Meet the Chefs

With an impressive amount of experience and their unmatched dedication to cooking, our chefs will always do their best to make sure you enjoy your meal.

Chef Nic

Executive Chef

Chef Nic is from Rockford, Illinois. He joins Aliante with 18 years of culinary experience. He has held several key positions at Strip and Local properties including Pastry Chef, Banquet Chef, Executive Chef and most recently as Executive Sous Chef. Chef Nic is a member of charitable groups such as March of Dimes and the American Cancer Association. He has also been featured in a cookbook, "Raos on the Grill" published in 2014. In 2005, Chef Nic took 1st place in an Iron Chef Competition event that was held in Chicago. During his spare time, Chef Nic enjoys camping in Northern California, off roading in Arizona, and fishing in Wisconsin.

Day	Time

Chef Manny

Room Chef | Salted Lime

Chef Manny of the Salted Lime has been a Chef in Las Vegas since 1998, with an emphasis on Mexican cuisine. He has been at the Aliante since 2016. Chef Manny enjoys volunteering at his son's school and spending time with his family outside of work.

Day	Time

Chef Fermin

Room Chef | MRKT sea & land

Chef Fermin’s culinary inspiration came from his mother. He says, "my Mom was the best cook in my life". He has worked in the Food and Beverage industry since 1987 in various capacities including sous-chef, room chef and executive chef. He enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, wife, and sons.

Day	Time

Chef Nelson

Banquet Chef | Sales & Catering

Nelson Cortez was inspired at a young age by watching his mother and father prepare traditional meals and quickly found a passion for the culinary arts. Today, he oversees the rapidly growing Catering and Banquets culinary team with his expertise in special event food production, including the execution of menus, ordering of products and managing staff.

“The atmosphere and culture at Aliante is very inviting,” said Cortez. “We all work together and there is a strong sense of teamwork throughout the property. I enjoy coming to work every day and putting my heart into everything we prepare.”

Prior to joining Aliante, Cortez served as part-owner and executive chef of El Torito Grill and executive chef of Crews of California Rock & Brew in Los Angeles. His previous experience also includes time at Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa, Sodexo Campus Services and the Radisson Wilshire Plaza Hotel, among others. Cortez has received numerous accolades in cooking competitions and is a culinary graduate of Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC).

In his free time, Cortez enjoys playing soccer, cooking and putting together brainteasers with his wife and two children.

Day	Time

Chef Shawn

Room Chef | FARM 24•7

A former business owner, Shawn Brown left the corporate world to follow his joy of food and started his culinary career at Aliante in 2011. He has since grown within the property with hard work and dedication to become room chef at FARM 24-7, Aliante’s 24-hour farm-to-table café.

“My favorite thing about my job is when customers call me to their table to tell me how much they enjoyed our food,” said Brown. “My goal is to create a feeling of home in the restaurant and treat each and every guest like part of our family.”

In his position, Brown is responsible for overseeing all kitchen operations for the 24-hour café, including ordering ingredients, scheduling staff, working with management and maintaining the highest health and safety standards.

Brown began his career at Aliante at Medley Buffet and has worked his way up through Bistro 57 to his current role at FARM 24-7. He studied at The Art Institute of Las Vegas and Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts while working a full-time job to pursue his dream and is inspired by the happiness and togetherness that food can offer.

Brown was a professional drummer for 14 years and enjoys spending time with his children as much as possible, often watching popular cooking and travel shows on The Food Network.

Day	Time

Chef Todd

Room Chef | Medley Buffet / Pool / Room Service

Todd began his culinary career in Chicago, Illinois in 1976. His work experience includes Ritz Carlton and Barnys Marketclub in Chicago. He moved to Las Vegas and created a restaurant and bar in a local hotel, and moved on to several other restaurants in Las Vegas before coming to Aliante. He is passionate about supporting his team and ensuring that his guests return. Todd enjoys golfing and bowling, and travelling with his wife and two sons.

Day	Time

Chef Mario

Room Chef | Bistro 57

Chef Mario began his career at the San Diego Hilton. Since moving to Las Vegas, he has worked on the Strip and for several Local's properties. "I like to work in an establishment that allows me the freedom to creatively display my culinary skills and enhance the dining experience for every guest".

Day	Time