“...this is elevated coastal Mexican cuisine prepared in ancient and contemporary ways to highlight faultlessly fresh ingredients.”
— Andrea Bennett, Condé Nast Traveler
AN INSIDE LOOK
“Mexican cuisine is extremely personal. At Casa Playa, our team translates that warmth, creativity, and passion from the kitchen into the dining room,” says Casa Playa Executive Chef Sarah Thompson.
Thompson is the 2026 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Southwest, becoming the first female chef from a Las Vegas Strip restaurant to earn the distinction. She was also named a StarChefs 2026 Rising Star and Game Changer. A Culinary Institute of America graduate, Thompson trained in acclaimed New York kitchens, including Marea, Alder, and Andrew Carmellini’s NoHo Hospitality Group, before joining Cosme under Daniela Soto-Innes. Today, she is recognized for her leadership, mentorship, and contributions to Las Vegas’ evolving culinary landscape.
“Mexican cuisine is extremely personal. At Casa Playa, our team translates that warmth, creativity, and passion from the kitchen into the dining room,” says Casa Playa Executive Chef Sarah Thompson.
Thompson is the 2026 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Southwest, becoming the first female chef from a Las Vegas Strip restaurant to earn the distinction. She was also named a StarChefs 2026 Rising Star and Game Changer. A Culinary Institute of America graduate, Thompson trained in acclaimed New York kitchens, including Marea, Alder, and Andrew Carmellini’s NoHo Hospitality Group, before joining Cosme under Daniela Soto-Innes. Today, she is recognized for her leadership, mentorship, and contributions to Las Vegas’ evolving culinary landscape.