Guess Who’s Coming to Cook Tonight?

Cooking with friends is more fun and chefs would agree to this, as collaboration dinners have become more and more popular. Las Vegas' dining scene, in particular, is not only vibrant and filled with passionate and talented chefs, but there is a feeling of family and togetherness, and chefs like to work together and support each other. And if that means giving up half of their prepping area for one night, by all means, they'll make room. And for the rest of us, we benefit from this unique dynamic, experiencing guest chef dinners, chefs swaps, and pop-ups, among others that often happen for one night only. The idea of "guess who's coming to cook tonight?" is exciting. For example, Roy Ellamar’s Snackwagon Takeovers are entertainingly delicious ways to indulge in treats made by Chef Roy himself and his visiting guest chef. He’s had everyone from Chef Shawn McClain (Libertine Social), to James Trees (Esther’s Kitchen), and Khai Vu (Mordeo) to name just a few.  Chef Scott Conant invited his dear friend and fellow chef Aaron Sanchez to cook in his kitchen at Masso for a one-night, multi-course dinner. What a treat for Food Network lovers. And before Chef Gina Marinelli opened La Strega in Summerlin, she held a one-night pop-up dinner at The Kitchen Atomic, giving us all a flavor of what was to come.

These are special, often one-off events that happen from time-to-time in Las Vegas, and personally, I feel when they come around, they are not-to-miss opportunities.

I want to share two upcoming collaboration dinner events that offer us the opportunity to taste dishes from some of Las Vegas' most amazing restaurants and chefs, plus we have a chance to meet them, too!

 The first one takes place at Vetri Cucina at the Palms Casino Resort on Tuesday, June 18 at 7 pm.  Marc Vetri and his team welcome Chef Brian Howard of Sparrow + Wolf into the 56^th-floor kitchen. The 4-Course menu will feature dishes that highlight each chefs’ culinary identity. Just a few teaser offerings here - Spring Lamb Tartare with Indian Ratatouille and Bhatturah Bread and a delicate King Salmon Crudo with Peas and Pickled Spring Onions. $100 pp. Seating is limited. For reservations: (702) 944-5900.

Robuchon Memorial Dinner

Then, on Thursday, June 27 Twist by Pierre Gagnaire, located on the 23^rd floor of the newly debuted Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, teams with L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand for a first-of-its-kind culinary experience. Twist’s chef de cuisine, John Miranda and Jimmy Lisnard, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon’s executive chef, join to offer a tasting menu that will feature an amuse bouche and five courses. $350pp. Choose a seating time between 5:30-9:30 pm. For reservations, click here.