Las Vegas Culinary Event 'Start Spreadin' the News' to Benefit Hurricane Sandy Victims, 12/9

Restaurants and chefs with roots in both New York City and Las Vegas have inspired a unique food and wine event to benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy: "Start Spreadin' the News." The event will take place Sunday, December 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Brooklyn Bridge at New York-New York Hotel & Casino on the famed Las Vegas Strip.

Buy Tickets Now: $100 at RedCrossLasVegas.org, NewYorkNewYork.com/Sandy

Sponsored by Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, the culinary extravaganza will welcome celebrity chefs Scott Conant from Scarpetta and D.O.C.G Enoteca at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Francois Payard from Payard Patisserie & Bistro at Caesars Palace, as well as cuisine from 22 of the city's top restaurants; six bars featuring specialty cocktails, craft beers and wines; and appearances and entertainment from Las Vegas personalities. 100 percent of the event's proceeds will go towards the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

"When it comes to the hospitality industry, Las Vegas and New York City are really sister cities," said Michael Severino of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada. "This is just a small way all of us in Las Vegas can help those who have been affected by these monster storms."

Since announced, "Start Spreadin' the News" has received an outpouring of support from the community, as nearly all of the participating restaurants and their chefs were impacted by the devastation of the superstorm.

Restaurants from across The Strip will feature an array of signature dishes and New York-inspired culinary delights:

-- Bellagio: Todd English's Olives
-- Caesars Palace: Payard Patisserie & Bistro and Rao's
-- The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas: Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, Scarpetta
and D.O.C.G. Enoteca
-- Crystals at CityCenter: Todd English P.U.B.
-- The Forum Shops at Caesars: The Palm Las Vegas
-- Mandalay Bay: Aureole
-- MGM Grand: Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak and Stage Deli
-- The Mirage: Carnegie Deli and BLT Burger
-- New York-New York: Broadway Burger, Nathan's Famous Hotdogs and
Bonanno's New York Pizza
-- Paris Las Vegas: Gordon Ramsay Steak
-- The Venetian & Palazzo: B&B Ristorante, Carnevino, Otto and Bouchon
Bakery
-- Smith & Wollensky
Bar stations provided by Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada will offer craft beers, an array of wines and five specialty cocktails handcrafted by mixologists from the United States Bartenders Guild with assistance from Back Bar USA. Paying homage to New York City, the featured libations will include "Yankee Doodle," "Forgetaboutit!," "Eastside/Westside," "The Neighborhood" and "'5' Boroughs."