Wednesday September 29, 2021
Dear Friends,
As Las Vegas begins to bring back its sparkle, ECF is doing the same at M.E.N.U.S. 2021: Glitz & Glam of Vintage Vegas at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on Friday, October 15th. This year’s event will pay homage to our great city and will feature a chic, upscale dine-around, complete with the eccentrics of the Las Vegas community. Guests at our annual event are invited to wear their sparkly and glamorous best with anything black, gold or that sparkles. See below for inspiration.
This night under the stars will be highlighted by more than 50 of the city’s finest chefs, restaurants, mixologists and beverage distributors. The evening will feature an extravagant silent auction, strolling dine-around, exciting local entertainment, chic VIP area and exclusive after party.
ECF is thrilled to announce Las Vegas legend, Wayne Newton as honoree! One of the best-known entertainers in Las Vegas, he is known by the nicknames Mr. Las Vegas and Mr. Entertainment. Mr. Newton was elected to the Gaming Hall of Fame in 2000. He has been a staple of Las Vegas since 1958 and has performed more than 30,000 shows on the Las Vegas strip. Mr. Newton is one of only two people to receive the Las Vegas’ own Medal of Honor. In addition, he was also named the "Ambassador of Goodwill" by the state of Nevada. Deep, heartfelt patriotism has always resided at the very core of Wayne Newton. Mr. Newton directed and participated in a total of 16 USO overseas tours.
Check out our amazing silent auction including a private in-home dinner for 8 by head chef and sushi manager at Nobu Hotel Las Vegas, signed Lakers and Golden Knights apparel, hotel stays, Napa experiences, wine and spirts, and so much more! Using GiveSmart will allow you to conveniently bid on items even if you’re unable to attend the fabulous event. To start bidding, click here now!
Now more than ever, we are a community and ECF promises our Las Vegas family a fulfilling experience, all for a good cause- ensuring full-ride scholarship awards to deserving Clark County students. M.E.N.U.S. 2021: Glitz & Glam of Vintage Vegas is an evening for everyone who revels in our passion for fine food, tantalizing beverages, and good conversation.
On behalf of ECF, we look forward to seeing you all at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on October 15th. As always, you can stay up to date at www.ecflv.org or by following on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
All the best,
Melissa J. Arias
ECF Executive Director
M.E.N.U.S. 2021
SILENT AUCTION
Pre-bidding is now open for select silent auction items available at M.E.N.U.S.! More items will be added every day. Click HERE to purchase tickets or click HERE to bid on silent auction items – you don’t need to be at the event to bid!
Prizes include dozens of high-end items and amenities, more being added every day!
HONORING WAYNE NEWTON
Epicurean Charitable Foundation is thrilled to honor legend, icon, world renowned, record-setting performer, Wayne Newton aka Mr. Las Vegas at M.E.N.U.S. 2021- The Glitz & Glam of Vintage Vegas!
Wayne Newton, who will make his historic and triumphal return to the landmark Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino this fall, has performed live in front of more than 40 million people during a record-setting run of 25,000-plus shows in Las Vegas, alone. Newton has recorded and released, to date, an astounding 165 albums in his career.
Wayne Newton is one of only two people to receive the city's own Medal of Honor. In addition, he was also named the "Ambassador of Goodwill" by the state of Nevada. Las Vegas continues to honor Newton by naming him one of the “Top Three Entertainers of the Century--in Nevada and around the World” along with his dear friends and fellow performers, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley.
Wayne Newton is "Mr. Las Vegas" for good reason. And he remains ever-present in the city he helped make famous.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2021 SPONSORS
PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS
2021 STUDENT REVEAL
Fundraising isn’t all we do, but all we do depends on it. Thank you to all of our donors who made it possible to support our newest class of ECF recipients.
WELCOME ECF/UNLV CLASS OF ‘25
Randy Sanchez Bonilla
High School: Southeast Career and Technical Academy
“My dream job is to be a Food and beverage director of one of the Casinos on the strip. I am excited greatly about studying under multiple mentors and receiving a one on one relationship with the top executives of the ECF family.”
Isabella Sandoval
High School: Ed. W Clark High School
“I am excited to join ECF and have a mentor who can guide me through the Hospitality industry. In addition to having the chance to know and build relationships with people in the industry before I graduate from UNLV. My dream is to be an executive pastry chef and own my own business.”
Penelope Reyes
High School: Valley High School
“I am excited to go to UNLV to pursue a post-secondary education in the event planning & the hospitality industry! Through the Epicurean Charitable Foundation, I am most looking forward to the connections and relationships I will create over the next four years. This scholarship is not only providing me with the support financially, but also academically and personally. Being a part of this family will get me out of my comfort zone and get my foot out the door!”
Leyla Alvarez
High School: Valley High School
“My dream job is to work among successful event planners all-around Las Vegas to create memorable experiences for both locals and tourists and expand my knowledge within the Event Industry! Currently attending UNLV, I am very thankful I was welcomed to such a wonderful foundation whose dedication is strictly to change underprivileged student's lives forever. I am mostly looking forward to creating lifelong relationships with my future ECF mentors and the ECF family as a whole.”
STUDENT AND GRADUATE UPDATES
Geovanni Saucedo- Congratulations, ECF/UNLV grad ’21 Geovanni Saucedo on his graduation in May and is now assistant manager for Gordon Ramsey Burger at Planet Hollywood.
Maria Mirada- ECF/UNLV class of ’19 is now manager at Kitchen at Commons Club at the new Virgin Hotel.
Valerie Nava, UNLV/ECF Class of ’24- has been appointed as the VP of Public Relations in Hospitality Toastmasters. She is also currently the VP of the UNLV College of Hospitality Wine Society.
BOARD MEMBER UPDATES
Welcome to the board- Lesley Bowman - Director of Accounting, Wyndham, Consumer Finance at Travel + Leisure Co.
Welcome to the board- Dana Howell - Vice President & Legal Counsel of MGM Resorts International
Welcome to the board- Marti Winer - Vice President at MGM Resorts Event Productions
Welcome to the board- Megan Archambault - Vice President of Sales - MGM Grand Hotel & Casino - THE SIGNATURE at MGM Grand -NEW YORK NEW YORK Hotel & Casino
For more information, please contact Melissa Arias at 702.932.5098, melissa@ecflv.org or visit the ECF website at www.ecflv.org.
