Batali, Puck, Lagasse Headline Winter in Venice

Winter in Venice kicks of next Wednesday at the Venetian and Palazzo with 49 days of seasonal experiences, especially with food and beverage.

The first big event, La Cucina Italiana Food & Wine Festival, takes place Dec. 5-8 with four days of events with chefs Mario Batali, Wolfgang Puck and Cake Boss Buddy Valastro as well as butcher Dario Cecchini, Roberto Caporuscio of Don Antonio Pizza in New York City and the Wine Wise Guy Anthony Giglio.

Look for a dinner on Dec. 5 from 7 to 10 p.m. with Puck and Cecchini at CUT at the Palazzo with lively stories and a feast, featuring Cecchini's traditional Tuscan-style dishes for $250 per person.

On Dec. 6 from 7 to 11 p.m., Batali hosts the Grand Banquet with Cecchini featuring a Tuscan-style dinner for 200 in the hotel's Grand Colonnade. It will feature veal carpaccio, 24-month Galardi prosciutto, risotto with white truffle and a porchetta created by Cecchini for $500 per person.

Urbani Truffles throws a truffle hunt at Batali's B&B Ristorante, Carnevino and Otto Enoteca Pizzeria on Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day kicks off with breakfast, including Cipriani-style Bellinis and Italian coffee. Attendees will sample truffle dishes and paired wines at each venue. The three winners will receive prizes and their names will be entered into a raffle for a trip to Italy to visit the famed La Cucina Italiana Cooking School. Tickets are $150 per person.

The Culinary Clash Master Chef Competition returns for the third year with Emeril Lagasse leading the judges at Doge's Palace with chefs of the Venetian and Palazzo. This event is free and open to the public Dec. 13-14. Guests can watch chefs from the resort's properties face off in a competition that saw former SushiSamba executive chef Herb Wilson win last year.

At the same time, the Masters of Mixology brings an all-star cast of mixologists from both resorts to face off. Master mixologist Dale Degroff hosts.

The Carnival of Cuisine comes to the resort Dec. 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. with cuisine samples and wine tastings. The event benefits the Las Vegas area food pantry, Three Square. Held at The Palazzo pool, tickets are $60 general admission and $55 for Grazie members. VIP tickets are $85 general admission, or $80 for Grazie members.

For more details, head to www.venetian.com/winterinvenice.
· All Coverage of Winter in Venice [~ELV~]