Sarah Thompson of Casa Playa Named "Best Chef: Southwest" at
2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards
- Executive Chef Sarah Thompson of Casa Playa at Wynn Las Vegas has been named the 2026 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Southwest, marking first win after second consecutive nomination and the first time a Las Vegas-based chef has earned the honor since 2011.
- Thompson becomes the first female chef on the Las Vegas Strip to receive this prestigious distinction, further elevating Casa Playa's national profile as a celebrated destination for coastal Mexican cuisine and culinary innovation.
LAS VEGAS (June 15, 2026) – Executive Chef Sarah Thompson of Casa Playa at Wynn Las Vegas was named the 2026 "Best Chef: Southwest" at tonight's James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony in Chicago, IL. This marks Thompson's second consecutive nomination and first-time award recognition in the category. Thompson is the first female chef on the Strip to receive this prestigious distinction, which has not been awarded to a Las Vegas-based chef since 2011.
"It is a huge honor to receive this award from the James Beard Foundation, and a testament to the hard work, passion, and hospitality of my entire team," said Thompson. "Every day, we work together to make Casa Playa a place that celebrates the vibrant flavors, fresh ingredients, and soulful traditions of Mexico – many of the reasons why I fell in love with Mexican cuisine. It's an incredible privilege to work with such talented people who help bring this vision to life at Wynn Las Vegas."
As a coastal Mexican restaurant, Casa Playa's menu emphasizes fresh ingredients and seafood. Thompson sources nearly all of the fish from the Pacific coast, from striped bass of Baja California to oysters of Tómales Bay. Similarly, she works with purveyors that source fresh, seasonal produce from 50 of the best farms across Nevada, California, and Arizona. Corn, chiles, and agave serve as the backbone of the menu and are sourced directly from small producers in Mexico via Masienda. Thompson's masa program is incredibly layered with six distinct corn varieties imported from Oaxaca and nixtamalized in house, preserving the essence of Mexican culinary heritage. Alongside her team, Thompson has developed an authentic menu that honors the traditional styles of Mexican cooking with dishes such as Squash Tamal with mole verde and Thai basil; Maitake Mushroom with mole blanco, black truffle and pine nut; Kampachi with tomato dashi, charred avocado, and finger lime; and Crispy Tilefish with cilantro, ginger, and habanero.
Since Casa Playa opened in 2021, Thompson has built a reputation as a devoted mentor and champion of female chefs, leading a team that employs more than 50% women. She extends her influence beyond the kitchen through philanthropy and mentorship, supporting organizations like Hot Bread Kitchen, Friends of James Beard Foundation, Meals on Wheels, and Women's Hospitality Initiative. She has also led multiple high-profile collaborations with some of the country's most acclaimed chefs including Chef Joe Hou of Angler (San Francisco, CA) and Chef Johnny Curiel of Alma Fonda Fina (Denver, CO), spotlighting their talent and cementing Casa Playa as a gourmet destination.
The restaurant's interiors, conceptualized by Wynn Design and Development, also pays homage to the culture with an iconic installation of cascading marigolds at the main entrance and rich hues, painterly walls, and lively patterns throughout the dining room and front lounge. Casa Playa's rich blend of color and craft is balanced by contemporary furniture silhouettes, complemented by celebrational accents of traditional Mexican craftsmanship.
Casa Playa is open daily from 5 – 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and late-night dining available from 11 p.m. until close on Friday and Saturday. For more information and to book reservations, visit www.wynnlasvegas.com/dining/fine-dining/casa-playa.
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About Casa Playa
Casa Playa at Wynn Las Vegas is a coastal Mexican restaurant focusing on fresh seafood, seasonal ingredients, and an in-house masa program. Executive Chef Sarah Thompson, a 2025 and 2026 James Beard Foundation Award (JBFA) finalist for "Best Chef: Southwest" as well as a StarChefs 2026 Rising Star and Game Changer, showcases bold flavors with an emphasis on interactive large-format dishes that build on each other. Signature items like pork belly al pastor and whole snapper tempura are accompanied by housemade tortillas, nixtamalized from six distinctive varieties of corn imported from Mexico. Casa Playa's beverage program boasts an extensive selection of agave spirits and creative cocktails that complement the restaurant's vibrant flavors, designed by Master Mixologist Mariena Mercer Boarini, a 2026 JBFA semifinalist for "Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service". To learn more, please visit Casa Playa's website and follow @casaplaya.wynn.
About Wynn Las Vegas
Wynn Resorts has the longest-running Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Awards of all independent hotel companies in the world, and in 2026 was once again honored on FORTUNE Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies list. Wynn and Encore Las Vegas have two luxury hotel towers with a total of 4,748 spacious hotel rooms, suites and villas. The resort features approximately 196,000 square feet of casino space, 21 signature dining experiences, 10 bars, two award-winning spas, approximately 560,000 rentable square feet of meeting and convention space, approximately 174,000 square feet of retail space as well as two showrooms, two nightclubs, a beach club, and recreation and leisure facilities, including Wynn Golf Club, an 18-hole championship golf course. For more information on Wynn and Encore Las Vegas, visit newsroom.wynnresorts.com.
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