Alessandro Stratta
Encyclopedia
Alessandro Stratta is a celebrity chef
and restaurateur
of mixed Italian
and French heritage. Stratta played the role of Iron Chef Italian on the television show Iron Chef USA
. He was the recipient of the James Beard Foundation
award for Best Chef Southwest in 1998 and was executive chef and owner of his famous namesake restaurant, Alex
, in Las Vegas
until its closure on January 15, 2011. He was diagnosed with colon cancer and became cancer survivor.
born to parents from locales well-known for their culinary traditions; his Italian
father is from the Piedmont
region, and his French mother from Nice along the Côte d'Azur. As his father was president of Princess Hotels & Resorts
, he spent much of his early life living in luxurious resorts in countries all over the world, including Singapore, Malaysia, Italy, France, Mexico, and Pakistan; this upbringing helped him become fluent in French, Italian
, Spanish, and English. Stratta attended the California Culinary Academy
in San Francisco, California and graduated with honors in 1983.
. He then accepted an internship at the Hôtel de Paris in Monaco; soon after, Alain Ducasse
invited Stratta to join the team at his Louis XV restaurant there. After two years, Stratta returned to the United States, and at Ducasse's recommendation began working for Daniel Boulud
at Le Cirque
in New York City. Both Ducasse and Boulud acted as mentors who heavily influenced Stratta's development as both a chef
and restaurateur
; Stratta credits Ducasse with showing him "how to make basic, simple food taste phenomenal", and Boulud for his creative influences as well as business skills.
in Scottsdale
, Arizona. While there, he was featured in Food & Wine Magazine
as one of "America's Ten Best New Chefs". Under his tenure, the restaurant earned a 4-star rating from the Mobil
Travel Guide and also received critical acclaim as the best restaurant in the Phoenix
area.
In 1998, Stratta became executive chef of the Renoir restaurant at The Mirage
in Las Vegas
after being invited by Steve Wynn
. The restaurant earned Mobil
Travel Guide's highest rating of 5 stars just six months after opening.
In 2005, Stratta opened his namesake restaurant Alex
– once again at the invitation of Steve Wynn
, but this time for the grand opening of Wynn's namesake casino
resort
and country club
, Wynn Las Vegas
. Stratta's restaurant was billed as a "triumph" and has been extremely well reviewed; it received ratings of 5 stars from the Mobil
Travel Guide, 5 diamonds from the AAA
Restaurant Ratings, and 2 stars from the Michelin Guide
.
, where he was nicknamed the "Italian Scallion
". Although he describes himself as "not that competitive", Stratta decided to appear on the show because he is a fan of the original Iron Chef
show from Japan. In his only battle appearance on the show, he defeated chef Marcus Samuelsson
. On March 2, 2011, it was announced that Stratta would be one of the contestants competing in the third season
of Bravo's reality competition show Top Chef Masters
. He was eliminated during the sixth episode, placing seventh in the competition.
Celebrity chef
A celebrity chef is a kitchen chef who has become famous and well known. Today celebrity chefs often become celebrities by presenting cookery advice and demonstrations via mass media, especially television. Historically, celebrity chefs have included Antoine Carême and Martino da Como.-External...
and restaurateur
Restaurateur
A restaurateur is a person who opens and runs restaurants professionally. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who owns a restaurant, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspects of the restaurant business.-Etymology:The word...
of mixed Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
and French heritage. Stratta played the role of Iron Chef Italian on the television show Iron Chef USA
Iron Chef USA
Iron Chef USA was the first American adaptation of the Japanese television series Iron Chef. Iron Chef USA appeared on the UPN television network in 2001. Only two episodes were aired : "Las Vegas Showdown" and "Holiday Battle"; neither received critical acclaim...
. He was the recipient of the James Beard Foundation
James Beard Foundation
The James Beard Foundation is a New York-based national professional non-profit organization named in honor of James Beard that serves to promote the culinary arts by honoring chefs, wine professionals, journalists, and cookbook authors at annual award ceremonies and providing scholarships and...
award for Best Chef Southwest in 1998 and was executive chef and owner of his famous namesake restaurant, Alex
Alex (restaurant)
Alex was a French restaurant located in Las Vegas, Nevada that held two Michelin stars. It is the namesake restaurant of celebrity chef Alessandro Stratta, Iron Chef USA and winner of the James Beard Foundation Award for "Best Chef Southwest" in 1998. The restaurant was well-known for Stratta's...
