LAS VEGAS, NV – Following the event and the final tally of chef and bar expenses, Vegas Unstripped announced $15,500 in donations from this year’s event to local charities. Included were $12,500 to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, a nonprofit that provides therapeutic residential treatment and other critical services for abused and neglected children throughout Nevada, and $3,000 to The Mat Project, a local organization that upcycles plastic bags into eco-friendly bed mats for people experiencing homelessness in the Las Vegas tunnels. Since its inception in 2018, Vegas Unstripped has donated more than $85,000 to local charities.
The seventh Vegas Unstripped took place on April 26, 2026, at the Palms Casino Resort pool deck, bringing together more than three dozen of the Las Vegas Valley’s top chefs and bartenders. Each participating chef and bartender debuted an original dish or cocktail created exclusively for the event, giving guests a rare opportunity to experience one-of-a-kind culinary creations unavailable anywhere else. This year’s entertainment was highlighted by M.C. Jason Harris, DJ Nightweapons and local indie rockers Soft Echo.
Originally created by Chef James Trees (Esther’s Kitchen/Timeless Hospitality Portfolio) and The Feast of Friends founder Eric Gladstone, Vegas Unstripped was established as a not-for-profit venture to spotlight the exceptional culinary talent found throughout the Las Vegas valley. Since its inaugural event behind Esther’s Kitchen in 2018, the festival has grown to attract more than 1,000 attendees and features the city’s top chefs, bartenders and local brewers showcasing their creativity and craftsmanship. Heather Vincent joined as Event Producer in 2024.
“Vegas Unstripped is truly a community event,” said Gladstone, “And after all is said and done, we are honored and humbled not only to be able to celebrate Las Vegas’ best talent but also to pay something forward to local charities that are underserved.”
About Vegas Unstripped and The Feast of Friends
Vegas Unstripped is Las Vegas’ only festival by chefs, about chefs, and for the Vegas community. Participating chefs represent the cutting edge of independent talent in Las Vegas, and are challenged to create unique dishes for the night reflecting their culinary passions. The evening is augmented by beverages from Las Vegas’ best local bars, local musicians, local art and more. Created in 2018 as a reaction to the Strip-focused Vegas Uncork’d event (now defunct), Vegas Unstripped initially only invited chefs working off-Strip but now welcomes Vegas chefs regardless of where they cook, offering open submissions. All necessary expenses of the independent chef/restaurateur are covered by event revenue to the extent possible, with net proceeds going to underserved local charities. To date, VU has donated over $85,000.
The Feast of Friends is a multi-faceted branding agency, incorporating brand development, traditional and digital marketing, media & influencer relations, social media, websites and events based in Las Vegas and focused on independent food & beverage.
About Palms Casino Resort
Palms Casino Resort is making history as the first resort in Las Vegas fully owned and operated by a Native American Tribe. Palms Casino Resort features two distinct towers with 766 hotel rooms and suites, a diverse mix of bars, restaurants, live entertainment venues, and immersive lifestyle experiences across a 95,000-square-foot reimagined casino. Offering free valet and self-parking, the resort also includes over 190,000 square feet of meeting, convention, and event space; the Pearl, a 2,500-seat theater; an expansive pool, The Spa & Salon at Palms; the Brenden Theatre 14-screen cinema and nearly 600 units at Palms Place condominiums.
Palms is located just west of the center of the Las Vegas Strip off I-15 on Flamingo Road. Palms Casino Resort is owned by The San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority (“SMGHA”) an affiliate of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. For more information visit http://www.palms.com/ or the Palms Press Room. Follow Palms on social media Facebook Twitter Instagram.
