The Venetian Las Vegas to Host ULTIMO - A WEEKEND OF EXCELLENCE, 12/5-7

The Venetian Las Vegas will host the city's culinary event of the year, Ultimo - A Weekend of Excellence, Dec. 5-7. Featuring lavish feasts of the finest food and extraordinary experiences from an A-team of luxury brands, Ultimo will celebrate the romance of Italy and the magic of its cuisine, as it unfolds around The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas.

This special winter weekend of luxury experiences will include the return of the Venetian's Grand Banquet, a landmark collaboration between several of the world's best culinary celebrities, including Chefs Daniel Boulud, Emeril Lagasse, and Buddy "Cake Boss" Valastro.

Introduced in 2013, the Grand Banquet spans the iconic Grand Colonnade of The Venetian on a spectacular single table that seats nearly 200 people. This sumptuous setting -- with its meal fit for royalty -- was called "the grandest meal ever served in Las Vegas" by last year's host Chef Mario Batali.

The event is presented in conjunction with Robb Report magazine and Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada, and will benefit the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

Ultimo -- A Weekend of Excellence will feature an entire experience for guests:

The Arrival

On Friday, guests who fly into McCarran International Airport (or any of the private options in Las Vegas) will be driven to The Venetian in a Bentley or Rolls-Royce, or one of the resort's limousines. Check-in will be provided at the exclusive VIP lounge, and each guest will be escorted to a luxurious suite, including a choice of premium suites that are normally reserved for "high-roller" casino guests.

The first social affair, the Welcome Reception at fine jewelry and watch boutique Bellusso, will feature caviar, champagne and a showing of sophisticated timepieces. The party will then move on to the Grand Colonnade for a dinner of a lifetime, The Grand Banquet.

The Grand Banquet

One would have to travel to Europe to find a meal with a similar romantic setting as the weekend's main event: The Grand Banquet. In fact, the banquet will be served within the stunning and iconic Grand Colonnade, amid authentic frescoes hand painted by Italian artists, 25-foot columns of Botticino marble, and floors inspired by the Church of Santa Maria del Rosario. Spanning the Grand Colonnade, a spectacular single table will seat nearly 200 people, a breathtaking setting that follows a European trend to host grand community meals in the most impressive public spaces.

To ensure that the meal matches the superb setting, the weekend's hosts-Chefs Boulud, Lagasse, and Valastro-will reign over the food presentations, leaving time to mingle with guests throughout the dining experience. To highlight each incredible course, winemakers from top wineries worldwide will be on hand to introduce their new- and old-world pours, including some new releases saved for this very night. Fabulous live entertainment and an auction for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health will bring this magical evening to a close.

Very few people have the opportunity to attend an event that so eloquently blends the finest Italian food with extraordinary vintages from renowned Italian wine producers.

Saturday Haute Experiences

Saturday gets rolling with a fabulous French Brunch with Daniel Boulud at his new db Brasserie restaurant, which was recently named "Best New Fine Dining" by Vegas Seven magazine. Guests will load up on French-American classics and bubbly before heading out on one of four luxury experiences, that range from relaxing to thrilling.

The Venetian has curated four 'Haute Experience' options for Saturday afternoon. Through our luxury partners, guests can participate in unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities tailored just for them:

· JUST SAY AHH...

Guests who come to Vegas to relax and unwind will look no further than The Venetian's famed Canyon Ranch SpaClub. Guests will sit back and enjoy the spa's world-famous facilities (including experiential rains, HydroSpa, and herbal-infused laconium), then melt into the treatments of their dreams. They will take the relaxation home, with a generous gift bag courtesy of Canyon Ranch.

· FASHION INSIDER

The Venetian is planning a super-exclusive fashion extravaganza just for Ultimo's most fashion-minded guests, put together by one of our favorite brands. This intimate event will be a once-in-a-lifetime peek into the evolving role of Las Vegas in high fashion, including insider access to a current collection and how pieces are chosen for the experience. The Las Vegas Strip, with its unique global clientele, continues to grow as a top shopping destination in part by offering many one-of-a-kind pieces not sold anywhere else-this fascinating event is a must for anyone with a love of fashion.

· NEED FOR SPEED

Ultimo's luxury-car partners are putting together a race car experience of a lifetime. Together with Exotics Racing, guests can learn to drive those cars the way they're made to be driven- as fast as possible, around a racetrack. The experience includes an opportunity to hit the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in one of these special cars, with a pro driver in the passenger seat. The 1.2-mile racetrack was designed by a stunt driver who worked with Matt Damon in The Bourne Identity, and it features seven thrilling turns and a 1,800-foot straightaway.