, in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
until its closure on January 15, 2011. He was diagnosed with colon cancer and became cancer survivor.
Early life
Stratta is a fourth-generation hotelierHotel manager
A hotel manager or hotelier is a person who holds a management occupation within a hotel, motel, or resort establishment. Management titles and duties vary by company. In some hotels the title hotel manager or hotelier may solely be referred to the General Manager of the hotel...
born to parents from locales well-known for their culinary traditions; his Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
father is from the Piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
region, and his French mother from Nice along the Côte d'Azur. As his father was president of Princess Hotels & Resorts
Princess (Hotels & Resorts)
Princess is a Spanish company which operates hotels and resorts in Barcelona, The Canary Islands, Costa del Sol, Costa Dorada, the Dominican Republic and Mexico.- Hotels :...
, he spent much of his early life living in luxurious resorts in countries all over the world, including Singapore, Malaysia, Italy, France, Mexico, and Pakistan; this upbringing helped him become fluent in French, Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
, Spanish, and English. Stratta attended the California Culinary Academy
California Culinary Academy
The California Culinary Academy is an affiliate of Le Cordon Bleu, and is located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1977, the academy has trained more than 15,000 people for restaurant careers through its 30-week baking and pastry chef program and 16-month culinary arts degree program...
in San Francisco, California and graduated with honors in 1983.
Culinary development
Stratta began his career as a patissier-in-training at the Stanford Court HotelStanford Court Hotel
The Stanford Court Renaissance San Francisco is a Marriott Renaissance Hotel at 905 California Street on Nob Hill in San Francisco, California. The hotel is located between Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square and is directly on the cable car line. It has 393 rooms on eight floors. All the rooms have...
. He then accepted an internship at the Hôtel de Paris in Monaco; soon after, Alain Ducasse
Alain Ducasse
Alain Ducasse is a Monégasque chef. He formerly held French nationality. He operates a number of restaurants including Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester which holds three stars in the Michelin Guide....
invited Stratta to join the team at his Louis XV restaurant there. After two years, Stratta returned to the United States, and at Ducasse's recommendation began working for Daniel Boulud
Daniel Boulud
Daniel Boulud is a French chef and restaurateur with restaurants in New York City, Palm Beach, Miami, Montreal, Beijing, and Singapore...
at Le Cirque
Le Cirque
Le Cirque is a French restaurant in Manhattan owned and operated by Sirio Maccioni. It first opened at the Mayfair Hotel in 1974. It closed and reopened as Le Cirque 2000 at the Palace Hotel in 1997. The latest installation of Le Cirque opened in 2006 in the Bloomberg Tower building at One Beacon...
in New York City. Both Ducasse and Boulud acted as mentors who heavily influenced Stratta's development as both a chef
Chef
A chef is a person who cooks professionally for other people. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who cooks for a living, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspects of food preparation.-Etymology:The word "chef" is borrowed ...
and restaurateur
Restaurateur
A restaurateur is a person who opens and runs restaurants professionally. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who owns a restaurant, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspects of the restaurant business.-Etymology:The word...
; Stratta credits Ducasse with showing him "how to make basic, simple food taste phenomenal", and Boulud for his creative influences as well as business skills.
As executive chef
In 1989, Stratta took on the executive chef position at Mary Elaine's restaurant at The Phoenician resortResort
A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations. Resorts are places, towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single company....
in Scottsdale
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
, Arizona. While there, he was featured in Food & Wine Magazine
Food & Wine Magazine
Food & Wine is a monthly magazine published by American Express Publishing. It was founded in 1978 by Ariane and Michael Batterberry. It features recipes, cooking tips, travel information, restaurant reviews, chefs, wine pairings and seasonal/holiday content and has been credited by The New York...
as one of "America's Ten Best New Chefs". Under his tenure, the restaurant earned a 4-star rating from the Mobil
Mobil
Mobil, previously known as the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company, was a major American oil company which merged with Exxon in 1999 to form ExxonMobil. Today Mobil continues as a major brand name within the combined company, as well as still being a gas station sometimes paired with their own store or On...
