Three Chefs Advance to the Final Round of the Casino Chef Showdown

The votes have been counted in the 2026 Casino Chef Showdown and we are ready for the final round of voting to crown this year’s Culinary King of the Casino. Voting will take place July 14-17 for the final 3 chefs to determine the champion. Congrats to Chef Willie Gaspard (Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel), Chef Steven Song (FireKeepers Casino Hotel) and Chef Jackson Reichel (Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort) for advancing and good luck in the final round.

Voters will receive another entry for a Casino Getaway to the casino of their choice that includes an overnight stay, dinner at the fine dining restaurant at the property, gambling money and more.

Following an outstanding first round of voting, thousands of readers helped determine which chefs would move on to the finals. This year’s competition also made Casino Chef Showdown history with an exact tie for second place, meaning three chefs will compete for the championship instead of the originally planned two.

Voting for the Championship Round takes place Tuesday, July 14, and continues through Friday, July 17. Readers may vote once each day giving fans multiple opportunities to support their favorite chef and earn another chance for the Casino Getaway.

Championship Round Finalists

Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich – Chef Steven Song – FireKeepers Casino Hotel-Battle Creek

Mexi-Cajun Shrimp and Grits – Chef Willie Gaspard – Cypress Bayou Casino & Hotel

Pistachio Crusted Grouper – Chef Jackson Reichel – Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort

The 2026 Casino Chef Showdown featured seven talented chefs representing premier casino resorts from across the country. Each competitor showcased a signature dish that reflected the creativity, innovation, and high-quality dining experiences now found throughout the casino industry.

Although only three chefs remain in contention for the championship, all seven participating chefs will be featured in the September edition of Southern & Midwest Gaming & Destinations’ annual Casino Dining Guide. Readers can look forward to chef profiles, signature recipes, and highlights of the exceptional restaurants found at each participating casino resort.

The chef receiving the most votes during the Championship Round will earn the title of 2026 Casino Chef Showdown Champion, receive editorial recognition in the September issue, and be featured prominently across Gaming & Destinations’ print, digital, and social media platforms.

Congratulations to all seven participating chefs for an outstanding competition, and thank you to everyone who voted in Round One. Be sure to return each day July 14–17 to cast your vote and help decide this year’s champion.

See below for all seven of the recipes entered for this years contest.