Joseph Zanelli Named Executive Chef Botero

New Restaurant Concept to Debut in Botero Space

LAS VEGAS (Aug. 19, 2015) – Wynn Las Vegas looks forward to welcoming Joseph Zenelli back to the resort as executive chef of Botero, the steakhouse at Encore. Zanelli will bring his experience and skill to Botero as executive chef until Nov. 1, when the restaurant will close and he will then oversee a new concept that will debut in the space.

Zanelli was part of the opening Wynn culinary team; his tenure at the resort included serving as executive chef of in-room dining, working under chef David Walzog as chef de cuisine at Lakeside and executive chef at The Country Club – a New American Steakhouse.

“Joe played an important role in shaping the resort’s culinary direction as part of the opening team,” said Wynn Las Vegas senior vice president of food and beverage, Steve Weitman. “We are looking forward to his return and developing a new concept that will further enhance the Encore dining program.”

Spending time in his grandmother’s kitchen as a child gave Zanelli his initial passion. His passion formalized when he enrolled in the New England Culinary Institute and embarked on his professional culinary career. He repeatedly contributed to New York Times 3 stars reviews including under Laurent Tourondel at Cello, as Sous Chef at Asian Seafood Restaurant AZ under Patricia Yeo, and at Café Boulud. In Las Vegas, Zanelli has held prestigious titles of sous chef at Michael Mina’s Aqua at Bellagio; chef de cuisine of Lutece at the Venetian Hotel; executive chef of The Mansion at MGM Grand; and, most recently, managing partner with Elizabeth Blau & Associates responsible for oversight of Honey Salt, Made L.V. and Andiron Steak & Sea.

ABOUT WYNN LAS VEGAS

Wynn and Encore Las Vegas are two luxury hotel and casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. The iconic travel destinations are operated by international resort developer Wynn Resorts, recipient of more Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Awards than any other independent hotel company in the world. Wynn Las Vegas opened on April 28, 2005 and has been recognized as the best resort in Nevada on Condé Nast Traveler’s “Gold List” for six consecutive years. The resort features 2,714 lavish guest rooms and suites, more than 111,000 square feet of state-of-the-art casino space, 14 casual and fine dining restaurants, a spa and salon and an on-site Ferrari and Maserati dealership and 18-hole golf course. Wynn Las Vegas is home to Le Rêve – The Dream, the aquatic and aerial theatrical experience named Best Show in Las Vegas for four consecutive years, and Steve Wynn’s ShowStoppers, a production with 35 singers and dancers and a full 31-piece on-stage orchestra composed of quintessential numbers from some of the most celebrated composers and lyricists to ever grace American theater stages. Encore, an expansion of Wynn Las Vegas, opened on Dec. 22, 2008. Featuring an additional 2,034 all-suite accommodations, a 72,000-square-foot casino, five restaurants and a spa and salon, Encore is located adjacent to Wynn Las Vegas. Combined, the two resorts boast four distinct nightlife and day club experiences, approximately 283,000 square feet of meeting space and 98,000 square feet of retail space. For more information on Wynn and Encore Las Vegas, visit www.wynnpressroom.com, follow on Twitter and Instagram at @WynnLasVegas and www.facebook.com/wynnlasvegas.