Travel Guide and also received critical acclaim as the best restaurant in the Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
area.
In 1998, Stratta became executive chef of the Renoir restaurant at The Mirage
The Mirage
The Mirage is a 3,044 room hotel and casino resort located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, United States.The Mirage is connected by a free tram to Treasure Island. The marquee in front of the Mirage is the largest free standing marquee in the world.-History:The Mirage was built by...
in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
after being invited by Steve Wynn
Steve Wynn (developer)
Stephen Alan "Steve" Wynn is an American business magnate who played a pivotal role in the 1990s resurgence and expansion of the Las Vegas Strip...
. The restaurant earned Mobil
Mobil
Mobil, previously known as the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company, was a major American oil company which merged with Exxon in 1999 to form ExxonMobil. Today Mobil continues as a major brand name within the combined company, as well as still being a gas station sometimes paired with their own store or On...
Travel Guide's highest rating of 5 stars just six months after opening.
In 2005, Stratta opened his namesake restaurant Alex
Alex (restaurant)
Alex was a French restaurant located in Las Vegas, Nevada that held two Michelin stars. It is the namesake restaurant of celebrity chef Alessandro Stratta, Iron Chef USA and winner of the James Beard Foundation Award for "Best Chef Southwest" in 1998. The restaurant was well-known for Stratta's...
– once again at the invitation of Steve Wynn
Steve Wynn (developer)
Stephen Alan "Steve" Wynn is an American business magnate who played a pivotal role in the 1990s resurgence and expansion of the Las Vegas Strip...
, but this time for the grand opening of Wynn's namesake casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
resort
Resort
A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations. Resorts are places, towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single company....
and country club
Country club
A country club is a private club, often with a closed membership, that typically offers a variety of recreational sports facilities and is located in city outskirts or rural areas. Activities may include, for example, any of golf, tennis, swimming or polo...
, Wynn Las Vegas
Wynn Las Vegas
Wynn Las Vegas is a resort and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The US $2.7 billion resort is named after casino developer Steve Wynn and is the flagship property of Wynn Resorts Limited. The resort covers . It is located on Las Vegas Boulevard and Sands Avenue Wynn Las...
. Stratta's restaurant was billed as a "triumph" and has been extremely well reviewed; it received ratings of 5 stars from the Mobil
Mobil
Mobil, previously known as the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company, was a major American oil company which merged with Exxon in 1999 to form ExxonMobil. Today Mobil continues as a major brand name within the combined company, as well as still being a gas station sometimes paired with their own store or On...
Travel Guide, 5 diamonds from the AAA
American Automobile Association
AAA , formerly known as the American Automobile Association, is a federation of 51 independently operated motor clubs throughout North America. AAA is a not-for-profit member service organization with more than 51 million members. AAA provides services to its members such as travel, automotive,...
Restaurant Ratings, and 2 stars from the Michelin Guide
Michelin Guide
The Michelin Guide is a series of annual guide books published by Michelin for over a dozen countries. The term normally refers to the Michelin Red Guide, the oldest and best-known European hotel and restaurant guide, which awards the Michelin stars...
.
Television
In 2001, Stratta was chosen as Iron Chef Italian on the now-defunct television show Iron Chef USAIron Chef USA
Iron Chef USA was the first American adaptation of the Japanese television series Iron Chef. Iron Chef USA appeared on the UPN television network in 2001. Only two episodes were aired : "Las Vegas Showdown" and "Holiday Battle"; neither received critical acclaim...
, where he was nicknamed the "Italian Scallion
Scallion
Scallions , are the edible plants of various Allium species, all of which are "onion-like", having hollow green leaves and lacking a fully developed root bulb.-Etymology:The words...
". Although he describes himself as "not that competitive", Stratta decided to appear on the show because he is a fan of the original Iron Chef
Iron Chef
is a Japanese television cooking show produced by Fuji Television. The series, which premiered on October 10, 1992, is a stylized cook-off featuring guest chefs challenging one of the show's resident "Iron Chefs" in a timed cooking battle built around a specific theme ingredient. The series ended...
show from Japan. In his only battle appearance on the show, he defeated chef Marcus Samuelsson
Marcus Samuelsson
Marcus Samuelsson is a Swedish chef and co-owner of Aquavit restaurant in New York City and C-House Restaurant, located in the Affinia Hotel in Chicago.-Early life and career:...
