Chef planning fabulous feast

By JAN HOGAN

VIEW STAFF WRITER

Some lucky valley seniors will enjoy the cooking skills of Chef Les Kincaid on Thanksgiving Day. He will play host to a feast at the Cambridge Community Center, 3827 S. Maryland Parkway, beginning at 2 p.m.

"This is what Thanksgiving is all about, sharing," Kincaid said. "We're doing this for people who need a place where they feel welcomed and can share a good time."

That good time includes more than a meal prepared by a well-known chef. Special entertainment has been set up, including the magic of Melinda, opera singer Grant Griffin, pianist Emilio and the group Forever Plaid.

Area businesses like Vons and Target donated items for the feast and hotel-casinos like the Sahara, Riviera, Station Casinos, and Coast Resorts donated prizes. There were so many businesses supporting the cause that Kincaid expects everyone who attends will receive something. Prizes include show tickets, dinner-for-two certificates and buffet freebies.

The whole idea for this year's feast began when Pulte Homes contacted Kincaid and offered him $300 if he would do something to help seniors. He had prepared a similar feast a few years ago but lacked a site to hold it.

The pledge got the ball rolling and soon many businesses offered their help. The $300 was used to purchase the few items lacking.

Kincaid said he will spend all day Wednesday preparing the food. Then on Thanksgiving, he plans to rise at 4:30 a.m. and start the ovens, baking six whole turkey breasts ("Because everybody asks for the white meat.") and two full turkeys. He said he does not use any special, exotic spices as the meat flavor shouldn't be overwhelmed.

"Turkey tastes good already and we're preparing a traditional meal," he said.

Traditional means freshly made. The cranberry sauce will be made from scratch and the pastry chef from the Rio is baking the dinner rolls. Kincaid noted he bakes stuffing outside the turkey and uses onion and orange to make it especially flavorful. The feast will include fresh pumpkin pie.

Kincaid is well known to Las Vegans for his radio show "Les Kincaid's Lifestyles Las Vegas," on KDWN 720 AM, which originates from the Aureole restaurant at Mandalay Bay or from Charlie Palmer Steak in the Four Seasons each week. He also writes a number of food, wine and golf columns. Kincaid, who owned three restaurants before moving to Las Vegas in 1978, has authored five cook books and is working on another. Some of his recipes can be found on his Web site (www.leskincaid.com).

About 18 volunteers from his continuing education cooking class will help prepare the meal and wait on tables.

"We're doing this classy," he said. "This is a sit-down dinner, not buffet. Everything will be served and the tables will be set with linen. Even wine has been donated."

Space for the feast is limited to 60 seniors and the cost is $3 per senior. Reservations can be made by calling 455-8691.