Jul 3, 2016 | Gaming News
Fuji Apple Stuffed Pork Chops with Sage Dressing
Chef Kevin Hardrick from 1st Jackpot Casino – Tunica, MS
About Chef Kevin and his recipe: Chef Kevin has been in hospitality management his entire 26-year career and has also held several food and beverage management positions. Over the span of his career, he has continued to be team driven, a motivator and leader that maximizes the potential of the culinary team. When he is away from work, he likes to spend time with family, golf, fish, and play basketball. He chose this recipe because it is one of the South’s favorite dishes and is deserving of winning.
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Jul 3, 2016 | Gaming News
Wagyu Strip 8+ with Cherry Blossom Shoyu, Purple Potatoes and Honey Caviar
Chef Corey Parenteau from Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort – Larchwood, IA
About Chef Corey: Executive Chef Corey Parenteau began his culinary journey at a young age cooking with his father and grandfather in their family restaurant. This introduction to the culinary arts was the catalyst for his love for food, recipe creation and serving others. Parenteau has worked in every position within the food service arena and served as an instructor for students working towards a culinary arts degree from Colorado Mountain College. At age 23, he was awarded a coveted position at the AAA Four Diamond Resort at Keystone in Summit County, Colorado where he served under his mentor, corporate Executive Chef Scott Rydek. After years in the mountains of Colorado, Parenteau moved to Denver where he opened three restaurants with business leaders and celebrity chefs like Chef Carrie Baird, Bravo’s “Top Chef” final four contestant on season 15. Parenteau’s strong roots and desire to be closer to family, along with the opportunity to serve as executive chef, brought him to the Sioux Falls area and Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort. Today, as the executive chef at Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort, Chef Corey Parenteau brings over 15 years of culinary experience to oversee Ruthie’s Steak & Seafood, Robert’s Buffet, Big Drop Café, and Grand Falls banquets culinary teams.
Ingredients for Honey Caviar:
- 220 g. Honey
- Water
- 2 g Sodium Alginate
Method for Honey Caviar:
- Combine water and alginate for 2 minutes with an immersion blender.
- Add honey, continue mixing for 2 minutes. Chill for 12 hours to release air bubbles.
- Bring to room temp in small nosed squeeze bottle, expel it drop by drop into calcium bath 6 inches from surface of water. Let sit in water 1 min. Carefully remove with sieve spoon. Rinse in water, serve immediately. 30 per serving. (For Calcium Bath, whisk together 1000 g. water and 5 g. Calcium Chloride to room temperature.
Method for Purple Potatoes:
- Slice lengthwise into quarters and steam until tender. (approx. 12 quarters per serving)
- Garnish with Maytag Blue Cheese
Method for King Trumpet Mushroom and Asparagus Sides:
- Thin slice mushrooms lengthwise 1/8 inch, 5 slices per serving, 20 slices total.
- Melt butter in French pan, sear mushrooms on both sides 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat, finish with 2 tablespoons Cherry Blossom Shoyu.
- Layer on top of steak.
- Place whole asparagus in boiling water 30-60 seconds depending on thickness of asparagus. Remove from water shock in ice water 30 seconds. Chill, dry asparagus. Cut asparagus on a 45 degree bias to create diamond shape. 8 pieces per serving 32 pieces total.
- Toss in fresh squeezed lemon juice and Malden salt.
- Plate in layers under steak.
Mashima Reserve 8+ Graded Strip Loin 6oz. per serving
- Place 2 tablespoons cooking oil and 2 tablespoons butter in medium high heat French pan.
- Sear both sides of beef until internal temp reaches 120 degrees F. Remove from pan, rest steak 5 minutes.
- Slice beef on a 45 degree bias, plate on top of asparagus, top with Malden salt. Garnish.