. On March 2, 2011, it was announced that Stratta would be one of the contestants competing in the third season
Top Chef: Masters (season 3)
The third season of the American reality competition show Top Chef Masters was announced on March 2, 2011. In addition to the announcement, it was announced that celebrity chef Curtis Stone would serve as the new host. Food critic and author Ruth Reichl also joined as a new series judge...
of Bravo's reality competition show Top Chef Masters
Top Chef Masters
Top Chef Masters is an American reality competition show currently broadcast on the cable television network Bravo. It is a spinoff of Bravo's hit show Top Chef. In the series, 24 world-renowned chefs compete against each other in weekly challenges...
. He was eliminated during the sixth episode, placing seventh in the competition.
Awards
- America's Ten Best New Chefs, Food & Wine MagazineFood & Wine MagazineFood & Wine is a monthly magazine published by American Express Publishing. It was founded in 1978 by Ariane and Michael Batterberry. It features recipes, cooking tips, travel information, restaurant reviews, chefs, wine pairings and seasonal/holiday content and has been credited by The New York...
, 1994 - Best Chef Southwest, James Beard FoundationJames Beard FoundationThe James Beard Foundation is a New York-based national professional non-profit organization named in honor of James Beard that serves to promote the culinary arts by honoring chefs, wine professionals, journalists, and cookbook authors at annual award ceremonies and providing scholarships and...
, 1998 - Gayot "Top 40 Restaurants in the United States", 2006–2008
- Two Stars Michelin GuideMichelin GuideThe Michelin Guide is a series of annual guide books published by Michelin for over a dozen countries. The term normally refers to the Michelin Red Guide, the oldest and best-known European hotel and restaurant guide, which awards the Michelin stars...
for AlexAlex (restaurant)Alex was a French restaurant located in Las Vegas, Nevada that held two Michelin stars. It is the namesake restaurant of celebrity chef Alessandro Stratta, Iron Chef USA and winner of the James Beard Foundation Award for "Best Chef Southwest" in 1998. The restaurant was well-known for Stratta's... - AAAAmerican Automobile AssociationAAA , formerly known as the American Automobile Association, is a federation of 51 independently operated motor clubs throughout North America. AAA is a not-for-profit member service organization with more than 51 million members. AAA provides services to its members such as travel, automotive,...
Five Diamond Award for AlexAlex (restaurant)Alex was a French restaurant located in Las Vegas, Nevada that held two Michelin stars. It is the namesake restaurant of celebrity chef Alessandro Stratta, Iron Chef USA and winner of the James Beard Foundation Award for "Best Chef Southwest" in 1998. The restaurant was well-known for Stratta's... - Five Stars Mobil Travel Guide for AlexAlex (restaurant)Alex was a French restaurant located in Las Vegas, Nevada that held two Michelin stars. It is the namesake restaurant of celebrity chef Alessandro Stratta, Iron Chef USA and winner of the James Beard Foundation Award for "Best Chef Southwest" in 1998. The restaurant was well-known for Stratta's...
- Gaming Hall of FameGaming Hall of FameThe Gaming Hall of Fame was established in 1989 to recognize individuals who have played a significant role in the gaming-entertainment industry....
2006 Inductee
Restaurants
- AlexAlex (restaurant)Alex was a French restaurant located in Las Vegas, Nevada that held two Michelin stars. It is the namesake restaurant of celebrity chef Alessandro Stratta, Iron Chef USA and winner of the James Beard Foundation Award for "Best Chef Southwest" in 1998. The restaurant was well-known for Stratta's...
at Wynn Las VegasWynn Las VegasWynn Las Vegas is a resort and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The US $2.7 billion resort is named after casino developer Steve Wynn and is the flagship property of Wynn Resorts Limited. The resort covers . It is located on Las Vegas Boulevard and Sands Avenue Wynn Las...
(Las VegasLas Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
) - Stratta at Wynn Las VegasWynn Las VegasWynn Las Vegas is a resort and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The US $2.7 billion resort is named after casino developer Steve Wynn and is the flagship property of Wynn Resorts Limited. The resort covers . It is located on Las Vegas Boulevard and Sands Avenue Wynn Las...
(Las VegasLas Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
)