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I really can’t lie to you. It’s late. I’m tired. I had a lot of food at Barmasa and then at Union at Aria Resort. I sat through Viva Elvis and when I saw Elvis swimming with Priscilla I got a little emotional. Don’t worry, I had a slider at Union that made me feel better. I then finished off my Viva Elvis drink that was a little on the sweet side but it kept me hydrated while those crazy acrobats kept my mind occupied during the show. I also had a few conversations with some guy who loves beef way too much and a girl who was just a tiny bit too excited about free wine. I had to have these conversations as a women, maybe she was a girl, gyrated right over my shoulder on the go-go stage.

Does this seem strange to you?

I know, me too. It’s what I do. It’s what I do to pay the bills and so that I can afford all those flip flops and cargo shorts that I should have grown out of long ago.

That was the first day of the Food & Wine All Star Weekend at Aria Resort. I can guarantee you that today as I sit with Jean Georges Vongerichten discussing his steakhouse I’ll be treated to some buttery beef that will make me question if vegetarians are aliens. I’ll probably invite Michael Mina on a camping trip where I’ll make him recreate some of his American Fish dishes. I’ll then spend a long lunch at Sage with Chef Shawn McClain and Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard. Just know that if I’m at Sage I’ll most likely indulge in some Absinthe. (FYI – Me + Absinthe can be a volatile combination)

Tonight is the All Star Tasting at the Food & Wine All Star Weekend so I’ll be loading up on samples from Sirio Ristorante, Julian Serrano as well as some cheftestants such as Yigit Pura, Angelo Sossa and Sam Talbot. There will be plenty of good food so I might go a little overboard and eat too much. It’s what I do.

I’ll end the night at HAZE Nightclub at Aria in some dark VIP booth with bottles everywhere and a huge guy not letting anyone pass the velvet ropes. I’ll feel like one of those Jersey Shore guys and I’ll be sure to call someone snookie or poochie or cookie. Sorry, I’m not up on my pop culture/reality TV stars. If you see me give me that head nod like we’ve known each other forever and I’ll invite you over. If you’re hungry don’t worry I’ll be wearing a jacket with plenty of extra pockets for all the good food from the All Star Testing.

I have no shame. I love food and if I can put a little away for later on the evening I’ll be on top of the world.

You’re Still Not At The Food & Wine All Star Weekend at Aria? originally appeared on About.com Las Vegas Travel on Saturday, October 22nd, 2011 at 11:00:33.

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Picture Perfect is really how I can describe my view right now at the Aria Pool. It’s probably in the mid 80′s and I have a drink in my hand along with a great book. I’m calling it work but my wife is calling me something else. Such is a normal day for me and this weekend I am spending a little bit of time at the Aria Resort at CityCenter Las Vegas at the Food & Wine All Star Weekend. My to do list is so jammed packed that you would feel for me if you had a conscious.

I will not be at the pool long because I must experience a signature spa treatment at the Spa and Salon at Aria. You might think that is all relaxation but you know that after a good massage you have to work to stay hydrated. Guess what I’ll have to do for the rest of the afternoon? That’s right, I’ll have to stay hydrated, can you say Limoncello? So while you get to sit in front of the computer I’ll be getting a hands on lesson on how to make a drink just like those I would find at Sirio Ristorante. Have you ever tried to type notes on your handheld while you hold a drink? It’s not easy, but don’t worry about me, I’m a professional.

Later on in the evening I’ll be sampling a few dishes with Chef Masa Takayama. I am going to be really honest with you right now when I tell you that I might beg for some of that special flower he uses to create his amazing fried chicken at BARMASA. I am not opposed to acting entitled to the recipe as well as a few extra pieces just to bring home to my family. They deserve the very best, right?

If you head to the View Bar at Aria Resort later on in the evening you might see me hanging out with Gail Simmons from Top Chef. First, she knows food so that is enough for me but she’s also Canadian and you know I’ll want to talk hockey with her. Maybe I’ll get to sit next to her when I head to see Viva ELVIS by Cirque du Soleil, unless she is a Vancouver Canucks fan, in that case I’ll need to have a few of those ARIA signature drinks as she’ll talk my ear off about the Sedin Twins.

The night will end at UNION Restaurant and Lounge where I’ll most likely stuff my face with so many desserts that my adolescent acne situation will make a brief appearance.

You can see that I’ll be busy working at the Food and Wine All Star Weekend at ARIA Resort. You know if you wanted to have this kind of fun you could easily join me at the Food & Wine All Star Weekend for a few events tomorrow. The All Star tasting begins at 7:30pm and you’ll be treated to tastings from the star chefs at ARIA as well as some Top Chef cheftestants. If you do see me, hand me a drink so that I don’t look like the guy hanging around all the great wine.

Also, if you want to follow along find me on Twitter: @zekequezada or on facebook.com/govegas.

You understand that this is a tough job but I am the right person for it. Really, I am.

Food & Wine All Star Weekend at Aria Resort originally appeared on About.com Las Vegas Travel on Friday, October 21st, 2011 at 14:00:25.

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