Cookbook features celebrity favorites

By TINA ALLEN

VIEW STAFF WRITER

A new cookbook on the Las Vegas market has some pure star power behind it.

From Rosie O'Donnell to Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, the book is filled with tasty concoctions that are also the favorites of a long list of celebrities.

The recipes in "Las Vegas Glitter to Gourmet" are sure to be a hit at the dinner table, but it's the proceeds from its sale that will have a far greater impact.

Put out by the Junior League of Las Vegas, the funds from the book will go directly toward helping those less fortunate in the valley.

The cookbook is one of the league's largest fund-raisers. Kellie Creekmore-Guild, the cookbook chairwoman, said the league is hoping to raise $100,000 from the first printing -- money that will go to charities such as the Shade Tree shelter for women and children, HELP of Southern Nevada and others.

The league had similar success with another cookbook they published in 1986 titled "Winning at the Table." Creekmore-Guild said because of its popularity, the league is considering reprinting it for distribution in the future.

"Las Vegas Glitter to Gourmet" was a five-year project. In fact, Junior League members spent countless meals testing more than 2,700 recipes before they selected the final 225 that were included in the book. If a recipe didn't receive the highest possible rating of five, out it went, Creekmore-Guild said.

The 208 pages are brimming with how-tos for appetizers, entrees and desserts. O'Donnell's blue cheese encrusted chicken, David Cassidy's chicken salad and Goodman's mayoral meatballs are just a sampling. There are others from Susan Anton, Phyllis McGuire, Wolfgang Puck, Nevada Sens. Richard Bryan and Harry Reid, and local chefs.

The book also includes sidebars with menu and cooking tips and additional recipes for things like salad dressings and sauces.

"The recipes are very straightforward and very readable and we made sure they were that way," Creekmore-Guild said. "A novice cook could make a lot of them."

The book is available at most locations of Barnes & Noble, Borders Books, B. Dalton Bookseller and Waldenbooks, in addition to Longs Drugs in Summerlin and Ivy League Gifts and Baskets and gift shops in McCarran Airport, Circus Circus and Fitzgeralds.

It sells for $24.95. If purchased from a Junior League member; $1 of the proceeds will go directly toward the Ronald McDonald House.

Creekmore-Guild said the book makes a great souvenir for those visiting Las Vegas. In addition to the recipes, it includes gaming trivia, information about scenic areas and biographies of the celebrity contributors.

Those interested can call 822-6536.