May May Bring You Lots Of Visits To Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City

As you probably know, May will be here in one day! Yay! We like May around here at Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City. The end of the month of course marks the unofficial start of summer, but the prior three weeks rocks our socks too. It’s just a feel-good month and Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, Showboat Atlantic City and Bally’s Atlantic City has some jam packed action for you leading up to Memorial Day. Take a look:

Well actually, stop, collaborate and listen for a sec. (This is our blog. We can throw in Vanilla Ice whenever we please.) Before you do anything crazy at Caesars, Harrah’s Resort, Showboat OR Bally’s, you need a good room deal, right? Have you checked out your Total AC Blog Special Offers page lately? Spring Room Packages are right at your finger tips. Check them out and get some extra goods for a great price –

Bally’s - $59 includes cocktails and dining credits, Spa pass and more!

Harrah’s Resort - $49 and can you say pool side drinks??

Caesars - $79 and Roman Bath Passes!

Showboat - Starting at $28!!

Now to the crazy. May is National Hamburger month. Can it get any crazier than that? Yes. Because Preview Bar at Bally’s will be featuring a $100 burger this month.

National Hamburger Month

Here it is. Again, crazy. That right there is 40 ounces of Kobe Beef, layered with Garlic Roasted Prime Rib and topped with The Reserve’s Port Wine Braised Short Ribs, Herbed Lardo Toasted Italian Focaccia, Pickled Tomatoes, Gorgonzola Dulce Fonduta and Balsamic Syrup.

Preview Bar along with 6ix: A Bistro at Bally’s, Café Roma at Caesars, and Crossroads At House Of Blues at Showboat will also be featuring six other special burgers every day in May. Check out the descriptions:

 

National Winner of “Best Burger” of Caesar’s Entertainment

TD’s Best Burger Award- CAC

Ground Rib eye, American cheese, black pepper Bacon and Maple Bourbon Sauce

 

The Hangover Burger- CAC

Char broiled ground Sirloin topped with fried Egg, American cheese,

tomato and home fried potatoes

 

Pizzaiola Burger

Mozzarella, Rajas and Marinara

 

Grilled Pineapple & Feta Burger

with Chardonnay Jelly

The Brisket & Short Rib Burger

Moroccan Harissa Manchego Cheese Burger

If you love a Smokey spicy burger you will love this one

 

Additionally, Bill’s Bar & Burger at Harrah’s Resort will feature a new “Burger Of The Week” every week in May to celebrate National Hamburger Month. Best part is if you order it, you get a free side of French fries or onion rings! So if you’re in the mood for a burger, definitely head over to Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City in May.

Now the first weekend in May (aka THIS WEEKEND) is a double whammy! We have the Kentucky Derby on Saturday and Cinco De Mayo.

Cinco De Mayo 3

We gave you a little preview of this weekend last week in Total AC Blog here, but what we didn’t tell you is that there will be some celeb friends in the house to help ya’ll celebrate.

Kevin Rudolf will be taking over the hosting reins this Friday at The Pool After Dark at Harrah’s Resort. You know him.

 

Sound familiar?

 

Totally appropriate.

And Saturday will not only mark the Kentucky Derby and Eve of Cinco De Mayo, but is also The Pool After Dark’s 6th Year Anniversary! It’s a party! And it’s a party hosted by Paris Hilton.

Paris Hilton

Pricing starts at $20.

Shinedown and Bush will also be gracing the House Of Blues Atlantic City stage on Saturday. Shinedown was one of the most popular shows last year at HOB AC and this year should be no different! And how can it not be, they are bringing Gavin Rossdale this time!

 

You know you want to! Get your last minute tickets, here!

The next weekend is a biggie too and it starts off with National Shrimp Day on May 10th.

National Shrimp Day

We filled you in on that one last week too, here. But ya’ll LOVE your shrimp. Get it!

Then of course Sunday is Mother’s Day. Did you get your mama anything yet? Don’t forget! Let us shower you with a couple suggestions. Is your Mom a tad more old school or does she swing a little more new school?

Jazz up the old school’s kitchen a bit with some cute “Eat At Mom’s” giftware

Eat At Mom's giftware

Or some beautiful nature-themed pieces of The Botanical Collection. Get these at Caesars Exclusively at Caesars, The Viking Cooking School at Harrah’s Resort, and The Gift Shop at Bally’s.

