Executive Chef Sarah Thompson of Casa Playa at Wynn Las Vegas on the Las Vegas Strip was named the 2026 “Best Chef: Southwest” at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards in Chicago on Monday, June 15.

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 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 fish from the Pacific Coast, from striped bass of Baja California to oysters of Tómales Bay. She works with purveyors who source produce from 50 farms across Nevada, California and Arizona.

Corn, chiles and agave serve as the backbone of the menu and are sourced from small producers in Mexico via Masienda. Thompson’s masa program is layered with six corn varieties imported from Oaxaca and nixtamalized in house, preserving the essence of Mexican culinary heritage.

The menu honors 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 mentor and champion of female chefs, leading a team that employs more than 50% women. Her philanthropy and mentorship includes Hot Bread Kitchen, Friends of James Beard Foundation, Meals on Wheels and Women’s Hospitality Initiative.

She has led multiple high-profile collaborations with some of the country’s most acclaimed chefs, including Chef Joe Hou of Angler (San Francisco) and Chef Johnny Curiel of Alma Fonda Fina (Denver), spotlighting their talent and cementing Casa Playa as a gourmet destination. 

I dined at Casa Playa for dinner shortly after it opened, enjoyed an AYCE brunch there (I don’t think it’s still going on), returned for a James Beard Foundation dinner there and met Thompson again during food-and-beverage dine-arounds and events at Wynn.

Casa Playa and Thompson are wonderful – it’s interesting to see a non-Mexican’s take on Mexican cuisine, and the restaurant décor is bright and vibrant – and it’s great to see James Beard recognizing the top-notch culinary talent in Las Vegas, although a 15-year gap is astonishing.

Casa Playa is open from 5-10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, with late-night dining available from 11 p.m. until close on Fridays and Saturdays. For more information and to book reservations, visit WynnLasVegas.com/dining/fine-dining/casa-playa.

* The 2011 James Beard Award winner from Las Vegas is Saipin Chutima of the off the Strip Lotus of Siam. The OG location on Sahara recently celebrated its grand reopening, and there are locations on Flamingo and at Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa in Summerlin.