South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) has always been as much about the party as it is about the food—and this year, it continued to prove that. Celebrating its 24th edition, the event not only gathered food legends, but it also shined a spotlight on chefs with a strong connection to Las Vegas. Whether they're already calling the Strip home or eyeing new ventures here, these chefs are making waves from Miami to Las Vegas. And they were more than happy to talk all things food and wine with us.
Chef Dominique Crenn
A culinary icon, Crenn has been redefining fine dining with a bold yet artistic approach rooted in sustainability. As this year's festival honoree, her energy was palpable as she spoke about her ever-evolving journey in the culinary world. Crenn’s dishes are much more than food—they’re stories, and that’s why she’s resonating with places like Vegas, where innovation knows no bounds. Her recent appearance at Wynn’s World’s 50 Best Icon’s dinner was unforgettable, with her exceptional fish mousseline leaving a lasting mark on guests. Rumor has it, we may see her return this fall at Wynn’s Revelry culinary festival, and we can't wait.
Chef Nancy Silverton
If anyone can talk about the Vegas food scene with authority, it’s Nancy Silverton. From revolutionizing pizza at Pizzeria Mozza to becoming a household name in the culinary world, Silverton’s roots run deep in Las Vegas. She was originally hired by Steve Wynn in 1998 to be the Bellagio's first baker, and her career has only skyrocketed since. As the "mother of sourdough," Silverton shared her excitement for experimenting with new uses for sourdough—think waffles, pancakes, and even onion rings. With outposts in LA, Cabo, and Singapore, we are hopeful a Las Vegas Mozza may be in the cards. She’s also intrigued by pantry items that simplify cooking and artisanal products discovered at events like the Fancy Food Show in Vegas.
Chef Tiffany Derry
Known for her inventive takes on Southern cuisine, Tiffany Derry is a rising star whose influence is growing rapidly. She’s particularly excited to see how ethnic flavors are being woven into Southern dishes, from Caribbean to African influences. Derry is also eyeing the opening of Chef Kwame Onwuachi's new spot in Vegas and is looking ahead to her own Shef Food and Wine Festival in Dallas. She mentioned, “I would love to explore a potential expansion to Vegas,” which makes sense given the growing interest in diverse and elevated comfort food in the city.
Chef Alain Ducasse
Alain Ducasse is no stranger to Vegas, having made his mark with his restaurant Mix over 20 years ago, which later transformed into Rivea at Mandalay Bay. A Michelin-starred legend, Ducasse always brings fresh insights into food trends. At Crenn’s tribute dinner, he shared his thoughts on sustainability and the importance of high-quality ingredients in contemporary French cuisine. Ducasse is also noticing an uptick in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors—a trend he’s championing in Vegas. With Laëtitia Rouabah now helming Fontainebleau’s La Fontaine, his influence in the Vegas culinary scene is undeniable.
Chef Lorena Garcia
Miami’s own Lorena Garcia brings a vibrant flair to Latin cuisine, and her presence at SOBEWFF only solidified her as a culinary force. Chef-owner of Chica (with a Venetian outpost in Vegas), Garcia is focused on blending authentic Latin flavors with modern twists. She shared her passion for going back to the roots of cooking, having recently traveled to Peru and Mexico. Garcia’s trip has inspired dishes like tiradito and Nikkei cuisine, which could soon appear on her Vegas menu. Staples like asado negro, arepitas, and tres leches cake will undoubtedly remain, but Garcia is always pushing boundaries in her kitchen.
VIP List Girls and the Miami Experience
No SOBEWFF event would be complete without some celebrity food critics, and Audrey Jorgens and Meg Radice, the dynamic duo behind The VIP List, definitely stole the spotlight. Known for their no-holds-barred, brutally honest reviews on Instagram and TikTok, they shared their thoughts on trends for 2025. According to Radice, “Caviar is in, but truffles? They've had their moment. Smash burgers are starting to feel overdone.” They also mentioned that they aren’t afraid to call it like it is. As Jorgens put it, "If a place is amazing, we’ll say it—like Delilah, Carbone, and Papi Steak in Vegas. But if it sucks, we’re going to roast it.” For the record, they’re excited to check out Wynn’s Casa Playa when they’re back in town.