The Botanical Collection

Eat At Mom’s is available at The Viking Cooking School, and the gift shops at Bally’s and Showboat.

What about some Yoga Jeans for those trendsetter moms?

Second Denim Yoga Jeans

No pair is the same as each is individually hand rubbed and nicked. And they are comfortable enough to do anything in. Even yoga. Hence the name. Get them at Caesars Exclusively and Studio at The Waterfront Shops at Harrah’s.

Then there are bags; bags for days!

Big Buddha purses

The Big Buddha Spring 2013 collection has a style to match every personality. Patterned or solid, bright or dark, grab whatever fits your Mom best at Studio at Harrah’s Resort and Bally’s, Caesars Exclusively at Caesars and The Gift Shop at Showboat!

And no Mother’s Day can be complete without a little Pandora!

Pandora

The limited edition Bear Your Heart charm is currently for sale while supplies last as well as the $200 Mother’s Day bracelet set with free jewelry box! Get one or both or anything else Mama may like at Pandora at Harrah’s Resort and Caesars Exclusively!

Not so fast…don’t forget the Tiffany & Co.!

The Victoria pendant and earrings are a fabulous, classic look to surprise any mother.

Tiffany & Co. 1

You never k now when life may call for some diamonds and platinum.

Or perhaps more often, pearls!

Tiffany & Co. 2

Tiffany & Co. at The Pier Shops at Caesars has these amaze pearl bracelets with sterling silver in any size you fancy – 4-5 mm, 9-10 mm, 4.5-5 mm, and 7-8 mm.

Can never go wrong with Tiffany & Co., kids and hubs.

Another thing you can never go wrong with is some kind of pampering.

Qua Baths & Spa

For example, Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars will be offering the #1 Mother on the special day for your special ladies. This includes a full body scrub, 50 minute classic massage, organic facial and spa lunch.

And if your favorite mom wants to bring a favorite mom of hers along, the One + One would be perfect! Mamas will get to choose between a massage or facial and get to enjoy a lunch for two.

Qua is so cool, they even have the Mom-to-be covered with the One On The Way package! Treat her to a 50 minute prenatal massage, Fijian scalp massage and lunch! She is probably having your child after all.

And if your spa knowledge is lacking and you just don’t understand anything we just said, why not pick up a gift certificate at Red Door Spa at Harrah’s Resort?

Red Door Spa

Every $200 spent here gets you a $30 spa card that can be used on any spa special or retail item until July 31st. Nice!

For all you children of the ‘80s and ‘90s turned Mamas, leave the kids at home this Mother’s Day weekend ‘cause it’s time to party!

The Pool After Dark will have Mr. Belding hosting Aqua Fridays on May 10th and Ben Savage…aka Cory Matthews taking over the mic on May 11th!

Mr Belding Dennis Haskins 1
Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?!
Ben Savage
I, Cory Matthews, am a PO-TAY-TO.

Take it back to those carefree days for two nights only! It’s gonna be hot!

And don’t forget the food! At the very least, a nice meal will suffice. Nero’s Tuscan Steakhouse at Caesars will be hosting a nice Mother’s Day Brunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. while Café Roma will be offering a 3 course menu for $24.95.

Sammy D’s at Harrah’s Resort will also have a 3 course menu handy that day for $24 and Dos Caminos will be whipping up some Mama’s Margaritas and some special Lobster Guacamole and  Pescado en Cazuela Veracruzano.

French Quarter Buffet will be open for brunch with champagne for Mother’s at Showboat from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Scarduzio’s Steak & Sushi will feature their Chicken Parmesan over spaghetti later on.

And finally, 6ix: A Bistro at Bally’s will offer a 3 course menu for $28.99 and Arturo’s will have a special 4 course menu for $34.99.

All properties will also be serving up Breakfast in Bed until 2 p.m. from May 10th to May 12th.

Woo!

And the last weekend BEFORE the unofficial start of summer might as well be the official start of summer because ya’ll are in for a fun ride yet AGAIN.

Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City will have something for everyone on Friday, May 17th starting with a Cupcakes & Cocktails event hosted by Vive Salon & Day Spa at the Foundation Room at Showboat.

