Julian Serrano
Julian Serrano | |
|---|---|
| Born | Madrid, Spain |
| Education | Escuela Gastronomie P.P.O., Marbella, Spain |
| Culinary career | |
| Cooking style | Mediterranean, French, Spanish, Molecular gastronomy |
Previous restaurant
| |
Julian Serrano is a Spanish chef who lives and works in the United States.[1] He first gained attention in San Francisco and was later active in Las Vegas until his 2025 retirement.[2]
Biography
A native of Madrid, Serrano is a graduate of the Escuela Gastronomie P.P.O. hotel management school in Marbella, Spain.[3] He has spent time at Lucas-Carlton in Paris, Hotel de France in Auch, France, Chez Max in Zurich and L’Aubergine in Munich. He worked in several restaurants, Caribbean cruise liners, Nashville and San Francisco.[1]
Following brief positions in Miami and Nashville, Serrano moved to San Francisco, where in 1983 he helped open Masa's under the guidance of Masataka Kobayashi.[1]
In 1998, Serrano brought his Mediterranean-French cooking to Bellagio in Las Vegas as Executive Chef of Picasso.[4] Serrano also has a restaurant at Aria named after him serving tapas and other Spanish food, as well as molecular gastronomy.[5]
In April 2015, he opened LAGO at the Bellagio.[6]
In May 2024, Serrano announced his upcoming retirement and that Picasso will be closing in August 2024.[7]
Restaurants
- Picasso, Las Vegas, Nevada. 1998 - closed 2024.[8][9]
- Julian Serrano Tapas, Las Vegas, Nevada. 2010 - closed 2025.[10]
- LAGO, Las Vegas, Nevada. 2015 - No longer affiliated with Serrano as of 2024.[11][2]
- LAGO, Shanghai, China. 2018 - No longer affiliated with Serrano as of 2024.[12][2]
Awards
- Two-time winner of the James Beard Foundation Award (Best Chef Pacific 1998 & Best Chef Southwest 2002).
- Julian Serrano Tapas was noted as one of Esquire Magazine's "20 Best New Restaurants in 2010".[13]
- Julian Serrano Tapas received the Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine in 2011.
- Picasso, the Michelin two-star restaurant (2008-2009)[14][15]
References
- ^ abc"Julian Serrano". Great Chefs. November 23, 2015.
- ^ abcSlattery, Ryan (January 4, 2025). "A two-star Michelin chef and James Beard winner is leaving Las Vegas". Time Out Las Vegas. Archived from the original on July 8, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
- ^"Julian Serrano". Kevin Eats. December 19, 2009. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
- ^"Picasso - Las Vegas". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on December 20, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
- ^"Julian Serrano - Las Vegas". Early Vegas. Archived from the original on December 15, 2010.
- ^"Bellagio Introduces Lago by Renowned Chef Julian Serrano to Resort's Award-Winning Culinary Program" (Press release). Archived from the original on October 9, 2022.
- ^"Legendary Las Vegas Strip Restaurant is Closing as Chef Julian Serrano Steps Down". May 16, 2024. Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^Wright, Johnathan L. (July 8, 2025). "Replacement revealed for legendary Picasso restaurant on Las Vegas Strip". Neon. Archived from the original on July 25, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
- ^Karel, Janna (May 16, 2024). "Legendary Las Vegas Strip Restaurant Is Closing as Chef Julian Serrano Steps Down". Eater Vegas. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^Wright, Johnathan L. (June 5, 2025). "Mysteriously named restaurant to replace famed tapas spot on the Las Vegas Strip". Neon. Archived from the original on June 24, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
- ^"Las Vegas: Bellagio Announces Lago by Julian Serrano Restaurant, Set to Open in March". www.travelworldnews.com. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^"Contemporary Luxury, Innovative Italian and unique dining experience at LAGO by Julian Serrano of Bellagio Shanghai - PR Newswire APAC". en.prnasia.com. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^Leach, Robin (October 12, 2010). "Counter Intelligence: Esquire names Julian Serrano one of the best". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on March 3, 2011. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
- ^Michelin Guide Las Vegas 2008. Michelin Travel Publications. 2008. ISBN 978-2-06-712989-4.
- ^Michelin Guide Las Vegas 2009. Michelin Travel Publications. 2009. ISBN 978-2-06-713709-7.
External links
