Frank Sinatra’s name is synonymous with style, timeless music, and…Vegas. For one day only, fans and food enthusiasts have a rare opportunity to step into his culinary world, right here in Sin City. As part of the Connoisseur by Wynn series – a summer program offering intimate, exclusive experiences with world-class experts – Wynn Las Vegas is hosting a unique master class dedicated to Ol’ Blue Eyes himself.
Cooking, Frank’s Way
The event takes place on June 19 at 12 PM, inside the resort’s signature Italian restaurant Sinatra. Here, you can expect a lively cooking demonstration by Executive Chef Theo Schoenegger. Chef Theo actually had the privilege of cooking for the legendary entertainer! Now, he’ll teach guests how to prepare the Italian-American classics that Frank loved. The demonstration is followed by a casual lunch where Chef Theo will share personal memories of serving the icon.
What’s it like to cook for Sinatra?
If you think that a superstar of Sinatra’s magnitude demanded overly complicated dishes, you might be surprised. In an interview with Tasting Table, Chef Theo recalls that the singer was remarkably unpretentious when it came to his meals. Rather than modern plating – which he had no patience for – Sinatra preferred comforting Italian staples.
A proper meal always began with a platter of cured meats, specifically prosciutto. From there, he favored familiar classics like veal Milanese, osso buco, and clam pasta. Above all, there was one specific pasta dish he insisted on having every single time Chef Theo cooked for him. He loved a simple, perfect plate of spaghetti alla chitarra with fresh basil and tomato sauce.
Oh, and no meal was complete without his signature beverage of choice: a glass of Jack Daniel’s.
The man who changed Vegas
Every local knows: it’s only fitting that this culinary tribute takes place in Vegas. Our city’s identity is forever intertwined with Sinatra’s legacy.
Arriving in the early 1950s, when the Strip was pretty much a dusty highway, Sinatra became the trigger that transformed Vegas into the glam entertainment capital of the world. Through his residencies at the Sands Hotel with the Rat Pack, his sharp tuxedos, and his unparalleled charm, he defined the concept of ‘Vegas cool’.
Beyond the glitz and glam, his influence left a lasting cultural mark. He famously used his leverage to help desegregate the city’s casinos, insisting that his Black contemporaries, like Sammy Davis Jr., be allowed to stay in the hotels where they performed. Simply put – the Vegas we know today wouldn’t exist without the one and only Frank Sinatra.
You can make your reservation for the “Cooking, Frank’s way” experience here.