Hope Cuts

We don’t know many people cupcakes and/or cocktails won’t work for. We know they would work for us. And even more special is that proceeds from this event will go to Hope Cuts to support breast cancer research. $20 gets you cupcakes, a $40 goodie bag, live music and the feeling that you did something good. Be there from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

From there, you rockers should head over to the Chevelle show at House Of Blues at 9 p.m., and you country folk should hit up the Trace Adkins show at Caesars.

Trace Adkins

It’s been some time since Caesars has seen such a big country act, not to mention one of the sexiest voices in the game!

And you past/present teeny boppers will love hanging out with Mya later on at The Pool After Dark! Catch the Grammy award winner perform live! Pricing starts at $10.

Starting back at 9 on Saturday the 18th, Brian McKnight will take over the Concert Venue at Harrah’s Resort!

 

Who wouldn’t want to listen to these smooth sounds? Candy to our ears.

And what better way to end this weekend then at The Pool After Dark with the newly inducted Chippendale, former 90210 and Dancing With The Stars alum, Ian Ziering.

Ian Ziering

Yes, please. Maybe he can preview some moves for us before he starts his run at The Rio in Vegas on June 6th.

We don’t know about you, but all that was a huge mouthful for us leading you up until Memorial Day weekend. That weekend of course deserves its own blog full of even more sarcasm, wit and ridiculousness, but let us just tempt you with the following words: Bikini Beach Bar OPEN, Sean Lowe THE BACHELOR, Blues Traveler, Mary J. Blige, Robin Leach and SOMEONE WILL BECOME A MILLIONAIRE.

Until then….get to Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City in May. Didn’t we give you enough reasons? Take advantage of the Spring Room Packages on the Special Offers page and get to it! May’s a tickin!

 

Top 6 Best Named Beers We Hope To See At Atlantic City Beer Week

Atlantic City Beer Week is going down! This extra amazing event will take place at Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, Showboat Atlantic City and Bally’s Atlantic City April 4th through April 12th. We’ll give you all the 411 in a sec, but first, check out the Top 6 Best Named Beers we hope to see from Atlantic City Beer Week participating breweries.

In no particular order:

1. Bitches Brew from Dogfish Head Brewery

Bitches Brew

All you beer fanatics knew we were gonna say this one, didn’t you? Named after the popular 1970 Miles Davis album, the bottle is adorned with the respective album artwork. This brew is a dark one with “three threads of imperial stout and one thread of honey beer with gesho root”. It’s the avant-garde of beers and likewise is only available in limited quantities. The experts say that Bitches Brew goes best with chilli, spicy curry chicken and creamy blue cheese.

 

2. Trogenator Double Bock from Troegs Brewing Company

Trogenator Double Bock

If you could hear us right now, you would know that we are speaking in our best Arnold Schwarzenegger Terminator voice because that’s what the word Trogenator brings to mind. Is it a robot? Is it a super hero? No, it’s a dark lager, ya’ll. The nose on it is said to be a “bready malt”. This bronze beauty can keep you full for a good period of time. As Troegs says, the Trogenator gives you “warmth and nourishment all throughout the year”. That’s right, it’s available all year long. And you can taste a little spice on it. Best food pairings for this one are beef and sweet desserts sans chocolate.

 

3. Mama’s Little Yella Pils from Oskar Blues Brewery

Mama's Little Yella Pils

Pilsner = type of pale lager. And we’re guessing this one is yella. LOLz. Funny. It’s made with “100% pale malt, German specialty malts and Saaz hops”. Not too heavy and refreshing. Good for this time of the year and a nice go-to anytime/any day beer.

 

4. Old Chub Scotch Ale from Oskar Blues Brewery

Old Chub

Old Chub. These people are geniuses, we tell ya! Made with a boatload of grains, malted barley and “beechwood smoked malt”. Dark and sweet. Think all of your favs – chocolate, coffee…need we say more? Oh yeah, caramel. Hence the old chub, we guess. And apparently is a little smokey on the last gulp. Supposedly great with most buttery cheeses and smoked meats.

 

5. Merry Monks by Weyerbacher Brewery

Merry Monks

Are monks merry? We guess so! And do they like beer? Looks like it! Whatever the case, this one is a Belgian style Tripel with a creamy texture due to a little yeast and sugar added before bottling. Tastebuds detect a little banana here and the finish is a little dry. If you’re into the dry, just age it a bit. Don’t dig in right away. Merry Monks is available all year long. Said to be good with Meditteranean cuisine, sharp cheeses and pork!

