CHEFS MARY SUE MILLIKEN AND CHEF SUSAN FENIGER
Chef Mary Sue Milliken is a James Beard and Julia Child Award-winning chef, cookbook author, activist, and media personality best known for her modern Mexican concept, Border Grill, which she runs with her business partner Susan Feniger, an iconic culinarian, co-chef/owner, and author. Susan has co-authored five cookbooks, starred on the Food Network’s popular “Too Hot Tamales” series and competed on Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters.” Milliken is passionate about food policy and works with various nonprofits around the world to bring her expertise to help shape sustainable food systems. In 2018, Feniger and Milliken were named the recipients of the Julia Child Award and honored with the LA Times’ Gold Award.
The duo are co-chefs/owners of Border Grill restaurants, trucks, and catering in Los Angeles and Las Vegas; BBQ Mexicana with three locations in Las Vegas including Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas Ballpark, and Allegiant Stadium; Pacha Mamas at Allegiant Stadium; plus Socalo, a California canteen and Mexican pub in Santa Monica.
Chef Nicole Brisson
Chef Nicole Brisson is Executive Chef of Brezza, located Strip-side at the newest mega-resort and casino, Resorts World, in the heart of Las Vegas. Chef Nicole Brisson is at the helm of the kitchen, providing her signature authentic, yet modern coastal Italian cuisine to locals and visitors alike. A testament to her dedication to immaculate quality standards and leadership techniques, she partnered with highly esteemed restaurant operator Jason Rocheleau for this venture, and together they have assembled a pantheon of talent to join them, including some of the most acclaimed food & beverage industry professionals from across the country. On the heels of opening Brezza on June 24, 2021, Chef Brisson recently opened yet another concept, Bar Zazu, which debuted at the resort in December, 2021.
Over the years, Chef Brisson has won multiple accolades including Eater’s 2021 “Restaurant of the Year,” Food & Wine’s “Best Steak in the US” award for CarneVino, Desert Companion’s “Best Chef” award recipient, the National Restaurant Association’s “Best New Restaurant” award, VEGAS INC.’s 40 under 40, Wine Spectator’s coveted Award of Excellence, and she was nominated as a semifinalist for the 2020 James Beard Best Chef: Southwest Award. She has competed and appeared on several popular reality TV shows including “Chopped,” “Late Night Chef Fight,” Action Bronson’s “MUNCHIES,” “Beat Bobby Flay,” among others.
CHEF BRUCE KALMAN
New Jersey native and SoulBelly Founder Chef Bruce Kalman launched his culinary career in his hometown of Paramus. “I started cooking at 13 in a local family-owned pizzeria, and I never looked back,” he says. “I really enjoy it—beyond the food, it’s about the energy of the kitchen, the camaraderie, the teamwork, it’s awesome. Every day is a challenge.”
Throughout his career, Kalman has gained recognition from James Beard, with a nomination for “Rising Star Chef,” and has appeared on the Food Network to earn a “Chopped” championship title, Beat Bobby Flay in which he was victorious, as well as on Esquire Network to win “Knife Fight.” Kalman was also a cheftestant on Bravo’s “Top Chef,” Season 15 filmed in Colorado, finishing in the top five. He has made appearances on shows such as Hallmark Channel’s “Home & Family,” CBS’s “The Talk,” Viceland’s “Untitled Action Bronson Show” and “Last Call with Carson Daly,” among many others.
CHEF JOSHUA SMITH
Chef Joshua Smith’s culinary CV dates back to 1999. While attending UNLV’s College of Hotel Administration, Smith knocked on the back door at locally famous Rosemary’s Restaurant and asked for the opportunity to be a stagiaire. After a few months, Smith climbed the ladder to the position Chef Tournant, gaining fundamental kitchen knowledge and taking lessons in responsibility, integrity and humility.
Smith then ascended into the world of French cuisine as Chef Poissonnier at Alize at The Palms Hotel under Michelin-starred Chef/owner Andre Rochat, as well as Chef Jacques Van Stade. It was here that he fell in love with seafood and the classic French repertoire.
Smith moved back to Las Vegas to join the opening team of Estiatorio Milos at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, affording him the opportunity to work in Greece and in NYC. Here he honed expert product knowledge with focus on seasonality and exotic European fish and gained sharp focus on the importance of exclusivity, discipline and simplicity.
Later, Smith rejoined the Mina Group as Chef of Bardot Brasserie where he was honored to develop the concept, menu and team. Bardot Brasserie was named best French restaurant by the SNCA in 2018; featured on OAD Top 100 North American Restaurants for 2018 and 2019; and included on the World’s 50 Best Discovery platform for 2018 and 2019.
