It’s easy to trace back the origins of the belief that celebrity chefs personally operate their establishments. An old menu from Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace hints: “If the individual at the far end of the bar resembles Gordon, it could very well be him.”

Engaging the Chefs

Caesars Entertainment aims to give the impression that visitors can meet Ramsay by dining at any of the six Las Vegas venues they host for him—so much so that the casino requires him to appear at each restaurant at least annually for a minimum of 24 hours.

During these visits, Ramsay is contractually required to pose for photographs as if his presence is part of his usual routine, rather than a stipulation to collect his $340K yearly name-licensing fee per restaurant, plus 5%-6% of the gross income that Caesars earns from these establishments.

This situation indicates a common understanding: once individuals start earning millions through television and passive income, they prefer not to spend their time preparing dishes like Crispy Skin Salmon after an evening at Mat Franco’s 7 p.m. show at the LINQ.

While celebrity chefs might contribute to their restaurant menus at times, it’s vital to note that they do not cook there. Selling food without a Nevada health card may be illegal.

Instead, the management of these restaurants is handled by the hotel’s food and beverage departments.

Evidence to Support the Claims

We became aware of Caesars’ arrangement with Ramsay following its disclosure in the Wall Street Journal, which occurred during the company’s bankruptcy proceedings in 2016.

It’s probable that Caesars and other gaming corporations maintain similar agreements with notable chefs such as Guy Fieri, José Andrés, Guy Savoy, Giada De Laurentiis, Michael Mina, and David Chang, although these contracts remain undisclosed.

The only guaranteed occasions for celebrity chefs to be present at their establishments are during grand openings.

Unfortunately for fans, these exclusive events are typically invite-only, allowing access only to celebrities and high-profile casino guests.

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