CHEF LUCIANO PELLEGRINI
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JAMES BEARD AWARD-WINNING CHEF, LUCIANO PELLEGRINI, James Beard Award–winning Chef Luciano Pellegrini is internationally recognized for his authentic Italian culinary heritage, refined hospitality, and more than 45 years of experience spanning Italy, California, and Las Vegas.
Born in Bergamo, Italy, Chef Pellegrini developed his passion for cooking in his mother’s kitchen inside the family’s centuries-old home, originally built in the 1400s. Surrounded by traditional Italian cuisine, fresh ingredients, and generations of culinary culture, he learned early that food was not simply about cooking, but about bringing people together through hospitality, family, and shared experience — a philosophy that continues to shape his approach today. At the age of thirteen, Pellegrini enrolled at the prestigious San Pellegrino hotel school while simultaneously gaining hands-on experience in restaurants throughout Italy. He later refined his craft in Michelin-starred kitchens and trained alongside some of Italy’s most respected chefs, including Gianfranco Vissani, Fulvio Pierangelini, Paola DiMauro, Nadia Santini, and Bruno Libralon, widely known as the “King of Fish.” |
Looking to deepen his culinary expertise, Pellegrini returned to Italy during various stages of his career to study regional cooking techniques, including traditional wood-fire cooking on the “fogolar,” an open-hearth grilling method rooted in Northern Italian culinary tradition. He also trained in the art of house-made sausage production, an important component of authentic Italian cuisine.
After relocating to the United States, Pellegrini quickly established himself as one of the leading Italian chefs in California. By 1987, he became Executive Chef at Primi, and in 1991 opened Posto restaurant in the San Fernando Valley, where his rustic Italian cuisine earned critical acclaim from both the Los Angeles Daily News and the Los Angeles Times. Renowned restaurant critic S. Irene Virbila praised Pellegrini’s cuisine for delivering “the kind of rustic main courses you might find in the Italian countryside.”
Pellegrini’s growing reputation led the James Beard Foundation to recognize him among the Top 10 Chefs in Los Angeles for six consecutive years. In 1999, he relocated to Las Vegas to become Executive Chef and Partner of Valentino Las Vegas inside The Venetian Resort, helping establish Valentino as one of the Southwest’s most celebrated Italian fine dining destinations. During his tenure, Valentino Las Vegas received numerous honors including the DiRoNA Award of Excellence, multiple Las Vegas Life Epicurean Awards for Best Italian Restaurant, and Wine Spectator’s prestigious Grand Award.
In 2004, Chef Pellegrini received one of the culinary industry’s highest honors when the James Beard Foundation named him Best Chef in the Southwest.
Throughout his career, Chef Pellegrini has participated in major culinary events throughout Italy and the United States, including collaborations with the James Beard Foundation and celebrated Italian culinary organizations. Following Valentino Las Vegas, he expanded into artisanal gelato production, restaurant consulting, hospitality development, and culinary concept creation for hospitality groups and restaurants nationwide.
Today, Chef Pellegrini leads Heavenly Catered Events, a luxury full-service catering and event company serving Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, Southern Highlands, and surrounding communities. Through customized menus, chef-driven experiences, and personalized hospitality, Heavenly Catered Events provides catering for weddings, corporate events, private dinners, cocktail receptions, galas, holiday parties, and upscale social gatherings.
Guests can also experience Chef Pellegrini’s cuisine at Heavenly Pies & Trattoria in Southern Highlands, Las Vegas, where his passion for authentic Italian flavors, hospitality, and culinary craftsmanship continues to be reflected in every dish.
Chef Luciano Pellegrini remains dedicated to creating memorable dining experiences rooted in tradition, elevated by experience, and thoughtfully tailored to each guest and occasion.
