RICHARD PELZ WE-KO-PA CASINO Promoted To Property Executive Chef

In recognition of his significant contributions since opening Ember We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort’s highly acclaimed restaurant in October 2020, Chef de Cuisine Richard Pelz has been promoted to Property Executive Chef as of March 2023.

In his new leadership role, he will oversee the culinary operations and stewarding departments for the award-winning resort’s six dining outlets (Ember, the Buffet, Ahnala, WKP Sports & Entertainment, the Market, and Daubs) as well as for the Banquet kitchen, in-room dining, poolside food service, and special events at Fort McDowell Adventures, another enterprise of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.

When Richard joined the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort in March 2020 as Ember’s Chef de Cuisine, he was charged with conceptualizing the restaurant’s vision; creating innovative menus; and hiring, training and mentoring its talented and customercentric staff. Under his guidance, Ember introduced modern cooking techniques, a variety of seasonal menus, and a series of popular wine-themed dinners all of which contributed to the fine-dining establishment’s receiving Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence” and OpenTable’s Diners’ Choice Awards for the past two years.

Richard’s passion for cooking was ignited at an early age by his parents, who dabbled in winemaking and had a discerning palate for fine cuisine. When he enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park’s hospitality management program, Richard quickly discovered his preference for the back of the house, and proceeded to further hone his culinary talents.

Since then, he has worked at restaurants around the world, many of which boasted Michelin stars, including La Grenouille and La Caravelle (New York City), Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse (Monte Carlo, Monaco), Restaurante Martin Berasategui (Spain), Alinea (Chicago) and California establishments including Citrine (Hollywood), Bottega and Redd (Napa Valley), Wally’s Desert Turtle (Rancho Mirage), and Cork Tree California Cuisine, Augusta Modern and Cuistot (Palm Desert). Richard also owned Goblin Market in New York City, which was nominated for best new restaurant in its first year of operations.

“Chef Richard’s vision, passion and culinary expertise have made Ember one of the top dining destinations in Arizona,” said Zac Gallo, Executive Director of Food & Beverage for the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort. “These attributes will position him well to take our property dining outlets to the highest level, ensuring our guests have a delicious dining experience no matter which option they choose.”

Owned and operated by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, the spectacular 166,341-square-foot We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort boasts state-of-the-art gaming, a variety of specialty fine and casual dining restaurants, and live entertainment. The attached AAA Four Diamond hotel offers 246 luxurious guestrooms and suites; 25,000 square feet of meeting space; and two resort-style outdoor pools. The casino resort’s proximity to the two highly acclaimed courses at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club and numerous outdoor activities at Fort McDowell Adventures make it the ideal destination for a vacation, business function or special event. For more info, visit WeKoPaCasinoResort.com. $

Dining Specials & Hot Promotions

All Month Long At Bucky’s & Yavapai Casinos

Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos invite you to come play and experience their new, delicious dining specials, Taco Tuesdays, juicy Prime Rib on Saturdays, flaky, tender fish specials on Fridays, and much more! They have upped their game on the already exciting, smoke free casino floor offering a wide selection of entertainment including over 200 new slot machines. Let’s Roll! Get ready to roll your luck as they are now featuring live action Craps and Roulette, as well as Blackjack. “Let’s Play Preskitt” at Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos!

May 5: Cinco de Mayo Celebration Gold Rush Club members playing slots may win up to $500 cash, Friday, May 5th, playing Salamander Slide Hot Seats from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. or win up to $200 in chips at Table Games Cinco Celebration Hot Seats from 4 p.m. to midnight at the Blackjack Pit. Also, enjoy delicious food specials and $3 Mexican Beer or $5 Margaritas at Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos.

May 14: Coming Up Roses Hot Seats Ladies ONLY! Win $500 cash or chips on Mother’s Day playing slots or Table Games from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos.