Jul 3, 2016 | Gaming News
Colossal Skull Island Shrimp & Four-Cheese Tasso Grits
Chef Anthony Rametta from Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort – D’Iberville, MS
About Chef Anthony: Chef Anthony Rametta is the Room Chef at Scarlet’s Steaks & Seafood at Scarlet pearl Casino Resort and has been with the Scarlet Pearl Family for two years. Previously, Rametta has been a chef for more than a quarter of a century and credits his mother for his interest in cooking. “I’m not trained in any one style,” he said. “My culinary style is all over the place. I love all different types of food.”
Why he picked this recipe…and why it should win: I selected this recipe to show the depth of flavors we have here along the coast of Mississippi and Louisiana. I am a huge fan of Polenta/grits, cheese, greens and of course a nice cold beer. To me the dish signifies togetherness. I think it should win because the overall taste profile, you can taste everything in layers,
Ingredients For grits:
- 5 cup white or yellow grits
- 1 tsp. unsalted butter
- .5 tbsp. Red pepper, brunoise cut
- .5 tbsp. green pepper, brunoise cut
- .5 tbsp. yellow pepper, brunoise cut
- .5 tbsp. celery, brunoise cut
- .5 oz. Manchego cheese
- 5 oz. aged white cheddar cheese
- 5 oz. boursin cheese
- 5 oz. freshly shaved parmigiana
- 2 cups chicken stock
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method for grits:
- Add unsalted butter to medium size stock pot on medium high. Once butter is melted and hot…
- Add red, green, yellow peppers, and celery and sauté just until they start to become tender.
- Add tasso and cook until vegetables are tender.
- Add chicken stock and heavy cream and allow to come to a slight boil and add grits, reduce. Heat to medium and stir occasionally making sure not to allow the grits to scorch.
- Once grits are tender (or to your liking) add all the cheeses and salt and pepper.
- The grits should be a little tight so they hold sauce.
Ingredients For Shrimp:
- 16 giant U3/4 colossal shrimp (or as big as you can get them), peeled and deveined with tail left on
- ¼ cup blackening seasoning (redfish seasoning; like Paul Prudhommes)
- 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp. Red pepper, brunoise cut
- 1 tbsp. green pepper, brunoise cut
- 1 tbsp. yellow pepper, brunoise cut
- 1 tbsp. shallot, chopped
- 1 tsp. garlic, chopped
- 1/3 cup Abita (turbo dog) beer
- 5 tbsp. lemon juice
- 2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp. Crystal’s hot sauce (more if you like it spicy)
- 2-4 tbsp. unsalted butter
- Fresh herbs
Method for Shrimp:
- In a large sauté pan add extra virgin olive oil and allow to get very hot.
- Generously sprinkle blackening seasoning over shrimp and carefully place into pan and allow them to cook about half way (approx. 2 minutes)
- Add peppers, garlic, and shallot and cook shrimp for another minute.
- Add Abita turbo dog beer and turn heat back up to medium high and allow beer to reduce by half.
- Add lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, crystal hot sauce, and red wine vinegar. Stir well to mix all flavor’s together.
- When shrimp are done and liquid has reduced by half, shut off heat and add 2 tbsp. of unsalted butter constantly moving the pan until all butter has melted. Add more depending on how rich you like your sauce.
Ingredients For Braised Greens:
- 5 lbs. collard greens trimmed, washed and roughly chopped
- 4 oz. bacon, chopped (grease reserved for greens)
- ¾ cup sweet onions, chopped
- 5 cup chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
Method for Greens:
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Once the water boils, add greens
and cook until wilted and tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Place bacon in a large frying pan and cook over medium-high heat, stirring
occasionally, until browned and fat is rendered, about 3 minutes.
- Add onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
- Add greens and turn to coat well.
- Add broth – it should cover greens – let cook until broth is reduced and greens are very tender, about 15 minutes.
- Add crushed red pepper flakes, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Set aside for plating.
Plating Instructions:
- Place grits in the center of your serving vessel, using a spoon to make a small dip into the grits.
- Place braised greens inside the dip made in grits.
