Day 3 of the inaugural Drink Las Vegas 2026 was another incredible night celebrating the food, cocktails, chefs and hospitality that make Las Vegas such a unique destination.
Saturday night brought “Timeless Taste: Celebrating the Legacy of Las Vegas,” presented by Marriott Bonvoy at the ARIA Yucca Pool. The walk-around tasting was hosted by three legendary names in the culinary world — Michael Mina, Masaharu Morimoto and Wolfgang Puck — bringing together classic Las Vegas flavors, modern cocktails and some of the chefs and culinary personalities who have helped shape the city’s dining scene.
For me, one of the highlights was being able to experience the event while walking around and discovering so many different food and beverage offerings. There was a great mix of savory dishes, desserts, cocktails, spirits and wine, with each vendor bringing something different to the table.
The Culinary Stars
Michael Mina brought his signature approach to fine dining and showcased the creativity and attention to detail that have become associated with his restaurants. Mina is a James Beard Award-winning restaurateur whose Las Vegas restaurant portfolio includes Michael Mina, Bardot Brasserie and Orla.
Masaharu Morimoto added his internationally recognized Japanese-inspired style to the evening. Known to many through Iron Chef, Morimoto has built a culinary career around combining Japanese traditions with Western ingredients and techniques. His food was one of the experiences I was especially looking forward to trying.
And then there was Wolfgang Puck, one of the chefs who has been part of Las Vegas’ culinary story for decades. His presence made perfect sense for an evening celebrating the city’s dining legacy, especially with Spago representing his long-standing influence on Las Vegas dining.
More Than Just Food
What I enjoyed most about Day 3 was that it wasn’t simply a food tasting. The event brought together chefs, mixologists, restaurants, spirits and wine, creating an experience that felt like a celebration of Las Vegas hospitality as a whole.
Among the other culinary talent participating in the evening were chefs and hospitality professionals from across the Drink Las Vegas lineup, including David Nayfeld and Anthony Carron, along with a wide range of chefs, bartenders and beverage professionals featured throughout the festival.
The atmosphere at Yucca Pool also added to the experience. Guests could move from station to station, sample different creations, enjoy cocktails and interact with the people behind the food and drinks. It gave me the opportunity to discover new flavors while also enjoying some familiar Las Vegas favorites.
My Take
After experiencing the first two nights of Drink Las Vegas, Day 3 continued to show just how much variety this inaugural festival brought to the Strip. From Opening Night with Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Sammy Hagar and Shaquille O’Neal, to Friday night’s James Beard Foundation celebration hosted by Tom Colicchio and Tiffany Derry, and now Saturday’s tribute to the legacy of Las Vegas, each night had its own personality.
For me, Timeless Taste was a great reminder of how much the Las Vegas culinary scene has evolved. Having chefs like Michael Mina, Masaharu Morimoto and Wolfgang Puck together for one evening made it a memorable part of the inaugural Drink Las Vegas experience.
I enjoyed being there to taste, explore, take photos and experience the event firsthand. There was plenty to see, plenty to sample and, of course, plenty to drink!
Drink Las Vegas 2026 continues through September 27 across ARIA Resort & Casino, Bellagio, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Park MGM, bringing together more than 30 venues and a large lineup of chefs, mixologists and hospitality talent.
Day 3 was definitely another memorable night on the Las Vegas Strip — and a delicious celebration of the people, restaurants and experiences that continue to make Las Vegas a world-class food and beverage destination.