 

6. Honkers Ale by Goose Island

Honkers Ale

Beep, beep. Honk, honk! Make room for this English style ale. Fruity to the nose and rich and malty to the tummy. This is probably because it is made with 2 row, caramel, and roasted wheat barley malts. Honkers is another year round beer and is best with a burger or fish and chips if you want to get down with the culture of the ale.

 

Now that you got through our childish behavior of funny beer names, let us fill you in on the details. Atlantic City Beer Week will feature special beer selections, pairings, dinners and demonstrations at Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City properties. Browse details by property:

Caesars Atlantic City

Mia

Six-Course Dinner

Thursday, April 4th

7:30 p.m.

Six-course dinner featuring  Scratch Batch and Nugget Nectar Draft from Troegs Brewery, Head Rhizing Bines Draft and Head Sixty-One Draft from Dogfish Head Brewery, ESA in a Firkin from Yards Brewery, Ten Fiddy Draft from Oskar Blues  Brewery and Merry Monks Draft from Weyerbacher Brewery.

Brooklyn Brewery Takeover

Friday, April 5th – Friday, April 12th

 

Main Lobby

April 5th – 7th

Check out the following drafts in the Main Lobby the weekend of April 5th – 7th:

-          Troegs Nugget Nectar and then Scratch Batch #89

-          Yards Brewing Selection

-          Weyerbacher Merry Monks Draft

-          Oskar Blues Ten Fiddy

-          Dogfish Head Sixty-One and then Rhizzing Bines

 

Toga Bar 

Friday, April 5th – Friday, April 12th

During this period, Toga Bar will feature selections from Dogfish Head Brewery, Yards Brewery, Troegs Brewery, Oskar Blues Brewery, Weyerbacher Brewery and more!

The following will be on tap on April 5th:

-           Troegs Nugget Nectar

-          Weyerbacher Last Chance IPA

-          Allagash White

-          Stone Arrogant Bastard

-          Oskar Blues Dales Pale Ale

-          Yards Brawler

-          Dogfish Head Indian Brown

-          Lagunitas IPA

-          Sly Fox Pilsner

-          Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale

-          Ballast Point Sculpin

 

The following will be available in 12 or 16 oz. bottles on April 5th:

-          Rogue Dead Guy Ale

-          Flying Dog  Ragin Bitch Belgian IPA

-          Sixpoint Resin

-          Founders Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale

-          Terrapin Rye Pale Ale

-          River Horse Special

-          Brewworks Hopsolutely Triple IPA

-          21st Ammendment Back in Black

-          Boulder Brewing Hazed and Infused

-          Abita Purple Haze

-          Breckenridge Vanilla Porter

 

Phillips Seafood at The Pier Shops

Suds, Surf and Turf

Wednesday, April 10th

7 p.m.

Enjoy a five-course menu with a beer pairing presented by Tuckahoe Brewing. Local beer expert Gary Monterosso of The History Channel’s The Epic  History Of Every Day Things will be hosting the event that will feature a live cooking demonstration from Chef Paul Drew, prizes, giveaways and more!

 

Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City

Dos Caminos

Thursday, April 4th – Friday, April 12th

During this period, Dos Caminos will offer $5 Dos Equis and Coronas with free chips and salsa!

 

Bill’s Bar & Burger 

Thursday, April 4th – Friday, April 12

Take advantage of $9 Burger and Beer specials with $3 Cold Ass Beer drafts!

Other available drafts:

-Sam Adam’s Alpine Spring

-Sam Adam’s Summer Lager

-Blue Moon Belgian White

-Great Lake’s Commodore Perry IPA

-Brooklyn Lager

-Crispin Hard Cider – (Ask about Mixology)

-Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat

-Leinenkugel’s Canoe Paddler

-Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy

-Henry Weinhard’s Woodland Pass IPA

Available Bottles:

-Victory Prima Pils

-Victory Golden Monkey

-Pilsner Urquel

-Chimay Rouge

-Orval Trappist Ale

-Blue Point Blueberry Ale

-Ithaca Apricot Wheat

-Abita Amber

-Riverhorse Hop Hazard

-Lagunita’s IPA

-Victory Hop Devil

-Victory Hop Wallop

-Hoegaarden

-Magic Hat Circus Boy

-Magic hat #9

-Paulaner Hefe-Weisse

-Tröegs Dreamweaver Wheat

-Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout

-Smutty Robust Porter

-Troegs Java Head

 

Sammy D’s

Thursday, April 4th – Friday, April 12

More specials! Choose from Wings or Cheesesteak Dumplings for the $9 Bar-Bites-And-A-Beer special and indulge in a $3 Cold Ass Beer draft!