In 2021, Smith joined the team at Wynn Las Vegas as Executive Chef of Delilah, the remarkable supper club concept from LA-based hospitality company, The h. Wood Group.
CHEF MIN KIM
From Seoul to Tokyo to Sydney and Macau, Chef Min Kim’s career has spanned the globe, but began at home in Korea where his father ran a traditional Japanese restaurant. After attending college in Australia, he returned to Seoul and worked alongside his father for two years before moving to Tokyo to hone his skills at the Michelin two-starred Narisawa and the Michelin three-starred Ryugin. Kim’s journey then brought him to Wynn Palace where he helmed Mizumi before leaving in early 2020 to lead the kitchen in Las Vegas.
Upon his arrival to Wynn Las Vegas, Kim has added an array of his signature items to the menu including cold chawanmushi and steamed Jidori egg-custard with grilled corn, snow peas and shiso flower; wild snapper sashimi usuzukuri with thinly sliced Japanese madai snapper, white soy and lime dressing, sesame seeds and konbu; and Yuzu and passionfruit souffle with vanilla ice cream, passionfruit jelly and elderflower.
CHEF MARK LORUSSO
Chef Mark LoRusso began his career at Wynn Las Vegas in 2005 as part of the resort’s opening team where he served as the executive chef of Tableau, Wynn’s fine-dining breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant. He would later go on to become executive chef of the former Botero in 2008 where he applied his passion for quality ingredients to the sophisticated steakhouse. During his time at Botero, he earned the coveted title of “Chef of the Year” by Nevada Public Radio.
In 2015, LoRusso went on to open Wynn’s newest seafood restaurant Costa di Mare. As a result of his carefully curated menu, he was voted “Best Chef” by the Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association in 2016. In 2021, LoRusso became executive chef at Wynn’s award-winning SW Steakhouse, where he introduced a focus on seasonal items and new daily Chef Specials.
Prior to Wynn, LoRusso spent seven years as the executive chef of Michael Mina’s Aqua in Bellagio. Working alongside the chef and restaurateur for many years, LoRusso originally began working for Mina in San Francisco where he was a sous chef at Aqua.
CHEF THEO SCHOENEGGER
Chef Theo Schoenegger joined Wynn Las Vegas as executive chef of Sinatra in 2007 as part of the restaurant’s opening team. After 10 years in this role, he briefly left Wynn in 2017 before returning in 2019, once again leading the restaurant’s culinary direction as executive chef.
After departing Wynn, Schoenegger went on to become the executive chef of Maria & Enzo's Ristorante and Enzo's Hideaway Tunnel Bar at Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida.
Prior to opening Sinatra in 2008, he spent five years as the executive chef of Patina located at Walt Disney Center in Los Angeles. Previously, he held the role of executive chef at Aquoria in Palm Beach, before reopening Rock Center Café in New York. Other career highlights include Aubergine Tantris in Munich, Germany as well as Palio and San Domenico in New York.
Growing up in the town of San Candio, Italy, just near the border of Austria, Schoenegger's love for cooking began as a child. Inspired by the time he spent with is mother in the kitchen creating authentic Italian dishes, he went on to attend culinary school in Merano, Italy at the age of 18. It was in 1986 that he decided to move to the U.S. and begin his career in the states.
CHEF YIP CHEUNG
Possessing more than 30 years of experience in the culinary industry, Yip Cheung assumed the role of Executive Chef at the Talon Club inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in 2016, followed by his dual-Executive Chef role at Red Plate, The Cosmopolitan’s original-concept, authentic Cantonese restaurant, upon its opening in 2018. Within his current role, Cheung oversees the daily preparation and execution of authentic Chinese cuisine catering to the resort guests and its high-end Far East gaming clientele.
Cheung started his culinary career at just 19 years old, working his way up as an apprentice in Hong Kong. Prior to joining The Cosmopolitan, Cheung immigrated to the United States where he managed a family restaurant in Oklahoma before relocating to Las Vegas for the opening of The Mansion at MGM Grand. He spent 17 years working under Iron Chef Hui where he honed is on his culinary skills, techniques and overall operational management at a high-end culinary establishment, and to follow, earned the title of Executive Sous Chef of The Mansion.
A master of his craft, Chef Cheung has cultivated an innovative menu at Red Plate, joining traditional Chinese technique and preparations to present an authentic Cantonese menu with hints of modern inspiration. Signature dishes include Caviar Topped Egg White Fried Rice and Sautéed Milky Bird Nest with Truffle. Additional guest favorites include Basil Black Bean Chicken, Crispy Lobster Balls, Mosek Braised Pork Rib and more.
