ULTIMO: WEEKEND OF EXCELLENCE AT VENETIAN

The fourth annual Ultimo: Weekend of Excellence, an extravagant, no-holdsbarred celebration of the good life (think a weekend of caviar, vintage Champagnes, Rolls-royce driving experiences, and dining courtesy of some of the world’s best chefs) took place December 9–11. Masterminded by Venetian SVP of Food & Beverage Sebastien Silvestri, the theme of this year’s Ultimo was “Le Grand Voyage.” Guests, the proceeds of whose weekend packages benefited Ment’or, which assists emerging chefs, and Keep Memory Alive, enjoyed a caviar and Belvedere reception in the exclusive Paiza Club, Rolls-royce drives or hot air balloon rides in Red Rock Conservation Area, and a Dom Perignon picnic catered by Chef Thomas Keller. Highlights included the six-course Grand Banquet along a massive table that spanned the length of Venetian’s Grand Colonnade, served by Keller and other chef luminaries Ming Tsai, Curtis Stone, Paul Bartolotta, Vikram Vij, Emma Bengtsson, Jerome Bocuse, Pierre Thiam, and Shaun Hergatt. The over-the-top weekend ended with a Lalique after party in Palazzo’s Presidential Suite, with rare Patron tequila nightcaps, and a Hacienda Patron farewell brunch on Sunday morning.