This week, we're venturing into the vibrant world of Mexican cuisine with executive chef Sarah Thompson of Casa Playa at Wynn Las Vegas. At Casa Playa, she presents a vibrant and creative menu featuring bright, California and Baja produce and seafood, woven together with a robust masa program–drawing upon her culinary expertise refined at New York City’s lauded Cosme. Chef Thompson graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, and amassed experience at some of New York City’s most noteworthy restaurants including Marea and Alder. As a hyper-regional coastal Mexican restaurant, the menu’s emphasis lies in locally selected seafood. Thompson sources nearly all of her fish from the Pacific coast, and similarly, she works with purveyors that source fresh, seasonal produce from 50 of the best farms across southwest Nevada, California, and Arizona–also receiving bi-weekly deliveries from the famed Santa Monica Farmers Market. Corn, chiles, and agave serve as the backbone of the Casa Playa menu and are sourced directly from small producers in Mexico via Masienda. Most notably, Chef Thompson’s masa program is incredibly layered and distinctive with six distinct corn varieties imported from Oaxaca and nixtamalized in house. Topics Discussed: Early Culinary Influences Transitioning to New York's Culinary Scene Diversity in Culinary Experiences The Masa Program at Casa Playa Navigating the Vegas Culinary Landscape Collaborative vs. Solo Work Embracing Diversity in Cuisine SARAH THOMPSON Sarah Thompson and Casa Playa -Wynn on Instagram Check out the menus at Casa Playa Podcast episode: How to Make and Use Masa with Masienda Founder Jorge Gaviria CHEFS WITHOUT RESTAURANTS If you enjoy the show and would like to support it financially, please check out our Sponsorship page (we get a commission when you use our links).   Get the Chefs Without Restaurants Newsletter Chefs Without Restaurants Instagram Chefs Without Restaurants on TikTok Chefs Without Restaurants on YouTube The Chefs Without Restaurants Private Facebook Group Chris Spear's personal chef business Perfect Little Bites  SPONSOR INFO  United States Personal Chef Association This episode is sponsored by the Unites States Personal Chef Association. Visit their website  and use code "Happyholidays2023" to save $100 on membership. To learn more about membership, advertising, or partnership opportunities, call Angela at 800-995-2138 ext. 705 or email [email protected]. Support the show