Other Available Drafts:

-Sam Adam’s Boston Lager

-Blue Moon

-Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat

-Henry Weinhard’s Woodland Pass IPA

Available Bottles:

-Abita Turbodog

-Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA

-Magic Hat #9

-Six Point Sweet Action

 

Luke Palladino

Thursday, April 4th – Friday, April 12

Crack open an $8 Peroni with some Grissini. (Luke’s grissini is to die for, btw!)

 

Eden Lounge Happy Hour

Thursday, April 4th – Friday, April 12

4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

$5 craft drafts. Speaks for itself.

Available Drafts:

-Dogfish 90 Minute IPA

-Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

-Pranqster

-Unita Wyld

-Flying Fish Red Fish

-Tröegs Dreamweaver

-NJ Garden State Stout

-Stone Arrogant Bastard

-Manayunk Monk from the Yunk

 

X-Bar

Thursday, April 4th – Friday, April 12

Available Drafts:

-Lagunitas IPA

-Brooklyn 25th Anniversary

-Third Shift Lager

-Leinenkugel’s Canoe Paddler

-Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy

-Batch 19

-Chelsea Brewing Company Checker Cab Blond Ale

 

Viking Cooking School will also hold demos from Brooklyn Brewery, Gary Monterosso and Goose Island Brewery! Keep checking back for official dates and times!

 

Bally’s Atlantic City

Preview Bar

Thursday, April 4th – Friday, April 12th

Enjoy a Brooklyn Lager, Magic Hat Humdinger or Sam Adams Seasonal draft here!

 

Lobby Bar 

Thursday, April 4th – Friday, April 12th

Lobby Bar will be offering up Magic Hat Seasonal drafts, Flying Fish Extra Pale Ale, and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

 

Atlantic City Country Club 

Thursday, April 4th & 11th, Friday, April 5th & 12th & Saturday, April 6th

$3 Drafts, $5 Cocktails, Martinis & Wine By The Glass, and $5 Appetizer Bar Bites.

 

Also score additional beer flights with any $39 Fine Dining menu at Caesars, Harrah’s Resort, Showboat or Bally’s any time from Thursday, April 4th to Friday, April 12th. Take advantage of our Virtually Free sale, get here & drink up!

 

New Fall Classes Pop Up at The Viking Cooking School at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City

Remember when we were like the first blog ever to partake in a class at The Viking Cooking School at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City? And remember how cool it was?

Well, Viking has some totally festive classes coming up in October that will make you all jolly about the fall season. First up there is a new Fall/Winter Pasta Workshop. Eye-popping fall-ish dishes you will create here include the Herbed Pasta with Red Wine and Mushrooms (Chef Luke Palladino totes called this one earlier in the month) and Pumpkin Ravioli with Sage Butter. Mmm. Nice and sweet.

If the Pumpkin Ravioli with Sage Butter just isn’t enough of this gourdish squash, just wait. The Great Pumpkin class still has spots ready and waiting for you in both of the October sessions. Here all you pumpkins will be getting pumpkin in every recipe that you will probably leave smelling like a pumpkin and be over the moon about it. That’s the way the pumpkin crumbles. Anyway, this class will feature Roasted Pumpkin Bisque served in a Pumpkin Tureen, Pumpkin Seed-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry-Apple Chutney (noms), Salad Greens with Pumpernickel Croutons, Shaved Parmesan and Pumpkin Seed Oil Vinaigrette, and Pumpkin and Potato Gratin with Bacon and Gruyère Cheese. Is that enough for ya? And hey, if the Great Pumpkin comes, put in a good word for us.

