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Roster of Chefs Announced at Encore

Five signature restaurants to open at the new resort in the Wynn collection

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- December 2008 marks the debut of Encore, the new signature resort in the Wynn collection. Adjacent to Wynn Las Vegas, Encore upholds its sister hotel's mantra: the chefs have moved to Las Vegas and will be cooking in their new kitchens each night. All respected and nationally acclaimed talents in their own right, each Encore chef joins Wynn's already formidable collection of award-winning restaurants.

Joining the team are Theo Schoenegger, of four-star Patina in Los Angeles; Jet Tila, a nationally recognized chef and expert in Asian cuisine; Marc Poidevin, formerly executive chef of Le Cirque at the Bellagio and most recently Wynn's executive chef of catering and special events; Mark LoRusso, previously the executive chef of Tableau at the Tower Suites at Wynn Las Vegas; and Kim Canteenwalla, who worked with Mr. Wynn at Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi and has consulted on such projects at Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach and One&Only Palmilla.

Making the move from Los Angeles, Theo Schoenegger will open his first Las Vegas restaurant, Theo's. Schoenegger is eager to offer guests his signature approach to Italian cuisine by deconstructing traditional dishes and recreating them with a refined, modern approach that emphasizes seasonality. The fine-dining establishment features a chef's table that seats up to 10 people and serves a market-driven menu. Schoenegger's relationships with California farmers allow him to bring the area's fresh, seasonal and greenmarket ingredients to his restaurant at Encore. A cozy outdoor patio allows guests to dine al fresco, creating the feel of an intimate dinner party in a Tuscan garden.

Jet Tila is well known for his widespread knowledge of Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean and Indian cuisines. At Encore, he opens Wazuzu, a modern Asian bistro, named after a Chinese word that means "Nine Dragons." The name references a well-known painting of nine young dragons from the end of the 16th century. In homage to the original work, a large crystal dragon comprised of 90,000 Swarovski crystals and 2,400 flickering lights graces Wazuzu's wall. Open for lunch and dinner, the casual yet vibrant restaurant features the various cuisines of Southeast Asia, also offering sushi, sashimi and creative rolls.

Marc Poidevin, formerly Wynn's executive chef of catering and special events, is at the helm of Switch, a French-inspired steakhouse and seafood restaurant with an emphasis on the finest seasonal ingredients. Switch undergoes a physical transformation each night as seats, chandeliers and walls move to create a dramatic and theatrical dining experience.

Mark LoRusso received critical acclaim for Tableau, his refined modern American restaurant located by the Tower Suites at Wynn Las Vegas. As Tableau is transformed into Larry Forgione's An American Place, LoRusso introduces Botero Steak at Encore. Named after Colombian artist Fernando Botero, LoRusso's signature restaurant features a modern steakhouse menu in a sexy and sophisticated setting beside the resort's nightclub, XS, and overlooks Encore's sparking pool.

As executive chef of Society Cafe Encore, Kim Canteenwalla offers guests a classic American menu of old school favorites that have been reinterpreted with a modern sensibility. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night weekends, Society Cafe Encore features satisfying food in a casual, fun and dynamic atmosphere.

"I am thrilled to welcome these fine chefs to Encore," says Steve Wynn. "They join Wynn's impressive family of culinary talents to offer our guests an unparalleled dining experience in Las Vegas. Theo, Jet, Mark, Marc and Kim each bring an exciting and fresh approach to their restaurants, and I look forward to our guests discovering their signature styles."

In addition to Encore's five destination restaurants, the property features 2,034 spacious suites, 11 retail outlets, seven bars and lounges, a chic nightclub and a luxurious spa and salon. Designed to feel like a boutique hotel, Encore demonstrates Wynn's tradition of creating extraordinary properties that feature thoughtful details, supreme comfort, timeless design and impeccable service.

Wynn Resorts, Limited is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol WYNN and is part of the NASDAQ-100 Index. Wynn Resorts owns and operates Wynn Las Vegas (www.wynnlasvegas.com) and Wynn Macau (www.wynnmacau.com). Wynn Las Vegas, a luxury hotel and destination casino resort located on the Las Vegas Strip features 2,716 luxurious guest rooms and suites; an approximately 111,000 square foot casino; 22 food and beverage outlets; an on-site 18-hole golf course; approximately 223,000 square feet of meeting space; an on-site Ferrari and Maserati dealership; and approximately 74,000 square feet of retail space. Encore (www.encorelasvegas.com), the new signature resort in the Wynn collection, is scheduled to open in December 2008.

Wynn Macau is a destination casino resort in the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and currently features 600 deluxe hotel rooms and suites; approximately 205,000 square foot casino; casual and fine dining in five restaurants; approximately 46,000 square feet of retail space; a health club, pool and spa, along with lounges and meeting facilities.

Encore is located at 3131 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Phone number: 702.770.7000

SOURCE Wynn Las Vegas