Day 2 of DRINK Las Vegas 2026 continued with an incredible evening of food, cocktails and some of the country’s most respected culinary talent. On Friday, September 25, I attended and covered “A Night of Excellence with the James Beard Foundation,” presented by Marriott Bonvoy and hosted by Chef Tom Colicchio and Chef Tiffany Derry at the beautiful Yucca Pool at ARIA Resort & Casino.
The atmosphere was definitely one of the highlights of the evening. Guests moved from station to station sampling creative dishes, cocktails and spirits while getting the opportunity to experience the personalities and culinary styles behind some of the country’s most talked-about restaurants. The event brought together James Beard-recognized chefs, nominees, mixologists and some of Las Vegas’ own culinary stars.
Tom Colicchio, the James Beard Award-winning chef behind Craftsteak Las Vegas, helped set the tone for the evening. His steakhouse is known for focusing on high-quality meats and a refined approach to classic American steakhouse dining.
Tiffany Derry, who co-hosted the evening, brought her Southern-inspired culinary style to the event. Her Dallas restaurants, including Radici Wood-Fired Grill, Roots Southern Table and Roots Chicken Shak, are known for combining Southern flavors with contemporary techniques.
There was an impressive mix of participating culinary talent throughout the evening, including:
• Karen Akunowicz — Fox & the Knife and Bar Volpe, bringing Italian-inspired cooking and her signature Boston culinary style.
• Michelle Bernstein — known for Miami favorites including Café La Trova and La Cañita, blending Latin and Caribbean influences with modern technique.
• Jamie Bissonnette — represented through restaurants including Somaek, bringing bold flavors and creative interpretations of Asian cuisine.
• Brian Howard of Sparrow + Wolf — one of Las Vegas’ familiar culinary names, known for inventive dishes and a globally influenced approach.
• José Inocencio of Luchini Italian Restaurant — bringing Italian-inspired dishes and classic comfort flavors to the evening.
• Dan Krohmer of Other Mama — another Las Vegas favorite, known for seafood, oysters, sushi and creative cocktails.
• Kimmie McIntosh of MILKFISH Bakeshop — showcasing her approach to baking and sweet treats.
• Mary Sue Milliken of Border Grill and BBQ Mexicana — bringing the bold, colorful flavors of modern Mexican cuisine.
• Ayesha Nurdjaja of Shuka and Shukette — showcasing Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired flavors.
• Harrison Ono of Momofuku Las Vegas — representing the globally influenced cuisine associated with the Momofuku name.
• Carlos Santos-Cruz of China Poblano — featuring the bold flavors and regional influences of Chinese and Mexican cuisine.
• Laura Vargas of Jaleo by José Andrés — bringing Spanish-inspired flavors and tapas-style dining to the mix.
• Jackson Stamper of Ada’s — representing one of Las Vegas’ contemporary culinary destinations.
The evening also featured an impressive lineup of bartenders and mixologists, making this much more than just a food tasting. From creative cocktails to rare spirits, every stop offered something different to discover.
What I enjoyed most about A Night of Excellence was the opportunity to experience so many different culinary personalities in one location. Instead of sitting down for one meal, guests were able to walk around, sample different creations, discover new restaurants and interact with the chefs and beverage professionals behind them.
For me, covering DRINK Las Vegas is about more than simply attending an event. I enjoy being able to experience the food, meet the people behind the brands and restaurants, and share that experience with my readers.
A Night of Excellence definitely lived up to its name, bringing together an impressive collection of culinary and cocktail talent for one memorable night at ARIA’s Yucca Pool.
And with more DRINK Las Vegas experiences still ahead, I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest of the weekend has to offer!
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