Casa Playa at Wynn Las Vegas welcomed chefs from Dakar and Kasama for a collaborative four-course dinner ahead of the inaugural Michelin Guide Southwest Ceremony, drawing a full house on the Strip
Casa Playa at Wynn Las Vegas brought together acclaimed chefs from across the country for a special Cross Cultures Collaboration Dinner on Tuesday evening, just ahead of the first-ever Michelin Guide Southwest Ceremony. The event, curated by Cheryl Tiu, featured a partnership between Casa Playa, Dakar in New Orleans, and Kasama in Chicago, each represented by James Beard Award-winning chefs.
The dinner took place in Casa Playa’s bustling dining room, which remained full throughout the night as guests experienced a menu that blended Senegalese, Filipino, and Mexican influences. The collaboration highlighted the culinary talents of Serigne Mbaye (Dakar), Genie Kwon and Timothy Ryanchi (Kasama), and Sarah Thompson (Casa Playa).
Inside the Four-Course Collaboration
The evening’s menu was structured around four courses: Snacks, two To Share courses, and Postre. Each course showcased signature dishes from the participating chefs and their respective restaurants, offering guests a unique culinary journey.
Snacks included Cassava Tart with tuna, crème fraiche, and caviar from Dakar; Summer Blue Oyster with shito and blueberry granita (Dakar); Lumpia with radish, herbs, and sweet chile (Kasama); Shrimp Toast with aioli and tamarind (Kasama); Uni Infladita with tomato and bone marrow (Casa Playa); and Mussel Sopecito with chorizo and lovage (Casa Playa).
The first To Share course featured Dibi—grilled prawns with mushroom (Dakar); Chicken Adobo with trumpet mushrooms and palapa (Kasama); and Dungeness Crab with chile XO and charred serrano (Casa Playa).
The second To Share course included Sweet Potato with yassa sauce (Dakar); Short Rib Kare-Kare with peanut and mint (Kasama); and Red Snapper Tikin Xic with pickled onion, habanero, and tortillas (Casa Playa).
Desserts and Beverage Pairings
For dessert, guests enjoyed a Truffle Croissant with Delice de Bourgogne cheese and honey (Kasama) and a Magonada Raspado featuring mango sherbet, tamarindo, and plum chamoy (Casa Playa). Dakar did not present a dessert course.
The dinner was complemented by a curated beverage pairing. The first course was served with Kindred Spirits, a cocktail featuring Dos Hombres Blanco Tequila, Empirical Cilantro Liqueur, caramelized pineapple, ancho chile, habanero-infused agave nectar, lime juice, smoked herb chile salt, and Espadin Parfum. Subsequent courses were paired with Bodegas Granbazan Albarino “Limousin” (Rias Baixas, Spain 2022), Giacomo Borgogno “No Name” Langhe Nebbiolo (Piedmont, Italy 2020), and Kracher Beerenauslese Cuvee (Burgenland, Austria 2021) for dessert.
Las Vegas Context and Event Highlights
The Cross Cultures Collaboration Dinner was held the night before the Michelin Guide Southwest Ceremony, which for the first time covers restaurants in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The event drew notable guests from the Las Vegas food and media community, including Robert Kachelriess of City Cast Las Vegas and Melinda Sheckells, among others.
Standout dishes noted by attendees included the Dungeness Crab, Short Rib Kare-Kare, Dibi, and Truffle Croissant, as well as the wine pairings. The dinner underscored Casa Playa’s role as a destination for innovative culinary events on the Strip, bringing together top chefs and diverse cuisines in a single evening.