- Using a spoon or small ladle, spoon sauce around grits, and arrange prawns 2 on each side.
- Garnish with fresh lemon and fresh chopped herbs.
Jun 24, 2016 | Gaming News
(Hot Springs, Ark.) â?? The 25th annual Spa Blast, presented by Budweiser, kicks off the blazing month of July at Oaklawn. The event will be held in Oaklawnâ??s infield July 1 with gates opening at 4 p.m.
Country music star Joe Diffie headlines this yearâ??s Spa Blast and he will be joined on the main stage by up and coming bands Hillbilly Vegas and Blackwater Trio. Additional acts performing in the Gazebo include Jeff Hartzell, Jacob Flores, R&R, and Hot Springs Dance Group. This free, family-friendly event will also feature a petting zoo, gigantic Kids Zone and Middleton Misting Tent. Immediately following Diffieâ??s performance at approximately 9:30 p.m., guests will be treated to one of the regionâ??s most exciting fireworks displays.
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Jun 14, 2016 | Features Articles, Gaming News, In this Issue, Slots & Video Poker Tips & Strategies, Winning Tips
Are you a slot aficionado? If so, you need to continue reading this column…it could be worth $500 to you!
Let’s start by understanding what the word ‘aficionado’ actually means. The definition per the highly acclaimed Merriam-Webster Dictionary is a person who likes, knows about, and appreciates a usually fervently pursued interest or activity. A person can be a movie aficionado, a food aficionado or even a wine aficionado. One of my favorite magazines is called Cigar Aficionado published for cigar enthusiasts. And, if you are reading this magazine, you are probably a casino aficionado.
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May 24, 2016 | Features Articles, Gaming News, Property Reviews
Gaming and Destinations Magazine is your number one resource for all that is gaming. Each year, we receive feedback from thousands of gaming enthusiasts letting us know their top picks for everything from rooms and suites to pools and golf courses.
We are excited to publish the results as part of our annual Readers’ Choice Awards and are excited to officially reveal the winners for all to see!
Congratulations to all of the winning properties on a job well done! These awards show that your hard work to satisfy your customers is unprecedented and noticed by all!
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May 20, 2016 | Blackjack Tips & Strategies, Features Articles, Gaming News, In this Issue, Winning Tips
I’m a firm believer that if know some of the more important statistics about the game of blackjack, it can help you better understand the fundamentals of winning blackjack strategies.
However, I also understand that most folks find statistics boring; therefore, I prepared the following fun quiz, which I hope you will find entertaining as well as informative.
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May 18, 2016 | Features Articles, Gaming News, In this Issue

Racing and Gaming are on the fast track in The Land of Opportunity
The first national river, the first European settlement on the Lower Mississippi, the biggest oxbow lake in America, the only public mine where you can dig for diamonds and keep what you find â?¦ Arkansas is known for a lot of things, and increasingly, itâ??s known for year-round racing and gaming action.
Arkansas has two great racing and gaming venues – Southland Park Gaming and Racing in West Memphis and Oaklawn Racing and Gaming in Hot Springs. Both facilities have recently undergone multi-million dollar renovations that are thrilling high rollers and everyday folks looking to have some serious Natural State fun.
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May 18, 2016 | Gaming News, In this Issue, Slots & Video Poker Tips & Strategies
On its own, a slot tournament is an incomparable experience, wonderfully capturing the excitement and anticipation that the casino environment can create for people. But when you take that slot tournament, structure it as a national competition, invite participation among properties and players across the nation, and hang up a $1 million championship prize, you have the ingredients for a â??canâ??t missâ? thrill of a lifetime. Thatâ??s what makes the TournEvent of Champions® 2016, coming soon to a casino near you, so special.
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May 16, 2016 | Blackjack Tips & Strategies, Gaming News, In this Issue, Winning Tips
To encourage more players to visit the blackjack tables and also to improve their margins, many casinos have added side bets.
These innocent-sounding gambles usually require a rather small wager (typically a dollar) and generally return better than the customary even-money blackjack payoffs.
