen will host ”Feasting on Words – The Literature & Food Fair” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. downtown at the Historic Fifth Street School. Moonen, of Rick Moonen’s rm seafood at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino (click link to book) and author of ”Fish Without a Doubt,” is one of the country’s top culinary advocates for sustainable seafood. All events are open to the public, and most are free.
A highlight of the day will be cooking demonstrations from noon to 2 p.m. by nine acclaimed Las Vegas chefs. Cooking on wood-fired grills in Centennial Plaza, participating chefs will offer freshly prepared exquisite tastings. Participating chefs will include Geno Bernardo of NOVE Italiano (Palms Casino Resort), Carlos Buscaglia of Due Forni Pizza & Wine, Carrie Chesto of Craftsteak (MGM Grand Hotel & Casino), Lorin Watada of Bachi Burger, Barry S. Dakake of N9NE Steakhouse (Palms Casino Resort), Sam DeMarco of FIRST Food & Bar (The Shoppes at The Palazzo), Gerry Goumroian of The Great Greek, Robert Solano of Mundo (World Market Center) and Moonen. There will be a $10 entry fee to the chefs’ plaza. Tickets are available at www.vegasvalleybookfestival.org. Proceeds will benefit Three Square™ food bank and the book festival.
An outdoor stage, hosted by Nevada Public Radio’s ”Desert Companion” staff, will provide music and readings during the event. The Nevada Repertory Theater will present ”Lunch Specials,” a dance program based on one of Chef Moonen’s special recipes. The Gilcrease Orchard and Van Dyke Farms will offer a regional farmers market. A beer and wine garden will offer beverages for sale. The Junior League will provide a ”kids in the kitchen” bookmaking project for youth. Several food vendors, including Day Break Café, Sin City Kettle Corn and Curbside Café, will offer refreshments for sale. Authors will be available to sign books, and new and used books will be available for purchase through several vendors.
Several panel discussions and workshops are scheduled:
11 a.m. – ”Eating Locally in the Desert” – Moonen welcomes everyone at the opening session in the auditorium for a conversation with Amanda Burden, Gina Gavan, Carolyn Niethammer and moderator Joanne O’Hare about sourcing, preparing and sharing seasonal local foods.
12:15 p.m. – ”Blogging for Food Lovers” – Dianne Jacob leads a workshop in Room 170 for those who want to get started in food writing and blogging.
12:15 p.m. – ”Feed Me Bubbe: Recipes & Wisdom from America’s Favorite Online Grandmother” – Avrom Honig shares kosher recipes and more in Room 140.
2 p.m. – ”Eating Tomorrow: What’s New for 2012” – Andrew Kiraly moderates the book festival’s closing conversation in the auditorium with food critic John Curtas, Moonen and other local chefs forecasting future eating and cooking trends in Las Vegas.
The 10th annual Vegas Valley Book Festival will take place Nov. 3-6, with most programs scheduled at the Historic Fifth Street School. The largest literary event in Las Vegas, the book festival will bring together more than 100 authors for panel discussions, readings, book signings, workshops, poetry readings, spoken word performances, exhibitions and other special programs. Most events are free and open to the public. In addition to the popular ”Feasting on Words: The Literature and Food Fair,” the four-day festival will offer the Children’s Book Festival, Comic Book Festival, contests and awards.
Limited free parking will be available at the Lloyd D. George federal courthouse parking lot at 333 Las Vegas Blvd. South and on the street at metered spaces (no charge on Sunday). Paid parking will be available in the nearby city garage ($3 entry on Third Street between Clark and Lewis), at the Bank of America building garage ($5 entry on Third Street between Bridger and Lewis) and at other city garages downtown. No parking will be available at the Historic Fifth Street School. For more downtown parking locations and information, go online to www.lasvegasnevada.gov/parking.
The Vegas Valley Book Festival is produced by the city of Las Vegas; Las Vegas-Clark County Library District; UNLV’s Black Mountain Institute; American Institute of Graphic Arts, Las Vegas chapter; Las Vegas Review-Journal; and Nevada Humanities, a festival founder. A schedule of events and a roster of featured authors is posted online at www.vegasvalleybookfestival.org.
For more information about the Vegas Valley Book Festival, please call (702) 229-5431 or go online to www.artslasvegas.org.