Show 175, June 11, 2016: Damien Stanley, Executive Sous Chef, Pechanga Resort & Casino

Danian StanleyChef Damien Stanley is the Executive Sous Chef at the Pechanga Resort & Casino. He’s responsible for creating the initial menu for the newest, full-service restaurant at Pechanga, the well-received Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar.

With his promotion Chef Stanley turned the sushi mat and chopsticks at Umi over to Kiyokuni Ikeda (ex-Morimoto.)

Umi means “sea” in Japanese. On the extensive menu are sushi, sashimi, nigiri, rolls, oysters on the half shell, seafood platters, specialty cocktails and so much more.

Chef Stanley held the Pechanga chili crown for two years in 2015 and 2014. He’s not competing this year but will provide an expert’s overview for us of the nine chef-created chilies in competition for 2016.

Chef Stanley will also give us a hint about the two new full-service restaurants which will be part of the current, in-the-works expansion. One will be a poolside bar and grill adjacent to the new Las Vegas-style resort pool deck.

 

Show 81, July 26, 2014: Chef Mark Andlebradt, Wolfgang Puck’s Postrio, Las Vegas

Mark Andlebradt“After 15 successful years of serving Las Vegas, Wolfgang Puck’s Postrio is proud to announce a new, refined concept and market-driven menu led by newly appointed Executive Chef Mark Andlebradt. (An-dell-Brat) Postrio has dropped the “Bar & Grill” moniker and now focuses on seasonal, new American cuisine with global influences that can be enjoyed on the “indoor” patio overlooking the Carnivale atmosphere of St. Mark’s Square or in the intimate main dining room. Award-winning Chef Wolfgang Puck and Executive Chef Andelbradt’s diverse menu features wood-oven baked pizzas, handmade pastas, enticing entrees, outstanding steaks and fish from the mesquite grill, and much more.

This is a big space with 20,000 square feet. Banquets are an important component of their business.

Recent special: 32 ounce braised veal shank. Designed to be shared but many guests ordered it for one!

Weekend brunch is served from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. A guest favorite is the Cinnamon Pecan Roll with maple glaze.

Chef Andelbradt has held high positions through various prestigious kitchens including Brasserie T and Tru on Chicago with Rick Tramonto and Gale Gand; Daniel in New York with Daniel Boulud; Morimoto in both Philadelphia and New York with “Iron Chef” Masaharu Moritoto; and Tao in Las Vegas.

Postrio Las Vegas is located inside The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Las Vegas.

Show 38, August 10, 2013: Chef Edward Lee

Edward LeeYou know Chef Edward Lee from his victory on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” and Bravo’s “Top Chef: Texas.” He’s the chef/proprietor of 610 Magnolia in Louisville, KY. He grew up in Brooklyn and found his way, unusually, to Louisville after 9/11.

On Friday, August 23rd he cooks for Iron Chef Morimoto’s Asian Night Market. On Saturday afternoon he then hosts “Bacon & Bourbon with Chef Edward Lee.”

Chef Ed is a true Bourbon connoisseur so Louisville is definitely the right home base for him.