Pine Dining is a Summer Chef Cookout Series taking place over eight weekends at the site of the historic Mt. Charleston Lodge. Acclaimed Las Vegas chefs are invited to curate “cookout” weekends for the ultimate mountain dining experience with all proceeds going to the nonprofit of their choice.

For our first collaboration weekend Colin Fukunaga and Robert Magsalin of Fukuburger partner with Dan Coughlin of Le Thai.

Colin Fukunaga and partner Robert “Mags” Magsalin were at the forefront of the burgeoning Las Vegas Valley food truck movement. The idea for a mobile eatery was envisioned over many a Maker’s Mark-and-Coors Light-riddled bender. After deciding that serving balut while dressed as clowns might be too narrow a niche market, the duo decided upon Asian-inspired American fare instead. Fukuburger was unveiled in summer 2010. In 2011 they followed suit with the opening of Fukuburger LA, a brick-and-mortar location bringing a taste of Vegas to Hollywood.

The pair can be seen bickering all over the airwaves with appearances on Eat Street, the Great American Food Truck Race and Chopped.

Dan Coughlin grew up learning Thai cooking from his grandmother and mother—restaurant owner Nikki Bujadham of the King & I (Las Vegas). In 2007 he opened his first restaurant Mix Zone Cafe in the Medical District and experimented with cooking ideas that would end up being Le Thai, which opened in 2011 at the very beginning of the Fremont East restaurant age. In April 2018 Dan opened Le Thai 2 followed by 8 East inside of Circa Resort & Casino in 2020. 8 East features his takes on Pan-Asian dishes inspired by recipes he wrote while traveling to different countries in Asia. Dan is also involved in multiple projects downtown and in the Arts District, including partnerships at 18bin, Park on Fremont, and Vesta Coffee Roasters.

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