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May 16, 2016 | Gaming News

The Midwest Region has an abundance of great casinos and resorts each featuring their own unique characteristics you wonâ??t find anywhere else. Whether you are looking for grand golf courses, magnificent mountain views or outstanding indoor and outdoor oasisâ??, you canâ??t wrong wherever your casino adventures take you.
The area includes Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri, so there are plenty of options when it comes to planning your trip.1
We are excited to unveil the results for our annual Readers’ Choice Awards from each state and hope you can take advantage of visiting some of these pristine properties!
Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote for this yearâ??s Readersâ?? Choice Awards and until next timeâ?¦stay lucky!
CLICK a state below to see the Awards for each.
May 16, 2016 | craps, Craps Tips & Strategies, Features Articles, Gaming News, In this Issue, Winning Tips

Question: What do the following sayings have in common?
- An apple a day keeps the doctor away…
- Better late than never…
- High fences make good neighbors…
- Always play the Pass, Come and take full odds!
Answer: They are all true.
Playing the Pass/Come with odds, although even the mathematically best overall strategy cannot guarantee that you will win at craps in the long run, such advice can only guarantee that you’ll lose the least amount in the long run based on your total amount wagered.
So, the above are ‘true truths’
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May 13, 2016 | Gaming News
The South is known for its abundance of unique characteristics you wonâ??t find anywhere else. Southern hospitality, sweet tea, shrimp and grits and many other staples come to mind when reminiscing about past visits to some of the eclectic towns throughout the region.
In addition to the traditional heritage you will find at just about any stop, there are also some of the best casino resorts in the world stretching from Indiana to the Gulf Coast showcasing everything from pools and spas to good eats and great gambling. Boasting nearly one hundred properties in seven states, we like to turn to our readers for them to decide whoâ??s got the best, and who is simply among the rest.
The results of this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards consists of four regions, the Gulf Coast, Tunica/N. Mississippi, Mid-South (basically everything between Tunica and the Gulf Coast) and Indiana.
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Apr 25, 2016 | Gaming News
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 25, 2016) â?? The Breedersâ?? Cup, one of Thoroughbred horseracingâ??s most prestigious international events, has today announced that it will return to Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky in 2018. As part of the companyâ??s ongoing strategy to maintain a three- year out host site plan, Breedersâ?? Cup will work closely with Churchill Downs and the local Louisville community to drive excitement and anticipation for the event over the next few years.
One of the worldâ??s most iconic and recognized tracks, Churchill Downs last hosted the Breedersâ?? Cup World Championships in 2011. The return to Louisville reflects the Breedersâ?? Cup commitment to bring the event to the countryâ??s best racetracks and to combine the sportâ??s best racing with best-in-class dining, hospitality and entertainment.
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Mar 30, 2016 | Gaming News
(HARRIS, Michigan) â?? The award-winning Sweetgrass Golf Club at Island Resort & Casino has announced they are offering their popular â??Perfect Foursomeâ? Package again for the 2016 golf season. The premium golf escape, located in the scenic Upper Peninsula of Michigan, is 75 minutes north of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Sweetgrass continues to impress both golfers and gamers alike with a challenging, well-manicured course, paired with a premium resort-style gaming experience.
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Mar 30, 2016 | Gaming News, Horseracing Tips & Strategies, In this Issue, Winning Tips
Any time a turf player opens up the Daily Racing Form to handicap a Thoroughbred horserace, they are bombarded with well, an infinite amount of pertinent tidbits. From Beyer Speed Figures to pedigrees, the list goes on and on, yet that portion of data known as post position(s), (or which numeric gate said racers will break from) more often than not also factors into the decision making process. There are many things to consider when playing the ponies.
