Steve Dolinsky's Audio Podcast

Las Vegas has been hit hard by the current economic downturn, but the city is still plowing ahead with its annual "Vegas Uncorked" event May 7-10. Four of the best hotel properties are collaborating on a spectacular food and wine weekend. I spoke with chef Paul Bartolotta, of Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare at the Wynn Las Vegas, about this big event. More information at www.vegasuncorked.com

The March issue of Health Magazine lists the top 10 healthy fast food chains around the country, and surprisingly, Jason's Deli came in a number two. This Texas-based chain has about 200 locations around the country, and has eliminated trans fats, high-fructose corn syrup (mostly) and spends a lot of extra money on stocking its all-you-can-eat salad bar with organic produce. I spoke with company co-owner Rusty Coco about this new wave of healthy fast food.

Common Threads - a local non-profit dedicated to teaching inner-city kids about ethnic foods and cooking - was started by chef Art Smith several years ago, and the annual fundraiser, called the World Festival, has slowly attracted a major who's who of the culinary world over the past few years. This year's event, March 23rd at the MCA, brings together more than 40 chefs from all over the country. I spoke with Linda Novick O'Keefe, the Exec. Dir. of Common Threads, as well as Bill Kim, chef-owner of Urban Belly, one of this year's participants. For ticket information, go to www.commonthreads.org.

If you're one of those gastronomes who laughs in the face of superstition, then the folks at Blue 13 have just the ticket this Friday the 13th. They're holding a "Seven Deadly Sins" dinner, with each course inspired by one of the sins (greed, sloth, envy, etc.). The $77 dinner starts at 7 p.m. I talked with chef Chris Curren in his kitchen about the meal, as well as the restaurant's recent move to institute Sunday Night Family Meals, a trend that is picking up steam in Chicago. By the way, if you can tell me the name of the artist and the title of the song at the end of the interview, I'll send you a $25 dinner gift card from Brazzaz. Send your answers to me at: steve@stevedolinsky.com. Good luck!