Wynn Magazine - Las Vegas
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/386731
Schoenegger: Growing up in an isolated area like the Dolomites, as beautiful as it is, motivated me to explore the world, and in doing so, I have been exposed to so much art. I had the pleasure to observe Sandro Chia while he painted his famous mural in Palio [the 128-foot mural of the Palio horse race in Siena, which Chia painted in the Palio Bar on West 51st Street in New York City], and I met Andy Warhol in the early years there. I cooked for Frank Sinatra on several occasions, which really helped shape the Sinatra experience. Yu: I draw inspiration every day I am in the dining room, but just being in Wynn and Encore and experiencing how the colors and décor compliment each other makes me think more creatively. And we are so immersed in the space; I actually designed our Peking Duck carts specifically for the room. Chen: I'm always thinking about creating art. Of course, I'm inspired by other chefs at Wynn; the multidimensional, sculptural quality of our wok-fried Wagyu beef with black pepper sauce served on a crispy deep-fried noodle basket is directly inspired by my experience of the resort and its art. Who inspires you at Wynn? Yu: I like to talk to my friend [Mizumi chef] Devin Hashimoto. We talk a lot about ideas for presentations, and his Big Island Abalone and Black Truffle Chawanmushi [a riff on a Japanese egg custard dish] is pure art. Chen: The Wynn and Encore buildings themselves are pieces of art. I still remember the first time I came to Las Vegas, just staying here and looking and looking. It reminds me every day that we have this impeccable, five-star resort, and we strive to create artful food that maintains that standard. Schoenegger: Popeye! How can you not be inspired by that guy? n photography by sabin orr (food); barbara kraft (wing lei) 56 Wynn FOOD SPOTLIGHT Chef Ming Yu in the kitchen at Wing Lei (above) and his colorful creation: crab salad with mango and avocado. The main dining room at Wing Lei inspires the chef's plating presentations.