Viking Cooking School

Roasted Pumpkin Bisque

Next, they got some Oktoberfest going on. More than once too. You can keep Oktoberfest going all month long here. The Viking Cooking School was sure to nail down all the German staples for you in this class like Homemade Soft Pretzels, Wild Mushroom and Spinach Strudel, Grilled German Sausages with Caramelized Onions and Mustard, Black Forest Chocolate Cupcakes (mmhmm) and of course….Bavarian BEER Cheese Spread! We wonder what the special cocktail for this one will be. Hmm.

If you want something a little more formal, they gotcha covered too with the Entertaining Fall Dinner Party class. You’ll get the tools for a rad appetizer through dessert menu that even the challenged culinarian can pull off. Smoked Wild Mushroom Bisque – BAM. Baby Spinach and Grilled Sweet Pepper Salad – BAM. Pumpkinseed-Crusted Chicken Breasts – BAM. Quick and easy individual Chocolate Cakes with Grand Marnier Crème Anglaise – BAM. Standard.

Starting on Sunday, October 28th, you’ll def be the best game day stop in town after three glorious hours of Viking’s Tailgate Party class. Here you’ll put a spin on classic football foods with Tuscan Antipasto Stuffed Bread, Dry-Rub Barbecued Shrimp Skewers with Remoulade Dipping Sauce, Bacon-Wrapped Grilled Stuffed Jalapeños, Game Day Deviled Eggs, Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars, Hot Buffalo Chicken Dip with Pita Chips and Celery, Bring Your Own Meat Kebabs with Assorted Marinades and Sauces, Parking Lot Party Punch anddddd Spiked Ginger Lemonade, people.

And of course October wraps up looking towards November. Duh. With Traditional Thanksgiving. If this is your first year hosting the holiday, then you might want to get on this. You don’t want to be the one with the burnt turkey. Aside from the gobbler, you’ll also be prepped on the makings of Apple and Sausage Stuffing, Bourbon Gravy, Caramelized Onion and Squash Tart, Sweet Peas with Bacon and Wild Onions, and Cranberry Pear Crisp for a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Oh yeah and just so you know, there will only be one Designer Halloween Cookie Workshop, so sign up now.

Viking Cooking School 2

We want.

If you want to WIN entry into one of these classes, you should absolutely enter our Facebook Live The Life Sweepstakes this week. New prize packages will be awarded each week up until November 19th, and this week you are entering for a Viking Cooking School gift card along with 3 nights at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, a stab at the Spontaneous Tasting Menu at Luke Palladino at Harrah’s with Chef Luke Palladino, dinner at Mia at Caesars Atlantic City with a tableside presentation by Chef Chris Scarduzio AND a tasting of the tapas menu at The Foundation Room at Showboat Atlantic City. Wow! Enter here until October 1st to get yourself in the running to score The Ultimate Foodie Package.

And if any of these new Viking Cooking School showdowns at Harrah’s Resort turn your crank, check the calendar and go!

Happy Culinarian’s Day From Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City!

Happy National Culinarian’s Day!

Whether you are a professional chef, or just one for fun, you should be sure to celebrate with the culinarians of culinarians (too  many culinarians?) this weekend at the 2012 Atlantic City Food And Wine Festival.

2012 Atlantic City Food And Wine Festival

This humungo shindig starts up tomorrow night with a Poolside Launch Party hosted by top TV personalities Andrew Zimmern and Anne Burrell at 8 p.m. at The Pool After Dark at Harrah’s Resort and continues alllll weekend long until the last event on Sunday, a book signing with Paula Deen, at 1:30 p.m. at the Circus Maximus Theater at Caesars Atlantic City. (Other food stars will also be signing throughout the weekend such as Nadia G, Buddy Valastro, Tyler Florence and Anne Burrell. Click here to check the schedule and buy tickets).

A Grand Market & Italian Village session will be held each day (Friday through Sunday…and 2 on Saturday, score!) for you to stock up on an array of good eats, drinks and cooking gear, and learn some worthy technique from some of the country’s most respected chefs and cooking experts.

Some of the other many fab events of the weekend include Define Cheese-Steak with Andrew Zimmern on Friday at 8 p.m. at Showboat Atlantic City, Phillips Seafood’s Spiked Brunch (yes, please) at 1 p.m. on Saturday at The Pier Shops at Caesars Atlantic City, and Sweet & Stylish featuring Robert Irvine, Buddy Valastro, Nadia G, Paula Deen, Diane Henderiks, and Ruby Wesley at 8 p.m. on Saturday at Caesars.

