Welcome Chef Church to Cooking Class Lineup

“From the Pantry” by Carole Kotkin, Carysfort Kitchen Manager

The winner of “Chopped” 2018 season, Johnny Church, heard his call to the culinary arts while working at his mother’s restaurant in Flint, Michigan at the tender age of 12. Chef Church’s rapid ascent in the culinary industry began in Las Vegas, where Wine Spectator magazine named him one of the city’s “Rising Chefs.” He now has his own culinary consulting firm and is about to open a new restaurant. He most recently was Corporate Executive Chef for Golden Entertainment, Inc. where he oversaw th company’s restaurant program at its eight casinos and the nearly 60 taverns operated in Nevada by PT’s Entertainment Group.

Chef Michelle Bernstein had to cancel her class and dinner due to an unforeseen date conflict. Thanks to Executive Chef Andrea Van Willigan, her friend, Chef Johnny Church, has graciously accepted our invitation to step in and teach Destination: Las Vegas Interactive Class at Carysfort Kitchen on Tuesday, March 10 and a Vine to Table Dinner the same night.

Before his position at Golden Entertainment, he helped oversee operations at several Vegas establishments, including Turnberry Place; Charlie Palmer’s Aureole at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino; Andre’s at Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino; Alize, at the top of the Palms Hotel and Casino; Paris Hotel and Casino’s Eiffel Tower Restaurant.

When he was chef de cuisine at AJ’s Steakhouse at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, he was named one of the “Top Chefs de Cuisine” in Las Vegas by Las Vegas Life Magazine. Chef Church was an integral part of Bradley Ogden’s Root- 246 in Solvang, California as Executive Chef, and then Executive Chef for Michael Mina at XIV in Los Angeles. He was then called on to open and co-concept Rx Boiler Room, which was named best new restaurant by Desert Companion magazine. Church went on to the position of Executive Chef of Aureole at Mandalay Bay.

He has received many culinary awards: 2014 NVRA Culinarian of the Year; 2015 Best Chef Off the Strip by SEVEN Magazine. In 2015, Artisanal Foods Café won Best Surprise Restaurant by Desert Companion magazine. Best Chef Off the Strip by SEVEN Magazine 2015. In 2016, won top 50 essential restaurants by Eating Las Vegas while at Artisanal Foods Café. In 2016, Artisanal Café was among the top 50 essential restaurants by Eating Las Vegas.

Sip sparkling wine, stir, and sauté along with Johnny Church as you enjoy a morning cooking step-by-step at your own table alongside fellow Members.

Destination: Las Vegas Menu

• Classic Caesar Salad with Anchovy, Parmesan, Brioche Croutons
• King Salmon Tartare with Yuzu Vinaigrette, Sesame Crackers
• Chicken Fried Snapper with Green Tartar Sauce, Spiced Slaw
• Mache Green Tea Panna Cotta with Li Hing Mui dusted Pineapple