CHEF MATT HURLEY
Chef Matt Hurley, Executive Chef of CUT by Wolfgang Puck, is a Boston native, who would often be found in the family kitchen cooking alongside his mother and grandmother. Intrigued by the foods of his heritage, Matt loved spending his afternoons helping to prepare dinners for their large family. Here he learned the secrets of his family recipes and the true sense of family and the rewards of entertaining through food.
Today, Matt Hurley’s distinguished talent, creativity and passion for cooking, serve as the perfect recipe for success in his role as Executive Chef of CUT by Wolfgang Puck, at The Palazzo Las Vegas. With originality and a desire to entertain, Hurley integrates a passion for fine dining with the freshest, all-natural ingredients possible to create seasonal menus that deliver a culinary experience not to be missed.
CHEF GENE NAKANISHI
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Chef Gene Nakanishi found his passion in the kitchen at a young age. He was learning from the master chefs at his family’s restaurant, Osaka Japanese Bistro, at just 8 years old. After graduating from high school, Nakanishi attended college in Boston, Massachusetts where he received a Bachelor’s degree from Berklee School of Music. He then attended Harvard University for graduate school where he studied international relations. While in Boston, Nakanishi was able to study Japanese cooking and the art of making sushi from master chefs visiting the United States from Tokyo. Nakanishi also studied mixology, sake and wines at New England Bar and Sommelier School. On top of his culinary endeavors, Nakanishi received a Master of Science from Southeastern University in Computer Education, and he did additional postgraduate work at UNLV.
Chef Nakanishi worked in Las Vegas as a music teacher in the Clark County School District for several years before taking over his family’s business in 1997. In a very short time, he expanded Osaka, opening two new locations and brought his love of music to the restaurants with live entertainment. As a winner of the “Best of Las Vegas” more than 20 times, Chef Nakanishi says he sources the best available ingredients, and he is constantly looking to innovate and create new dishes without compromising his traditional Japanese roots.
HEATHER HEATH
Heather Heath is the owner/CEO of the first woman-owned, non-accredited vegan cooking school and deli in the US, Vegas Vegan Culinary School & Eatery in Las Vegas, Nevada. Heather is a 30-year veteran of healthcare executive management and CFO responsibilities. She is excellent at non-profit administration and the related fields of financial management, marketing and sales strategy and public relations on a global scale. She is a fervent supporter of plant-based alternatives and the development of novel methods for assisting people in making the switch to a vegan diet. Since its inception in 2018, her non-profit, Willow's Wish, has worked to improve animal welfare around the world through a variety of initiatives including animal spay/neuter campaigns and public awareness campaigns.
Chef Nico Munoz currently serves as the Head Chef at Vegas Vegan Culinary School & Eatery. Vegan for the past 5 years himself, he is a strong proponent of Plant-Based education and teaches the majority of the classes offered at our establishment. Prior to coming to Las Vegas, Nico worked in the culinary field for ten years, interning at The Grill on the Alley in San Jose and Fleur de Lys in San Francisco post his culinary training at the French Culinary Institute.
CHEF KRISTOS ANASTOPOULOS
Chef Kristos Anastopoulos, Executive Chef of UMC, is a Chicago native who was raised in the family’s fine dining restaurant. This experience instilled him with a dedication to family and service. “Regardless of what happened yesterday, I give my best to the new day.” Kristos spent his summers traveling to and competing in rib and BBQ competitions. His formal studies led him through hospitality and food management, along with the culinary arts, where he has honed his fine dining skills.
Kristos has been part of several ground-level projects and Las Vegas events, including the openings of Gordon Ramsay Steak, GR Burger, Jardin at Wynn Las Vegas, Uncork’d by Bon Appétit, and the Epicurean Food & Wine Festival in Reno, Nevada.
SHOWBOY BAKESHOP
Showboy Bakeshop co-owners, Jared Sullivan and Stephen Lowry, have spent the last 12 years making their brand one of the most recognizable in the entertainment industry. Known for creating over the top custom cakes and gourmet cupcakes, the pair has been featured on Food Network shows "Cupcake Wars", "Wedding Cake Championship", "Ridiculous Cakes", "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Cake Extravaganza", and "Cake Wars".
Their storefront in Henderson has been named Best Cupcakes by the LVRJ multiple times and is a personal homage to their love of all things theatre.
THE CAPITAL GRILLE
The Capital Grille information coming soon.
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