Congrats to Chef Allison Spicer from Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort(D’Iberville, Miss.) who won the 2025 Casino Chef Showdown Online Recipe Contest. Her recipe for Blueberry Galette with Almond Frangipane, Vanilla Gelato & Blueberry Compote (Recipe) hit the spot with voters as she narrowly edged out the other final round contestant, Chef Michael Timmins from Island Resort and Casino (Harris, Michigan), and his recipe for Horizons Wellington (Recipe).
Look for a Chef Spotlight with Spicer in the September Casino Dining Guide, as well as other great recipes and great casino cuisine to check out on your next gambling getaway.
Thanks for all of the chefs who participated and be sure to check out all of the recipes below.
With the new year upon us it is the perfect time for gamblers to set resolutions that will elevate their gaming experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or an enthusiastic newcomer, making a few well-chosen commitments can lead to a more enjoyable, strategic, and profitable gambling year.
Here are some great gambling resolutions to kickstart your year and keep you on track for success.
When it comes to delivering a great casino guest experience, many factors come into play well before the guest ever steps foot onto the property. From the moment they go to the website or call for a reservation, there are perceptions and opinions that will go into determining if their visit was positive or not. When it comes to determining what makes guests happy, it takes a full team from player development and guest services to food and beverage and entertainment to make everything flow smooth and keep the guests smiling, all orchestrated by the management at the property. Many of the leaders in the industry have earned their way to the top through years of various roles and responsibilities that helped them sharpen their skills to be qualified to get the most from their team and deliver the ultimate experience for their guests.
One of the icons of the industry who always seems to work with her team to deliver the best for her guests is LuAnn Pappas, CEO of Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort in D’Iberville, Mississippi. She has blazed her trail for 39 years and doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
We recently caught up with her to hear more about her career, management philosophy and some of the trends in the industry over the years.
If you haven’t been to Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley in Minnesota recently, now is a great time for a return visit. Both offer vibrant gaming experiences, upscale accommodations, delectable dining options, awesome amenities, world-class entertainment, luxurious spas great golf and more. So when we heard about a recent multi-million dollar renovation to enhance the guest rooms and other property amenities, we had to get the scoop on what’s new, what’s the same and why players will love it. We caught up with Guest Experience Director, Ryan O’Brien, who shares some insight on how he ensures great player experiences and looks forward to welcoming guests.
Chef Aarón Sánchez has earned his way to the top of the culinary world from his early years learning from his grandmother who was a home chef who published her knowledge in a cookbook in 1987. He also learned his way around the kitchen by working at his mother’s restaurant in New York and really getting to know the ins and outs of the business.
After years of hard work and dedication working for others in the industry, today Chef Sanchez stays busy running his New Orleans restaurant, Johnny Sánchez, appearing on top cooking shows such as MasterChef and Chopped as both a judge and a chef. He is also driven to celebrate the Latin lifestyle through culinary expression and guests can see and taste that influence in every meal.
Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky announced an $80-$90 million renovation to the existing grandstand that will update ticketed seating options while significantly improving and adding to the amenities available for all guests in the grandstand area at the famed racetrack.
Construction on the Grandstand Club and Pavilion is scheduled to begin in August with completion planned in time for the 151st Kentucky Derby in May 2025.
When it comes to delivering a great casino guest experience, many factors come into play well before the guest ever steps foot onto the property. From the moment they go to the website or call for a reservation, there are perceptions and opinions that will go into determining if their visit was positive or not. When it comes to determining what makes guests happy, it takes a full team from player development and guest services to food and beverage and entertainment to make everything flow smooth and keep the guests smiling, all orchestrated by the management at the property. Many of the leaders in the industry have earned their way to the top through years of various roles and responsibilities that helped them sharpen their skills to be qualified to get the most from their team and deliver the ultimate experience for their guests.
If you haven’t been to 