May 14: Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet Join them at Bucky’s Café and enjoy a delicious Mother’s Day Brunch including a New York Roast Carving Station, Omelet Station, and many more delectable items. Due to limited availability, reservations must be made in advance at Bucky’s Casino. Call them directly at 1-928-515-5361 for more information.

Prime Rib on Saturdays Prime Rib is back at Bucky’s Café, Saturdays from 4 p.m. to close, enjoy a tender juicy 10 oz. cut of Prime Rib, served with your choice of potato, seasonal vegetable and house salad, all for $21! Info: BuckysCasino com $

The Tohono O beginning of April on a new Desert Diamond Casino facility located near Loop 303 & Northern Parkway. The first phase of the new facility will feature a 184,000 square-foot casino floor with 900 Class III slot machines, poker room, retail sportsbook, and table games including blackjack, craps, roulette, and baccarat, as well as dining and other amenities. Construction during the initial stage will also include a parking structure and surface parking with 3,400 spaces. Construction of this $450 million project is expected to last approximately 19 months.

JCJ Architecture has led the design of the new facility, which will eventually expand to include a hotel, conference center, an outdoor pool and recreational amenities, and an amphitheater and event lawn space. Construction of the project is being headed by the Hunt / Penta Joint Venture as general contractor and will create over 5,500 construction jobs. Once completed, the full-scale casino and resort will employ approximately 1,300 people.

Ned Norris Jr., Chairman of the Tohono O’odham Nation said, “This is a special day for all Tohono O’odham. We are making good on our promise to provide for future generations of our tribal citizens. This groundbreaking serves as an important milestone to celebrate our progress as a Nation.

The property for the new facility is located on 80 acres of reservation land in unincorporated Maricopa County, west of Glendale. This land has already been taken into trust by the federal government as required by law. This process was similar to what was done in 2014 for the first West Valley facility.

Mike Bean, CEO of the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise said, “With this latest major investment in the West Valley, our new Desert Diamond Casino will bring more jobs, economic opportunity, and entertainment options to this vibrant region. We’re excited to continue the local partnerships we’ve developed over the past 10 years and build new relationships to benefit the West Valley community.”

Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment, with three locations in Southern Arizona (Tucson, Sahuarita, and Why) and one in the West Valley near Glendale, is owned and operated by the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, an enterprise of the Tohono O’odham Nation. Additional information can be found at DDCAZ.com, by calling 1-833-DDC-2WIN, or follow on Twitter (@DDCWestValley), Facebook (@DDCWestValley), and Instagram (@desertdiamondwestvalley). $

Casino Del Sol

May Promotions, News, And More!

Super 6 Draw May 1st through July 1st Casino Del Sol & Casino of the Sun are giving you a chance to win $40,000 CASH every week! Receive one pick every Tuesday to try your six lucky numbers. Earn up to five extra picks on Wednesday. And receive extra picks on Fridays for each 100 points earned. Experience the live ball drawings every Saturday to see if your lucky numbers pop up to win the Grand Prize of $40,000 in cash!

Blackjack Hot Seat Progressive Beginning May 1st from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every other hour Club Sol Members will have a chance to win $50 Freebet chips and $50 casino chips when seated at a live table game. In the event that a winner is not drawn at the designated times, the money will rollover to the next drawing time! Players must be present to win. Drawing Dates: May 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 & 23.

Bingo Cosmic Bingo Mexican Star Wars Day on May 5th! Combining both Star Wars Day (May The Fourth…) and Cinco de Mayo celebrations into one. Best dressed wins $300 for 1st place, $200 for 2nd place and $100 for 3rd place. Hosted by the hilarious Lucinda Holliday.

Buffalo Ascension This Aristocrat Gaming slot is available for play at Casino del Sol. Head over to the “videos” page on our website (AZGamingGuide.com), or click on this text to experience the game.

Moby’s Burger Of The Month Caramelized onion burger (fresh ground 1/3lb patty, Swiss cheese, griddled onions, lettuce, tomato & onion), $14

For more information, visit CasinoDelSol.com. $