Enjoy fine food and wines and beer from around the globe

What was thought to be a one-time event is returning this year to benefit hospitality professionals in need.

SIP Unlimited: A Tribute to Kuan Lim is set for Saturday, Aug. 26, 2 – 5 p.m., at Margaritaville Hotel Casino in Bossier City. The event is touted as a wine, beer, food and entertainment experience showcasing Northwest Louisiana’s favorite restaurants and wines from around the globe.

The event began in 2017 to celebrate and raise funds for Lim, owner of Lucky Palace (750 Diamond Jacks Blvd., Bossier City), to assist with prosthetics and medical bills incurred during his battle with small cell carcinoma.

More than 400 people attended the soldout event.

“We have such a robust and dedicated service community in our area, and every business and individual that contributes to SIP wholeheartedly embraces this opportunity to give back,” said Barry Regula, SVP and general manager of Margaritaville. “Our very finest culinary professionals and sommeliers are collaborating on a gastronomic adventure inspired by Lim himself.”

This year, proceeds will honor two service industry recipients chosen by Lim, Regula and other members of the restaurant and hospitality community. Being recognized are the family of Lucky Palace’s own Holly Lim, whose daughter, Tiffany Pippenger, passed away in late 2017 from a critical illness, leaving behind a young daughter, and the family of International Wine & Spirits’ Perry Woods, who lost his life in May 2018 after a tragic accident and is survived by his wife and two young daughters.

“Last year’s event was so successful and such a fun community event, we decided to make it an annual [event] to help those in need,” Leslie Peck, advertising and public relations manager for Margaritaville, said. “Both families are chosen by Kuan, Regula and other members of the hospitality community. The funds raised this year will directly help both families.”

SIP Unlimited will begin inside the Margaritaville Hotel lobby, where guests will receive an event map on a lanyard and a signature SIP Unlimited wine glass.

Next, inside the Paradise Theater, attendees will sample globally renowned wines and bites from the community’s favorite restaurants while hearing live music by Rue Jazz and bidding on items in the silent auction.

Last year’s silent auction featured rare wines, gift certificates from the participating restaurants, artwork and jewelry from local jewelers. This year’s auction returns with an array of items, along with a custom jewelry piece from Louisiana Coin and Jewelry.

“Margaritaville and our crew members were overwhelmed by the generosity of our community last year – the silent auction alone raised over $20,000 in gross revenue,” said Regula. “We look forward to generating even more funds this year to assist the Pippenger and Woods families.”

Gross revenue from the silent auction will go directly to this year’s beneficiaries.

Not so much a wino? New for the 2018 SIP Unlimited: a Beer Garden that will be found inside the Riverview Restaurant and Brewhouse – the second stop of the event. Featuring a game room, along with an avant-garde experience upstairs, guests may enjoy a “cold brew with a view” while hearing music from Jimmy Wooten.

The evening’s last stop will be at Margaritaville’s Busted Coconut, where guests will experience Caribbean Beats while poolside. Rosé, champagne and crisp, white wines, along with a view of the Red River and Shreveport-Bossier skyline, are sure to have guests questioning if they’ve somehow landed on a tropical island.

Guests who opt for the VIP experience – ticket price of $175 – will experience a private setting in both Riverview Restaurant and Brewhouse and Jimmy’s Seafood and Steak. Lim will join VIP guests in sampling wines, champagnes and cuisine handpicked that he personally chose. Haley Brooke will provide live entertainment in Jimmy’s Seafood and Steak.

The VIP experience is limited to 150 tickets.

Participating restaurants for this year’s include Jimmy’s Seafood and Steak (Margaritaville), Stone Forks, Riverview Restaurant and Brewhouse (Margaritaville), Lucky Palace, Proud Mary 360 Grill, Bamboo Asian Café (Margaritaville), Giuseppe’s Pasta Cafe and Abby Singer’s Bistro.

Wine and special guests are Wines Unlimited, Eagle Distributing, International Wine & Spirits, Southern Glazer’s Wind & Spirits; Southern Glazer’s Genesis, Republic National Wine & Spirits, Uncorked and Select Wine Inc.

Tickets for this year’s benefit range from $75 to $150 and may be purchased online through Eventbrite (Keyword: SIP) or at the Margaritaville Retail Store.

– Karen E. Wissing