Vegas Magazine - Niche Media - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/810324
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Chef Lorena Garcia in her kitchen; Venetian and Palazzo president George Markantonis and Sebastien Silvestri, vice president of food and beverage, welcome Garcia to the Wall of Chefs; spicy tuna ceviche; braised pork plantain leaf tamales; watercress and chicken avocado salad- stuffed arepas. LORENA GARCIA BUST S INTO THE BOYS' CLUB (AGAIN) TO OPEN HER RESTAURANT IN VENETIAN. BY JIM BEGLEY HOLA, CHICA! In February, Venetian added a 21-foot-tall photo of Top Chef Masters alum and Miami, Atlanta, and Dallas chef and restaurateur Lorena Garcia to its Wall of Chefs—the first woman in the mix, holding her own between Mario Batali and Emeril Lagasse—in anticipa- tion of the May opening of her restaurant Chica. Her plans, too, are unlike any other on the Strip: South and Central American fare blending the cultures of Peru, Mexico, Argentina, and her native Venezuela in the former db Brasserie space. She's dubbed the food "fresh, modern Latin." "Modern because it's my interpretation of what new Latin classics are about today," she says, "and Latin because we have all the fla- vors of Latin America represented in these amaz- ing dishes." Owned by the Miami-based 50 Eggs, which also owns Venetian's Yardbird Southern Table & Bar, her decidedly feminine restaurant will be pushing out a rotating selection of ceviches from the cold bar, churrascaria grilled meats, and Venezuelan arepas, all of which you can wash down with wines from a menu highlighting South American vineyards. Reflecting on her place on the testosterone-laden wall, she suggests to young female chefs, "Be a master in what you do. Prepare yourself. Work. Learn from the best. Find your mentor. Dedicate your time to travel, to study, to cook, and to learn." The eternally optimistic Garcia notes that it "doesn't matter if you're a chica or chico. If you know what you're doing and you're passion- ate about food, I'm sure that success will be right there." We suggest you reflect on this wisdom over a glass from her collection of wines by female vintners from every country in South America. Venetian, 702- 430-1235; venetian.com . 56 VEGASMAGAZINE.COM WOMEN of INFLUENCE PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIK KABIK PHOTOGRAPHY (EVENT) SCENE DINE