See what event strikes your last minute fancy here. You’ll be so glad you did. Who doesn’t like food…and wine?

Bottoms up for the culinarians!

 

Hey, Buddy (Valastro…at Atlantic City Food And Wine)!

Remember at the beginning of the week when we told you about our night with Aarón Sanchez? Well, guess who bumped into him during his time in Atlantic City?

Aarón Sanchez and Buddy Valastro

Buddies....too much?

Buddy Valastro!

This picture was taken from the Cake Boss’ twitter last week.

Buddy should just go ahead and set up residence in Atlantic City because he will be back again in four weeks for the 2012 Atlantic City Food And Wine Festival. As part of this year’s festivities, Chef Buddy will be teaching a class of easily prepared dishes at Viking Cooking School at Harrah’s Resort on Saturday, July 28th from noon until 1 p.m. Culinary enthusiasts of all skill levels are welcome to attend. Click here to sign up for this amazeballs event.

And if you need more Cake Boss in your life during AC Food And Wine weekend, click here to secure a ticket to Buddy’s book signing on July 28th from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Circus Maximus Theater at Caesars Atlantic City. Guests will receive a copy of Buddy’s latest work of words (recipes): Baking With The Cake Boss: 100 of Buddy’s Best Recipes.

To learn about the other glorious happenings at 2012 Atlantic City Food And Wine, visit acfoodandwine.com and/or check out our earlier golden post here.

 

 

New Classes & Celebs at Viking Cooking School Plus 10 Questions with Chef Malcolm Mitchell

June is shaping up to be an exciting month at Viking Cooking School at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City.

The school is in the process of introducing seven new classes, three of which, Date Night: Playing With Fire, Vegas Steakhouse, and Girls’ Night Out: Bahama Mamas, are on this month’s calendar.

Three celebrity chefs will get into the kitchen and host their very own classes including Chef Sam DeMarco of the popular Sammy D’s at Harrah’s. Sammy will teach lucky students the secret to creating mouthwatering appetizers including his popular Cheese Steak Dumplings, Spicy Chicken Drumettes, and Pork Eggrolls. Cocktails And Cravings: Keepin’ It Hot! With Celebrity Chef Sammy D will happen on June 29th at 6:30 p.m. Sign up here!

Chef Chris Nirschel from last season of Food Network Star will also make a stop at Viking to host Cocktails and Cravings: Italian 101. Perfect meal and outing (and eye candy…yeah, we said it) for a girls night out. And another Food Network Star chef from the current season, Malcolm Mitchell, will show you Viking groupies some Southern Specialties on June 17th. Attendees of this special class are in for some even more VIP treatment after the class as all are invited to a special screening of Malcolm in action on the show.

Malcolm Mitchell

We actually chatted it up with Chef Malcolm recently and this is what he had to say:

TAC: We currently know you from season 8 of The Next Food Network Star. I know you can’t say much since the show is still airing, but share one of your best experiences of the show with us.

Malcolm Mitchell: My Best Experience was the opportunity to work with Bobby Flay.

TAC: You have cooked on television and also have a culinary show on talk radio, “Choppin It Up With The Chef” on Radio One. Which do you prefer?

Malcolm Mitchell:  I prefer TV, they get to see me and my style of food. Gives me an opportunity to connect with my audience.

TAC: What inspires you in creating new dishes?

Malcolm Mitchell: A lot of things inspire me, specifically on the show it was my mother being from Charleston, SC. That is also my inspiration for my 1st restaurant. As I travel, I get inspired as well. The need for someone to enjoy my food is another I must add.

TAC: You draw from so many different cuisine types in your cooking. What flavor combination that you created are you most proud of and why?

Malcolm Mitchell: Yes and that is due to being a Personal Chef, having to meet so many requests. From the show I must say on Episode 3 my Cognac, Pineapple Flambe’ with Chipotle Chocolate Sauce and Toasted Coconut. This was definitely an inspiration from my mom, she would always make pineapple & coconut flavored tea, etc.

TAC: What are your top five favorite meals of all time?

Malcolm Mitchell: Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna, Chilean Sea Bass w/ a Tomato Basil Ragu, and A GOOD STUFF BURGER.

