Casa Playa’s Executive Chef Sarah Thompson and Master Mixologist Mariena Mercer Boarini Bring a Taste of Las Vegas to NYC

Join us for a special dinner celebrating a few of the powerhouse women behind Wynn Las Vegas and its acclaimed coastal Mexican restaurant, Casa Playa.

Casa Playa is led by executive chef Sarah Thompson, a 2025 James Beard Award nominee® for Best Chef: Southwest, who is known for her thoughtful and bold approach to Mexican cuisine. Prior to Casa Playa, her impressive career led her through some of the most influential kitchens in the country, including roles at Marea and Wylie Dufresne’s Alder, and as the corporate sous chef at Andrew Carmellini’s NoHo Hospitality Group. But it was at Enrique Olvera’s Cosme where she fell in love with Mexican cuisine, sparking a long-lasting passion and culinary curiosity for its multi-faceted foodways.

Since opening Casa Playa in 2021, chef Sarah has built a team where over half the kitchen is powered by women—a tribute to her deep commitment to mentorship and representation. Joining chef Sarah will be Wynn’s master mixologist Mariena Mercer Boarini, who will inspire guests with accompanying craft cocktails that dazzle with innovative and modern flavors. In her role, Mariena is responsible for the beverage menus for 16 restaurants, 13 bars, and 11 additional programs throughout the resort. In 2015, Mariena took home the global title at the Opihr World Adventure Cocktail Competition in Morocco and has also been named “Top Bartender in Las Vegas” and one of the “Top 10 Female Bartenders in the World”. 

Join us for a taste of Las Vegas filled with passion and purpose, led by the women who make Casa Playa and Wynn Las Vegas thrive.