Vegas Unstripped, the city’s most anticipated independent food festival, is back on Sunday, April 27, bringing together more than 20 of Las Vegas’ top chefs and bartenders for a night of culinary creativity at Palms Casino Resort. Organized by Eric Gladstone and chef James Trees, this chef-driven event highlights cutting-edge talent from across the city, each tasked with creating an exclusive dish or cocktail for the evening.
Unlike corporate food festivals, Vegas Unstripped is a non-profit event dedicated to showcasing local, independent chefs rather than promoting big-name brands. The result? A raw, unfiltered, and unforgettable celebration of Las Vegas’ true food scene—created by chefs, for chefs, and the city’s most passionate food lovers.




A Who’s Who of Las Vegas Culinary Greats
This year’s lineup features James Beard Award semifinalists and nominees, reality TV stars, and some of the most exciting rising talents in the Las Vegas culinary world. Some of the must-try chefs include:
- John Arena (Metro Pizza, Truly Pizza) – World Pizza Champions member
- Sterling Buckley (Palate) – Chopped contestant
- Anthony Carron (Alexxa’s)
- Johnny Church (Johnny C’s Catering) – Chopped winner
- Kari Garcia (TSP Baking Company)
- Brian Howard (Sparrow & Wolf, Spaghetti On The Wall Hospitality) – James Beard semifinalist
- Bruce Kalman (SoulBelly BBQ) – Chopped winner
- Steve Kestler (Aroma Latin American Cocina) – James Beard Award Nominee
- Keris Kuwana (Electric Playhouse)
- Gary LaMorte (Fortune Events)
- Marty Lopez (Scotch 80 Prime)
- Gina Marinelli (La Strega, Harlø Steakhouse) – James Beard Award semifinalist
- Sean O’Hara (Esther’s Kitchen)
- Joel Ott (Joel’s Chophouse, Ahern Hotel)
- Luke Palladino (Meta-Hospitality, Laguna Pool House & Kitchen)
- Ellie Parker (Main St. Provisions)
- Taylor Persh (Goose Hospitality)
- Eduardo ‘Lalo’ Saavedra (Casa de Juliette)
- Adam Rios (Al Solito Posto)
- Josh Smith (Bourbon Steak)
- Jackson Stamper (Ada’s Food + Wine)
- Yuri Szarzewski (Partage, Le Club)
- Jamie Tran (The Black Sheep) – Top Chef alum and James Beard Award Nominee
- James Trees (Bar Boheme) – James Beard Award Nominee
Bartending legends Tony Abou-Ganim (The Modern Mixologist), Juyoung Kang (Doberman), and Adam Rains (The Golden Tiki) will also serve one-of-a-kind craft cocktails, ensuring the drinks are as bold as the food.




More Than Just a Food Festival: What Makes Vegas Unstripped Special?
Vegas Unstripped isn’t just about incredible food. It brings a certain level of authenticity, creativity, and community.
- Chefs cook what they love – Each dish is created exclusively for this event, with no repeats or standard menu items.
- No corporate influence – Unlike many food festivals, Vegas Unstripped is chef-driven, with all ticket revenue going directly toward making the event possible and supporting local charities.
- Meet the chefs – Named chefs personally serve guests, making it a rare chance to engage directly with Las Vegas’ culinary stars.
- A true celebration of local talent – While many food festivals spotlight Strip-based restaurants, Vegas Unstripped embraces chefs across the city, including independent and off-Strip gems.
- Support for the community – Net proceeds are donated to local underserved charities, with nearly $30,000 raised since the festival began in 2018.
“We’ve built Vegas Unstripped to reflect the spirit of Las Vegas’ food scene—raw, creative, and full of passion,” said Eric Gladstone, co-founder of the event. “This year’s lineup is one of our best yet, with a mix of festival veterans, new rising stars, and a few legendary names we’ve wanted to include for years. It’s going to be an incredible night.”


Affordable Tickets for an Exclusive Experience
Despite its growing popularity, Vegas Unstripped remains one of the most accessible high-profile food events in the country.
- General Admission: $150, with no price increases from previous years.
- No inflated fees: Organizers have lowered fees from last year to make the event as accessible as possible.
- Limited same-day tickets available at a higher price.
A Must-Attend Event for True Food Fans
For those who crave genuine, chef-driven experiences, Vegas Unstripped is the most exciting food event of the year. From high-energy cooking to bold, never-before-seen dishes, this is Las Vegas’ culinary scene at its absolute best—raw, passionate, and unfiltered.
Don’t miss this chance to celebrate the chefs and bartenders who make Vegas one of the most exciting food cities in the world.
Tickets are available now at vegasunstripped.com. As tickets have a history of selling out quickly, food lovers are encouraged to grab theirs early.