TAC: What are some must have ingredients everyone should always keep stocked in their kitchen?

Malcolm Mitchell: Garlic, Fresh Herbs, Lucini Olive Oil and Delverde Pasta.

TAC: Give us a little sneak peak on what students can expect from your class at The Viking School.

Malcolm Mitchell: High Energy, lots of fun with simple and soulful recipes.

TAC: What food and/or restaurants are you excited to try during your stay here in AC?

Malcolm Mitchell:  Luke Palladino’s  I like a lot. After reading the reviews I think I may try Atlantic Grill in Caesars.

TAC: You also do a lot of work against child obesity and even developed a school lunch service program called “Brian Food” that keeps nutritionally balanced meals in schools. What are the top key points parents should keep in mind when preparing every day meals for their children?

Malcolm Mitchell: Try to use the freshest ingredients,  make food fun so they want to try it, and stay away from fast food as much as possible.

TAC: And something else you do in your “spare time” -you are also a personal chef for celebs. Can you tell us the most elaborate menu you put together for a celebrity?

Malcolm Mitchell:  Don Julio’s Brand Menu:

1st Course

Chilled Borracho Shrimp with Micro Green Salad Heirloom Yellow Tomatoes & Grilled Tomato Tequila Puree

Main Course

Pan Roasted Marinated Baby Lamb Chops with Don Julio Reposado Garlic Cilantro Sauce

&

Southwestern Petit Crab Cakes w/Herb Remoulade

Accompanied With

Garlic Yucca Mash

Steamed Spring Vegetable Bundle

Dessert Course

Tres Tequila Cake with AgaveCarmelGrilled Glazed Pineapple

Hazelnut Ice Cream & Toasted Coconuts

(With Infused Shot Provided By Mixologist)

 

The Viking Cooking School Can Teach You How To Make Banana Leaf-Wrapped Snapper

There’s certainly something for everyone here in Atlantic City, and for those of you who like a good meal (seriously, who doesn’t?), in addition to mouth-watering restaurants, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City is the only place that offers a more hands on approach.

We were lucky enough to take a class at The Viking Cooking School (Yes, a blog at a cooking class…maybe that’s why the other students were looking at us funny. Do you think we could make the Guiness Book Of World Records for that?) and we want to share part of our delicous experience with you, our loyal readers. And there are probably so many of you considering this blog just launched. Moving on.

We liked this class from the start because we got a snack.

Viking Cooking School Snack

Nom noms.

And a cocktail of lemony goodness, Sierra Mist and rum.

Viking Cooking Class Cocktail

Jealous?

As part of the Thai Taste Explosions class, we learned how to make Banana-Leaf Wrapped Snapper (among lots of other things).

We started by making the foundation of the sauce which included garlic, cilantro, green onion and kaffir lime leaves. Grinding these ingredients together in a food processor makes a nice paste.

Viking Cooking School Banana Leaf-Wrapped Red Snapper Paste

An array of green goodness.

In a separate container (or measuring cup) you mix coconut milk, tamarind and yogurt together.

Viking Cooking Class Banana Leaf-Wrapped Snapper Sauce

White stuff.

Then you add some curry and the paste in a pan with some fish oil. Wait until the aroma is released and add the rest of the sauce or as we liked to call it, the white stuff. After mixing, reduce to medium heat.

Banana Leaf-Wrapped Snapper Viking Cooking School Fish Sauce

Voila!

Now it’s time for the red snapper.

Viking Cooking School Red Snapper

Raw fish. Yum.

Pat those babies down with a bit of salt and pepper.

Salt and peppered red snapper

A little (or a lot) s&p never hurt nobody.

Then add a little lemon juice.

Lemon juiced red snapper

When life hands you lemons, make banana leaf-wrapped snapper.

And wrap! Shiny side down.

Banana Leaf-Wrapped Snapper

It's like a body wrap...but for fish.

Then it’s time to bake in the oven. This is not supposed to be sushi. Twenty minutos at 400 degrees.

To see the final product topped with the yummy curry sauce, you should probably take the class at The Viking Cooking School yourself. We were too busy eating to show you. Sorry. Trust us when we say it was a party in our mouth. If a blog can do it, you can.

Check out the class schedule here and sign up for one!