The Odyssey Masters 8th Annual Dinner outdid itself at its black-tie event at the  BELLAGIO.  The Gala presented culinary excellence from 10 of Las Vegas' most prized chefs along with incomparable wines.  Guests enjoyed world-class art, and entertainment by Grammy award-winner and lead singer of Kool & The Gang, Skip Martin and his band.  Celebrity host, John Daly served as Master of Ceremonies A Silent Auction display was beautifully fashioned by Sandy Peltyn and her team. An original art piece created by Odyssey's 2008 Artist-In-Residence, Barbara Reynolds was part of the Live Auction. Other Live Auctions were for Chef teams to create a five-course gourmet dinner for 10 guests in the home of the auction winner.

Proceeds from the Silent and Live Auction benefit the Odyssey Foundation Scholarship program for Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Las Vegas and The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Four distinguished guests of honor who have contributed significantly to our community were: Brad Friedmutter, Greg and Dana Lee, Roger Peltyn (in memorium).

I am so honored to have known Roger Peltyn whose profound contributions embellish the heart and soul of Las Vegas.  Roger was born in Brooklyn, New York to a father who was a prominent musician and orchestra leader for famed actress and singer Judy Garland.  However, Roger aspired to a different form of art, earning a degree in civil and structural engineering from Penn State University.  In 1980 Roger moved to Las Vegas and became president of Martin and Peltyn Structural Engineering.  His first project was the expansion of the Golden Nugget.  Excelling in his craft, combined with a dynamic and charismatic persona, his company was responsible for participating in the building of a number of hotels including: The Mirage, Bellagio, Caesars Palace, The Venetian, Paris Las Vegas and Wynn Resort, as well as major office buildings, convention centers, entertainment complexes and Elementary and High Schools.  Roger served on the UNLV President's Council, the Nevada Development Authority, the Clark County Public Education Foundation, the Desert Research Institute, Opportunity Village and many other charities.

Roger met his wife of 33 years Sandy Colon in New York when he was employed by an engineering firm.  Sandy was under contract to the Hilton Hotel chain performing as the star of a musical revue.  Sandy Colon Peltyn who worked along with Roger has continued in the engineering field of DESIMONE Consulting Engineers.  Roger and Sandy's prodigious contributions to community services are too numerous to mention and Sandy continues their legendary work Sandy and their son RJ Peltyn accepted the distinguished SKYLINE MASTER AWARD to Roger Peltyn. (in memoriam). 

Brad Friedmutter received the SKYLINE MASTER AWARD.  He too was born in New York.  Brad is the founder and president of The Friedmutter group, an architecture and interior design firm specializing in Casino Resorts. His clients include: Station Casinos, Harrah's Entertainment, Cosmopolitan Borrowers LLC. Foxwood's Resort and International clients in United Arab Emirates, Australia, Europe, Asia and New Zealand.  Brad has personally assembled one of the most dynamic and experienced teams of design professionals in the industry. A winner of numerous industry awards, Brad Friedmutter recently received the 2008 Hospitality Industry Network (HOSPY) Lifetime Achievement Award.  Many local and national philanthropic and charitable organizations benefit from the significant contributions of Brad Friedmutter.