VIP Lounge

VIP ticket holders enjoy exclusive privileges, starting with early entry at 12 p.m. and additional complimentary special culinary creations featuring Lev Group’s Chef Gina Marinelli of La Strega and Harlo Steakhouse & Bar, and Chef Michael Vakneen and Erica Bell of Døuble Zerø Pie & Pub.

Additional VIP perks include complimentary beer from Peroni, CraftHaus Brewery, Las Vegas Brewing Company, and HUDL Brewing Company; with a commemorative beer tasting glass, other alcoholic beverages, access to the VIP lounge with seating and private air-conditioned restrooms, and live entertainment.

Must be 21+

The Chefs

Chef Gina Marinelli

With a passion for cooking that shines in each dish, Chef Gina Marinelli is the Executive Chef Partner at La Strega, Las Vegas’ bewitching trattoria and locals’ hotspot featuring farm-to-table and coastal Italian cuisine in the heart of the renowned Summerlin community. With a desire to captivate her guests and take them on a personal adventure across Italy, Chef Gina’s regionally inspired menu highlights her unique twists on Italian favorites infused with contemporary, fresh yet simple flavors.

Upon graduating from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Orlando in 2006, Chef Gina moved to Las Vegas where she worked alongside iconic chefs including Michael Mina at Nobhill Tavern, Sven Mede at American Fish at Aria, Shawn McClain at Sage at Aria, and James Beard award-winning chef Scott Conant at D.O.C.G Enoteca at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

After years in Las Vegas kitchens, Chef Gina traveled to Italy, visiting the Amalfi Coast, Sicily and Bologna to further study and immerse herself in authentic Italian cuisine. During her travels, she worked in local kitchens and cooked alongside various local and regional chefs, even participating in a fisherman tour, dishing up fresh seafood caught by locals. Her travels left her inspired, driven and full of ideas for her next project, La Strega. Opened in early 2019, La Strega brings Chef Gina’s years of expertise, travels and tastes for beautiful food to the forefront of this modern Italian restaurant, which continues to maintain one of the busiest kitchens in the greater Las Vegas area.

When not in the kitchen, Chef Gina enjoys traveling with her fiancé, watching movies and football, listening to music, and spending time with her three dogs.

Chef Michael Vakneen

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Chef Michael Vakneen’s path to the culinary world was unique. Starting with bagels, moving through real estate, and finally finding his passion in pizza-making, Vakneen’s journey led him to Double ØØ Pie & Pub. His love for dough began in high school and evolved into an obsession with pizza, his favorite comfort food.

A UNLV grad in Hotel Management, Vakneen initially worked in real estate but remained drawn to hospitality. After working at the W Hotel development office, he leaped into the restaurant industry, founding Pop Up Pizza at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Downtown Las Vegas. His culinary skills and entrepreneurial spirit led to collaborations with the Plaza and consulting in the pizza industry, earning top honors at the International Pizza Expo in 2022 and 2023.

In 2023, he opened Double ØØ Pie & Pub in Las Vegas and became Pizzaiolo Partner of Truly Pizza in Dana Point, Calif., both ranked on the 50 Top Pizza USA 2024 list. Vakneen also launched The Hamsa Brand, offering squeezable harissa hot sauce. His creations have earned acclaim from publications and culinary enthusiasts, marking his influence from Las Vegas to California.

Erica Bell

Erica Bell has been a vibrant part of the Las Vegas community for the last 11 years. Her love for pizza was ignited during her childhood in San Francisco, California. With 9 years of experience in the event culinary world, Erica has spent the last year hands-on making pizza alongside World Pizza Champion Michael Vakneen at Double Zero Pie & Pub in Chinatown. Double zero was named on the exclusive 50Top Pizza guide for North America in 2024 making it on the most elite pizza guide in the world.

Leading the charge as General Manager at Double Zero, Erica and her team thrive on creating the best neo-Neapolitan pizza with the highest quality products and a thoughtful menu to keep you coming back to try more of what Chef Vakneen is crafting up! Erica is a rising star as a woman in pizza, inspiring others with her passion and dedication to the craft.

Beverages

The Las Vegas Pizza Festival returns November 16th.

Tickets on sale now.