Beloved foodie festival comes to the Palms on April 27
Ever felt overwhelmed by the Las Vegas restaurant scene? Join the club! With new hotspots popping up faster than you can say “comped cocktail,” keeping up with local dining is a full-time job.
Thankfully, Vegas Unstripped is back to solve your culinary FOMO on Sunday, April 27, at the Palms Casino Resort pool.
This isn’t your average stuffy food event with tiny portions and snooty service. Vegas Unstripped brings together more than 30 of the city’s most talented chefs—from James Beard nominees to “Top Chef” and “Chopped” champions—all creating one-night-only dishes that let them flex their culinary muscles outside their restaurant comfort zones.
Remember when Chef Jamie Tran of The Black Sheep debuted a salmon-skin taco at a previous Vegas Unstripped? That experimental bite is now one of her most requested dishes.
Similarly, Adam Rios of Al Solito Posto once served an empanada that would never appear on his Italian restaurant’s menu but became the talk of the town. Think of it as culinary R&D, with you as the deliciously willing test subject.
Founded by the community-minded duo Eric Gladstone and James Trees, Vegas Unstripped aims to spotlight off-Strip talent that often gets overshadowed by their glitzier Strip counterparts. Because let’s be honest—sometimes we’re all too lazy to drive even 15 minutes to try a new restaurant, no matter how many Yelp stars it has.
In addition to the food frenzy, about a dozen top mixologists will be crafting specialty cocktails. As Gladstone wisely points out, “We don’t expect people to try 30 cocktails!” (Challenge accepted, Eric?)
The star-studded lineup this year reads like a Who’s Who of Vegas culinary royalty. Brian Howard of Sparrow & Wolf brings his James Beard semi-finalist credentials, while Bruce Kalman of SoulBelly BBQ arrives with both a James Beard nomination and a “Chopped” championship under his belt.
Gina Marinelli will represent both La Strega and Harlø Steakhouse, proving that some chefs can indeed be in two places at once—at least in spirit.
Celebrity-spotting foodies will be pleased to know that while some big names will be cooking, other top chefs will simply mingle with the crowd. It’s like a backstage pass to the Vegas food scene, minus the security guards and awkward selfie requests.
The poolside setting at Palms creates the perfect laid-back vibe for this culinary carnival. With food stations scattered throughout, you can strategize your eating approach like a Vegas pro. Start light? Go straight for the most decadent dish? The choice is yours, though we recommend stretching beforehand. Food marathons require training.
Best of all, this epicurean extravaganza serves a purpose beyond satisfying your cravings. After covering production costs, proceeds benefit the John Arena Foundation, Help of Southern Nevada, and ProStart, a culinary arts program developing future kitchen superstars.
Tickets remain at the refreshingly “pre-inflation” price of $150.00, available at vegasunstripped.com. All attendees must be 21+.
With the event growing bigger each year but keeping prices steady, Vegas Unstripped proves that sometimes the best bets in Vegas aren’t at the gaming tables—they’re at the chef’s tables.
Vesgas Unstripped 2025
- Who: Cutting-edge Las Vegas chefs
- What: One-night-only dishes and specialty cocktails served outdoors
- When: April 27
- Where: Poolside @ the Palms
- Price: $150
Vegas Unstripped is an independent, not-for-profit event highlighting local chefs. The festival has so far donated nearly $30,000 locally
