PRESS RELEASES

Sarah Thompson Named Executive Chef of Elio at Wynn Las Vegas

Sarah Thompson named Executive Chef of Elio at Wynn Las Vegas

Thompson to debut a menu of contemporary Mexican dishes at the resort's

newest restaurant opening this March

LAS VEGAS (February 19, 2020) – The teams behind New York's Cosme and ATLA and Mexico City's Pujol have named Sarah Thompson executive chef of Elio, the Mexican contemporary restaurant and lounge debuting at Wynn Las Vegas in March. Thompson previously served as the executive sous chef at Cosme, where she worked with founders Enrique Olvera, Santiago Perez, and chef Daniela Soto-Innes.

Alongside Soto-Innes, Thompson has created a menu rooted in authentic Mexican flavors, showcasing the best regional and seasonal ingredients. Inspired by Mexico's rich heritage of celebratory food and gatherings, the festive menu complements Elio's ethos that every night should be a party.

"Working with Daniela has taught me that Mexican food is about community, culture and family. It's with that in mind that we approached the menu for Elio," said Thompson. "We look forward to creating an environment where our guests can anticipate impeccable food, enjoy great company and just have a really good time."

Thompson's family instilled a passion for food from an early age, which inspired her to pursue a career in the culinary arts. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 2010, she worked in some of New York City's most notable restaurants including, Michelin-starred Marea, Wylie Dufrense's Alder and with Andrew Carmellini's NoHo Hospitality Group. In 2015, shortly after the restaurant's opening, Soto-Innes recruited Thompson for the Cosme team. There, with Soto-Innes' leadership and tutelage, she worked her way up to executive sous chef.

"During her time at Cosme, Sarah played a huge role in the success of the restaurant, so when we had the opportunity to develop a new concept at Wynn, we knew we wanted her to be a part of this special project," said Soto-Innes.

Highlighted dishes include tuna tataki rubbed in adobo with nopales, scallion and a smoked soy; whole red snapper with crispy scales served with herbs, citrus, corn tortillas and salsa crudo, and vibrant green mole made with pepitas, nuts and herbs served with Toyko turnips a la plancha and hojo santa tortillas.

Elio's lively fare will be complemented by signature agave-based cocktails crafted by Beverage Director Yana Volfson (Cosme, ATLA). Playful cocktails such as the Ride or Die featuring Toki, Mezcal Malbien and piloncillo and the One Night Stand complete with Joel Barriga Vago Espadin, Equipo Navazos Manzanilla Sherry La Bota 93, passion fruit infused-Dolin Dry Vermouth and Champagne, will anchor the beverage menu.

The backdrop to the dining experience is a sleek and seductive setting, with modern and minimal architectural lines paired with rich textures and stunning Mexican art and sculpture. Evening turns to night as guests move from the warmth of the dining room to the energy of the bar and lounge. Playlists curated by Enrique Olvera and a live DJ will keep the party going all night.

Elio's lounge and dining room will be open daily with brunch set to debut later this spring. For more information and updates please visit: www.eliolv.com. For reservations, call 702-770-DINE (3463).

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About Wynn Las Vegas

Wynn Resorts is the recipient of more Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Awards than any other independent hotel company in the world and was once again named the best resort in Nevada on Condé Nast Traveler's 2019 "Gold List," a title received for the twelfth time. Wynn and Encore Las Vegas consist of two luxury hotel towers with a total of 4,748 spacious hotel rooms, suites and villas. The resort features approximately 192,000 square feet of casino space, 22 signature dining experiences, 11 bars, two award-winning spas, approximately 560,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, approximately 160,000 square feet of retail space as well as two theaters, two nightclubs, a beach club and recreation and leisure facilities. Wynn Las Vegas recently unveiled the new Wynn Golf Club; an 18-hole, 129-acre championship golf course and a 430,000-square-foot meeting and convention space expansion powered by 100 percent renewable energy. For more information on Wynn and Encore Las Vegas, visit press.wynnlasvegas.com, or follow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

About ATM Group

Enrique Olvera, Daniela Soto-Innes, restaurateur Santiago Perez and architect Alonso de Garay oversee Cosme and ATLA in New York City along with forthcoming restaurants in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. In 2014, the team made their United States debut by opening Cosme in New York's Flatiron neighborhood. The restaurant (currently #23 on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list) was named best new restaurant of the year by The New York Times. In 2017, the group opened ATLA, an all-day café offering modern Mexican fare, in New York's NoHo. In 2020, the team looks westward with the debut of Elio in Encore at Wynn Las Vegas and Damian in Los Angeles' Arts District.