Reality Bites: Vegas UnStripped Festival Featuring Las Vegas’ Top Independent Chefs Is Confirmed

Following a wry April Fools’ prank, several of Las Vegas’ most acclaimed independent chef-restaurateurs have confirmed that the Vegas UnStripped event is a reality, set for May 12, 2018, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Under the full name The Feast of Friends presents Vegas UnStripped by Locals, the event will present dishes by more than 10 independent Las Vegas chefs at an undisclosed location in the Las Vegas Arts District. More information to follow, including beverage sponsors, entertainers and the not-to-be-missed afterparty.

Participating chefs include:

• Brian Howard – Sparrow + Wolf; 2017 Best New Restaurant of the Year, Desert Companion
• Chris Decker – Metro Pizza/Lulu’s Bread & Breakfast; Bronze Medalist, International Pizza Expo 2017
• Daniel Krohmer – Other Mama; 2016 One of the Best Restaurants in the Country, GQ Magazine
• James Trees – Esther’s Kitchen; 2018 Best Italian Restaurant, Desert Companion 
• Jamie Tran – The Black Sheep; 2017 Chef of the Year, EATER Vegas
• Justin Kingsley Hall – The Kitchen At Atomic; 2018 One of the Best Restaurants Near Fremont Street, Zagat
• Ralph Perrazzo – BBDs; USA Today Best of New York, Top 3 Best Restaurants in Long Island
• Sheridan Su – Flock & Fowl/Fat Choy; James Beard Foundation Best Chef Southwest Nomination, 2018
• Khai Vu – District One/Le Pho/Mordeo Wine Bar; 2014 Ethnic Restaurant of the Year, Desert Companion

“I’m excited to be a part of creating more awareness of our local dining scene,” said Chef Brian Howard. “At UnStripped, you won’t see anything phoned in. We are coming to impress.”

The event is being produced by Las Vegas-based marketing consultant Eric Gladstone (under The Feast of Friends banner), who saw a growing need for the off-Strip scene to be recognized.

“While the world knows Las Vegas Strip dining is incredible,” said Gladstone, “not enough attention is being paid to how great the off-Strip restaurants have become. They deserve their own spotlight.”

Advance tickets are available at www.vegasunstripped.com for $65 (plus fees). All of the chefs and organizers are volunteering their time in order to keep the price accessible to all. Any net proceeds will be donated to a local downtown-based charity.