After relocating to the United States, Pellegrini quickly established himself as one of the leading Italian chefs in California. By 1987, he became Executive Chef at Primi, and in 1991 opened Posto restaurant in the San Fernando Valley, where his rustic Italian cuisine earned critical acclaim from both the Los Angeles Daily News and the Los Angeles Times. Renowned restaurant critic S. Irene Virbila praised Pellegrini’s cuisine for delivering “the kind of rustic main courses you might find in the Italian countryside.”
Pellegrini’s growing reputation led the James Beard Foundation to recognize him among the Top 10 Chefs in Los Angeles for six consecutive years. In 1999, he relocated to Las Vegas to become Executive Chef and Partner of Valentino Las Vegas inside The Venetian Resort, helping establish Valentino as one of the Southwest’s most celebrated Italian fine dining destinations. During his tenure, Valentino Las Vegas received numerous honors including the DiRoNA Award of Excellence, multiple Las Vegas Life Epicurean Awards for Best Italian Restaurant, and Wine Spectator’s prestigious Grand Award.
In 2004, Chef Pellegrini received one of the culinary industry’s highest honors when the James Beard Foundation named him Best Chef in the Southwest.
Throughout his career, Chef Pellegrini has participated in major culinary events throughout Italy and the United States, including collaborations with the James Beard Foundation and celebrated Italian culinary organizations. Following Valentino Las Vegas, he expanded into artisanal gelato production, restaurant consulting, hospitality development, and culinary concept creation for hospitality groups and restaurants nationwide.
Today, Chef Pellegrini leads Heavenly Catered Events, a luxury full-service catering and event company serving Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, Southern Highlands, and surrounding communities. Through customized menus, chef-driven experiences, and personalized hospitality, Heavenly Catered Events provides catering for weddings, corporate events, private dinners, cocktail receptions, galas, holiday parties, and upscale social gatherings.
Guests can also experience Chef Pellegrini’s cuisine at Heavenly Pies & Trattoria in Southern Highlands, Las Vegas, where his passion for authentic Italian flavors, hospitality, and culinary craftsmanship continues to be reflected in every dish.
Chef Luciano Pellegrini remains dedicated to creating memorable dining experiences rooted in tradition, elevated by experience, and thoughtfully tailored to each guest and occasion.
BONNIE PASCUA - COORDINATOR
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With more than 35 years of experience in hospitality, events, and restaurant operations, Bonnie Pascua brings a deeply personal and detail-oriented approach to client relations, event coordination, and luxury guest experiences.
With more than 35 years of experience in hospitality, events, and restaurant operations, Bonnie Pascua brings a deeply personal and detail-oriented approach to client relations, event coordination, and luxury guest experiences. Bonnie began her career early, quickly advancing from server to bartender to manager before going on to own and operate multiple hospitality and event businesses throughout Southern California, including two restaurants: Hotties Pizza in Newport Beach and the fine dining restaurant Harlow’s in San Juan Capistrano. She also owned and operated a successful full-service event design company with offices in Orange County and Los Angeles for more than 15 years, specializing in event planning, floral design, custom décor, lighting, entertainment, catering, and large-scale corporate and social events. Known for combining creativity with operational precision, Bonnie became an award-winning event designer whose work was featured in multiple publications. Her background in both restaurants and event production gives her a unique understanding of how to create experiences that feel |
seamless, elevated, and genuinely personal for clients and guests alike. She has also worked as a consultant, bringing her experience in hospitality operations, guest experience, branding, and event execution to a variety of culinary and hospitality concepts.
Today, Bonnie oversees client relations, marketing, event coordination, and guest experience for Heavenly Catered Events, working alongside James Beard Award-winning Chef Luciano Pellegrini to help create refined culinary and hospitality experiences throughout Las Vegas and surrounding communities.
Today, Bonnie oversees client relations, marketing, event coordination, and guest experience for Heavenly Catered Events, working alongside James Beard Award-winning Chef Luciano Pellegrini to help create refined culinary and hospitality experiences throughout Las Vegas and surrounding communities.