A Peek Inside Revelry, Las Vegas’ Culinary Extravaganza With Blockbuster Bites And Bourbon By Ian Somerhalder

I am here from Delhi. And here’s the thing, Las Vegas doesn’t just do “extra”; it does extra with fireworks, big budget drama, and a side of dumplings so decadent they might have been conceived by gods with rose gold chopsticks. It’s Saturday at ‘The Feast’, the unapologetic opening act of Revelry, a sprawling culinary extravaganza at the hotel, Wynn Las Vegas. I’ve been to food festivals before, but this? This is more than just bites and sips, more like a global passport stamped with Michelin stars, shaken with top-shelf cocktails, and served on plates that could moonlight as fine art. A kind of culinary speed dating, and honestly, I’m here for it. Imagine five realms of food, a literal smorgasbord, each universe brimming with its own edible quirks, and I’m armed with a glass of Duckhorn Chardonnay. 

Feast Meets Fantasy

The vibe? Think Cirque du Soleil meets Shangri-La, set against a soundtrack that bounces from Mambo Italiano to techno drum beats. Imagine a 260-pound bluefin tuna making a grand entrance like a VIP guest. Flown overnight from Japan, it was ceremonially introduced before the chefs got to work, knives slicing with a precision that felt almost reverent. Moments later, it reappears as pristine sushi, sashimi, and handrolls. Pure theatre. 

The chefs are a who’s who of culinary royalty. Antonia Lofaso owner of restaurants Black Marker Liquor Bar, Scopa Italian Roots and Dama in Los Angeles, charms one corner with her bold Italian inflections; Aaron May who calls himself Chef and raconteur travelling across the world for Bourbon and the corner piece of lasagna, carves into beef Wellington like the Chuckwagon whisperer he clearly is; Shirley Chung, an American Chinese chef best known for her appearances in Top Chef and Food Network’s Tournament of Champions, fondly known as the Dumpling Mafia in Los Angeles, slays with squid ink dumplings stuffed with uni and shrimp mousse that practically melt into velvet. Jennifer Yee’s (Executive Pastry Chef at the Wynn, Las Vegas) pastries hum with artistry; her desserts feel dangerous but utterly irresistible. Even actor Ian Somerhalder – yes, Damon Salvatore from the hit fantasy drama series The Vampire Diaries – himself materialises to flaunt his Brother’s Bond Bourbon. 

We also got a sneak peek of Wynn Al Marjan Island, where Mathew Goodlet’s (Vice President of Culinary at the upcoming Wynn Al Marjan Island) culinary team painted Ras Al Khaimah’s culinary identity on a global canvas. The King Crab & Saffron Tartlet with labneh cream was subtle opulence, while Medjool Date Chantilly with Arabic coffee felt like a love letter to local tradition. Each bite whispered the story of a region where hospitality isn’t just served, it’s lived, making the $5.1 billion resort’s debut all the more tantalising. Sip by sip, bite by bite, it’s indulgence squared. As I strolled, it felt like I’d stepped onto the set of a gastronomiccircus, colours, aromas, and culinary talent swirling around me like a piñata bursting at the seams. Forget licking the screen. You’ll want to book a flight and throw in stretchy jeans while you’re at it.

Forks Up, Expectations Higher

And at the heart of this extravaganza are the culinary collaboration dinners, three evenings so deliciously audacious that choosing just one feels like picking between Oscar nominees. ‘Farm to Knife’ is already circled (twice) in my planner. Three Michelin-starred Chef Kyle Connaughton, who spent several years working in elite restaurants in Japan, the UK and LA before creating his dream project with his farmer wife Katina Connaughton, aka Single Thread Farms, teamed up with Chef Jeff Ramsey, who helms Mizumi Las Vegas, for an afternoon of farm meets flavour storytelling. And then there was ‘A Twist of Plates’ at Casa Playa, where Michelin-starred Chef Junghyun Park, Co-owner, Atomix New York (also the No. 1 restaurant in North America in the 50 Best Restaurants List) and James Beard finalist Chef Sarah Thompson celebrated the edible intersection of skill and imagination.

And those desserts? Jennifer Yee delivers creations so stunning, you may hesitate to eat them. But ‘The Tastemakers’, at Pisces Bar & Seafare tempts me most, where James Beard winner Chef Douglas Keane of ‘Cyrus’ fame pairs innovation, teaming up with Chef Martin Heierling for a menu that is no less than a  ‘masterpiece’ with wining and dining finesse in a way that promises goosebumps. Josh Gaulin, Executive Pastry Chef at Cyrus Restaurant, closes the show with dessert, while cocktails from Mariena Mercer Boarini dazzle like liquid gold. It’s $500, but honestly, the bragging rights? Priceless. The bottom line? I am prepared well with my wallet, and my appetite for standing ovations at every course.

Brisket, Bourbon, Burgers, Culinary Dreams Delivered 

The Connoisseur Classes are the festival’s sleeper hit, a line-up of intimate, hands-on sessions that take you beyond the plate. And trust me, they’re worth skipping brunch for. If you’ve ever wondered how pitmasters coax that smoky magic from barbecue pits, ‘All Fired Up’  Mastering the Art of BBQ is your gospel. Burt Bakman of Slab Barbecue and Daniel Castillo of Heritage Barbecue, San Juan Capistrano, school you on rubs, sauces, and grilling secrets, think of them as BBQ whisperers who turn briskets into poetry. 

But maybe whisky is more your vibe? ‘Connoisseur Whisky Tasting’ with Mahesh Patel, founder, Universal Whisky Experience, showcases a global liquid tour paired with bites worthy of SW Steakhouse. For cocktail enthusiasts (or TVD fans), Ian Somerhalder pours bourbon wisdom during the ‘Brother’s Bond Bourbon Cocktail Clash’, yes, I sipped. Yes, I was cool. And then there’s ‘Bubbles + Burgers.’ Antonia Lofaso, Dominique Crenn, famed as the first female chef in the United States to be honoured with a 3 Michelin star for her flagship restaurant Atelier Crenn in San Francisco, and Angie Mar of Restaurant Le. B in New York elevated a guilty pleasure to near religious heights with champagne pairings. Revelry doesn’t just feed you, it teaches you how to impress at gatherings. By the end, you’ll swear your kitchen needs its own Michelin star. Here’s the thing about the future: it has a way of sneaking up on you with unexpected perks.

Come 2027, Wynn Al Marjan Island will rise like a sleek mirage 305 meters above the Arabian Gulf, all shimmering glass and effortless luxury. Floor-to-ceiling windows, lush gardenesque lounges, and waterfront views that could make a poet weep, it’s Wynn, distilled. And the best part? Who knows, the next ‘Revelry’ won’t require a transcontinental flight for me. Instead, I’ll be indulging in all that culinary pageantry just a quick jaunt from home. That’s a future I can taste already. 

This premier culinary festival is on until September 27.

For more information, visit www.lasvegasrevelry.com.