Sarah Thompson, executive chef at Casa Playa at Wynn Las Vegas, was recognized with the James Beard Award in the category of Best Chef: Southwest at the annual awards ceremony at the Lyric Opera in Chicago June 15. The accolade marked the first time in 15 years that a Las Vegas chef has won the award.

Thompson, who was also nominated for the award last year, was one of three Las Vegas finalists in this year’s Beard Awards. She first came to Las Vegas from New York City with the ATM Group to help open Elio at Encore in 2020, and when that restaurant—the first Mexican restaurant at Wynn—closed and transformed into Casa Playa, Thompson stayed on to lead the kitchen. Casa Playa has since earned a reputation for its innovative coastal cuisine as one of the best Mexican restaurants in Las Vegas.

“It is a huge honor to receive this award … and a testament to the hard work, passion, and hospitality of my entire team,” Thompson said in a statement. “Every day, we work together to make Casa Playa a place that celebrates the vibrant flavors, fresh ingredients, and soulful traditions of Mexico—many of the reasons why I fell in love with Mexican cuisine. It’s an incredible privilege to work with such talented people who help bring this vision to life at Wynn Las Vegas.”