· BAKING WITH THE BOSS

This unforgettable culinary weekend wouldn't be complete without at least some guests hitting the kitchen. Buddy "Cake Boss" Valastro, a fourth-generation baker who inherited the nickname from his father, knows his way around a sweet tooth. Guests will learn from the best during this private baking class, where you'll participate in baking to-die-for cakes worthy of bakeries of the highest level.

The Weekend Continues

A memorable Dine-Around in the Palazzo Waterfall Atrium & Gardens will give guests a taste of The Venetian and The Palazzo's hot spots Carnevino (by Mario Batali), Buddy V's Ristorante (by Buddy Valastro), CUT Steakhouse (by Wolfgang Puck), Bouchon (by Thomas Keller), Delmonico Steakhouse (by Emeril Lagasse), and db Brasserie (by Daniel Boulud).

The after-party will be a private soiree in a special Richard Hennessey Lounge in the exclusive high-roller Paiza Club, with desserts by Valastro, fine liquors, and premier cigars.

Sunday's Truffle Farewell Brunch will boast a meal to dream about -- using delicious in-season truffles, organic farm-fresh eggs, and premium beef -- with Lagasse hosting at his award-winning Delmonico Steakhouse.

The only way to experience Ultimo in its entirety is to stay overnight. Deluxe packages combine prime access to weekend events with a suite at The Venetian or The Palazzo. Packages include

· Ultimo Suite Package

The Ultimo Package offers the highest level of service and amenities to further enhance a weekend of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Penthouse accommodations, two seats at The Grand Banquet and all of the weekend's biggest culinary events are included in this exclusive package.

· Diamond Suite Package

The Diamond Package treats guests to exquisite suite accommodations and all of the weekend's biggest culinary events, including The Grand Banquet, Brunch with Daniel Boulud, the Dine Around, the Truffle Farewell Brunch at Emeril Lagasse's Delmonico Steakhouse, and more.

· Platinum Suite Package

Participate in some of the weekend's most spirited events with the Platinum Package, including the Welcome Reception at Bellusso and dessert by the "Cake Boss" in the exclusive Paiza Lounge, as well as Ultimo's crowning dining experience, The Grand Banquet.

· Gold Suite Package

The Gold Package offers guests a taste of the Ultimo experience with some of the best culinary events offered throughout the weekend, such as Brunch with Daniel Boulud, the Dine Around and the Truffle Farewell Brunch, as well as other delightful amenities.

For more information on these events, or exclusive suite packages, visit www.venetian.com/ultimo.

2014 EVENT SCHEDULE:

Friday, December 5

6pm-7pm

Welcome Reception
Bellusso Jewelers

Caviar and Champagne welcome reception at the Bellusso boutique, showcasing watches and fine jewelry.

7pm-11pm

The Grand Banquet
Grand Colonnade

A landmark family-style feast at one stunning table that spans the iconic Venetian Grand Colonnade, prepared by chefs Daniel Boulud and Emeril Lagasse. Buddy Valastro is preparing the decadent desserts, and wine pairings will be presented by top winemakers from all over the world. A live auction for Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and live entertainment finish this dazzling first night.

Saturday, December 6

10am-11:30am

Brunch with Daniel Boulud
db Brasserie

Brunch with Boulud kicks off Saturday with bubbles and loads of delicious brasserie food.

12pm-3pm

Haute Experiences

Choose from four once-in-a-lifetime Haute Experiences:

· Just Say Ahh...

Unwind with the spa experience of a lifetime at Canyon Ranch SpaClub.

· Fashion Insider

A private high-fashion experience with one of our favorite brands.

· Need for Speed

Join our luxury-car partners for a spin around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway-with you at the wheel.

· Baking with the Boss

An only-in-Vegas private baking class with the Cake Boss himself, Buddy Valastro.

7pm-11pm

Dine Around
Waterfall Atrium and Gardens & Paiza Club

Saturday night in Vegas kicks it up a notch with a fabulous reception featuring The Venetian hot spots, followed by a private party in the exclusive Paiza Club high-rollers lounge.

Sunday, December 7

10am-12pm

Truffle Farewell Brunch
Delmonico Steakhouse

Farewell brunch at Emeril Lagasse's famed Delmonico Steakhouse.

For prices and more information on these events, and exclusive suite packages, visit www.venetian.com/ultimo.

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