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Mar 23, 2016 | Features Articles, Gaming News
There are a lot of great gambling options in Mississippi ranging from the Delta Region in Tunica to the comforts of the Gulf Coast and the beaches of Biloxi. Since Hurricane Katrina rocked the Coast in 2005, the area continues to recover bigger and better than ever with record casino revenues. In Tunica, they have seen better days when it comes to revenues, but the area continues to offer great gambling experiences. Two sure bet properties in Mississippi that are receiving many accolades are the Beau Rivage in Biloxi, and the Gold Strike in Tunica, both are owned by MGM Resorts and both are leaders in their respective markets. While each offers its own unique style and character, they both deliver great customer service, premium dining options, the ongoing quest to appeal to customer desires, and of course, great gambling.
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Mar 23, 2016 | Features Articles, Gaming News, Slots & Video Poker Tips & Strategies
Slot players have long been able to count on games from WMS Gaming and Bally Technologies for fun, innovative ways to play.
From WMS, weâ??ve seen great iconic brands like Monopoly, Jackpot Party, Reel â??Em In and the Wizard of Oz. Bally has given us Blazing 7s, Hot Shot Progressives, Michael Jackson and the recent Wonder Woman.
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Mar 22, 2016 | Blackjack Tips & Strategies, Gaming News, Winning Tips

Many players try to use the famous Martingale betting system to beat the game of blackjack. Recently, with the help of Blackjack Hall of Famer Don Schlesinger (author of Blackjack Attack: Playing the Pros Way), we analyzed the Martingale betting system and this is what we came up with.
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Mar 22, 2016 | Gaming News
Sameer Al-Dbhani defeated a field of 383 entrants at Belterra Casino Resort this weekend to win his first Heartland Poker Tour (HPT) Title and $83,732. The lab technician from Frankfort, Kentucky was overcome with emotion during his on-camera interview after the victory. His wife was quick to lighten the mood when asked how she felt about her husband’s accomplishment.
“I’m happy,” she said. “I’m ready to shop!”
Al-Dbhani came into the Final Table Monday holding nearly twice as many chips as his closest competitor and never looked back. The last player standing in his way was Robert Geith from Indianapolis. Geith, a business owner, went all-in with a bluff on the last hand of the tournament. Unfortunately for him, Al-Dbhani had top pair and quickly called. Geith took home $51,699 for second place.
Loss Prevention Manager Frank Covich became the third-place finisher when his king-seven fell to Geith’s ace-king. The Murfreesboro, Tennessee native earned $34,406 for his weekend’s worth of work.
Jacob Moore was able to satellite into the HPT Main Event at Belterra for just $260. Though he’s a poker dealer by trade, Moore’s career earnings at the start of the day were $0. He added $23,847 to that total by finishing in fourth place. “It’s a life-changing amount of money for me,” said the Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky man.
One player familiar with playing under the bright lights of an HPT televised event was Mike Comisso. Comisso finished eighth at an HPT event last month in Colorado. The poker player from Dublin, Ohio was able to improve on that finish this time around, making it to fifth place before he was sent to the rail. That was good for a score of $18,022.
Carmel, Indiana’s Gary Breslauer had one of the smaller stacks at the table when play began. The retired dentist was able to stave off elimination long enough to climb the pay ladder a few spots. In the end, Covich knocked him out of the tournament in sixth place. Breslauer collected $14,017.
Mike “K-9” Sites was active early and often at the televised Final Table. Eventually, the wholesaler from Broadway, Virginia was forced to make a move on a dry flop with ace-queen. His all-in was quickly called by Al-Dbhani’s pocket jacks. Neither an ace nor a queen came on the turn or river and Sites was sent home in seventh place with $11,651.
The first two players knocked out Monday were Robert Kuhn and Keven Stammen. Stammen, a pro poker player from Ohio, earned $9,648 when he exited in eighth place. Kuhn was the first to be knocked out when his king-ten failed to beat Geith’s pocket jacks. He finished in ninth place for $8,155.
Next up for HPT is a return trip to Ameristar Kansas City. The series is scheduled for April 8-18. Full details for all upcoming HPT tour stops are available at HPTpoker.com.