Renowned Celebrity Chefs Team with Rising Stars from Le Cordon Bleu in a Live Grill-Off Presented by Chase Sapphire Preferred at 2013 Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit

Chase Sapphire Preferred Grill Challenge Pairs Celebrity Chefs Akira Back and Todd English with Two Aspiring Culinary Students for a chance to win a $20,000 Scholarship Fund

(Graphic: Business Wire)

LAS VEGAS--()--Chase Sapphire Preferred®, a premier travel rewards card from Chase, in partnership with Bon Appétit will host the Chase Sapphire Preferred Grill Challenge, taking place on Saturday, May 11, at 8:45 p.m., during Bellagio’s Block Party at the seventh annual Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit. Award-winning Las Vegas chefs Akira Back and Todd English will partner with two up-and-coming culinary students from the local Las Vegas Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in a live grilling challenge. The winning team will receive $20,000, presented by Chase Sapphire Preferred to help fund the student’s culinary education and dream of becoming a world-class chef. An additional $5,000 will be presented to the runner-up.

The cooking challenge puts grilling skills to the test as celebrity chefs and restaurateurs, Akira Back, executive chef of Yellowtail Japanese & Lounge Restaurant at the Bellagio, and Todd English, chef, Olives Bellagio, battle live on-stage to create the ultimate barbecue feast.

“I am thrilled to participate in the Chase Sapphire Preferred Grill Challenge to help fund a local culinary student’s schooling,” said Todd English, chef, Olives Bellagio. “Vegas Uncork’d is the perfect stage for a live grilling challenge that supports the next generation of Las Vegas culinary talent.”

Two talented students from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in Las Vegas will be given the opportunity to participate as sous chefs during the event. Starting April 9, students can submit a video via Vine, a mobile app by Twitter, using the hashtag #GrillChallenge and provide a short essay to Bon Appétit. Students can share their story and illustrate why they deserve to compete for a chance to win the title and $20,000 from Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Bon Appétit restaurant and spirits editor, Andrew Knowlton, will serve as emcee and head judge for the event, while Robin Leach, entertainment and celebrity reporter, and a Chase Sapphire cardholder will also judge the chefs culinary creations and select the winners.

The event is part of a week-long food, wine and spirits festival presented by Bon Appétit and the city of Las Vegas, in partnership with Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand and Chase Sapphire Preferred. The event brings together famed Las Vegas resorts, celebrity chefs, master sommeliers and true food fans in celebration of the Las Vegas culinary scene and growing food community.

“Las Vegas is one of the nation’s top culinary travel destinations and we are excited to celebrate the food and talent that continues to thrive and emerge from this city,” said Sean O’Reilly, general manager, JP Morgan Chase. “Chase Sapphire cardholders are passionate about unique food experiences. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Grill Challenge not only creates an opportunity for cardholders to taste and witness true culinary magic first-hand, but also allows them to be a part of something greater by raising awareness for local aspiring chefs.”

As part of its presenting sponsorship, Chase Sapphire offered cardholders the ability to redeem credit card rewards points or purchase tickets to select Vegas Uncork’d events – and enjoy exclusive perks, such as preferred seating, VIP lounge access and a private brunch with acclaimed Chef Julian Serrano.

About Chase Sapphire Preferred

Chase Sapphire Preferred is a premier rewards credit card for people who are passionate about travel and dining. With Sapphire Preferred you enjoy premium travel rewards and benefits with no travel restrictions or blackout dates on airfare booked through Ultimate Rewards, two points for every dollar spent on dining at restaurants and travel, no foreign transaction fees, 1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs, 24/7 live customer service, access to exclusive cardmember experiences and more. More information is available at www.chasesapphire.com/preferred.

About Chase

Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.4 trillion and operations in more than 60 countries. Chase serves more than 50 million consumers and small businesses through more than 5,500 bank branches, 17,500 ATMs, credit cards, mortgage offices, and online and mobile banking as well as through relationships with auto dealerships. More information about Chase is available at www.chase.com.

About Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit

The seventh annual Vegas Uncork’d by presented by Bon Appétit and Las Vegas, in partnership with Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand and Chase Sapphire Preferred runs from May 9-12. The highly anticipated food festival features chefs including Akira Back, Todd English, Bobby Flay, Michael Mina, Nobu Matsuhisa, Gordon Ramsay, Michel Richard and Joël Robuchon. Tickets are available for the Vodka & Caviar Social, the Oyster Extravaganza, the Hand-crafted Collaboration and the Beef & Whiskey “Japan Style.” Check out VegasUncorked.com for more information.

Contacts

Chase Card Services
Erin Smolenski, 302-282-8460
Erin.Smolenski@chase.com
or
Bon Appétit
Frederika Brookfield, 212-286-3508

Contacts

Chase Card Services
Erin Smolenski, 302-282-8460
Erin.Smolenski@chase.com
or
Bon Appétit
Frederika Brookfield, 212-286-3508