Chef Sarah Thompson on learning Mexican cooking at America's most legendary Mexican restaurant, creating her own unique coastal Mexican menu in Las Vegas, and what it’s like to be a rarity on the Vegas strip—a female Executive Chef episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 10, 2026 · 44 MIN

Chef Sarah Thompson on learning Mexican cooking at America's most legendary Mexican restaurant, creating her own unique coastal Mexican menu in Las Vegas, and what it’s like to be a rarity on the Vegas strip—a female Executive Chef

from Culinary Characters Unlocked · host Culinary Characters Unlocked

Chef Sarah Thompson says cooking for others, even as a teenager, always brought her joy. When she was a sophomore in high school, she decided it would be her career. After the Culinary Institute of America and a stint at Michelin-starred Marea in New York, she learned Mexican cooking at Cosme, the most celebrated Mexican fine dining restaurant in America. Now she’s in Las Vegas, doing a unique coastal Mexican cuisine at Casa Playa, featuring seafood, an assortment of massive meals to be shared by the table, and a totally-from-scratch masa program, with tortillas made to order.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Chef Sarah Thompson on learning Mexican cooking at America's most legendary Mexican restaurant, creating her own unique coastal Mexican menu in Las Vegas, and what it’s like to be a rarity on the Vegas strip—a female Executive Chef

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