RENO, Nev. – Charlie Palmer Steak Reno at Grand Sierra Resort and Casino (GSR) is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam Ornellas as its new executive chef. With over 25 years of culinary experience and more than three decades in the food and beverage industry, Chef Ornellas brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to Reno’s premier celebrity chef-owned restaurant.
Chef Ornellas has honed his skills in some of the nation’s top kitchens, working with esteemed hospitality groups such as Starwood Hotels and Sonesta Hotels. His culinary journey has taken him to iconic cities across the country—New York, New Orleans, Texas, St. Louis, Chicago, and San Francisco—where he developed a deep appreciation for diverse flavors and innovative cuisine.
In addition to his extensive restaurant experience, Chef Ornellas has owned two restaurants and served as a culinary arts instructor, inspiring the next generation of chefs. Chef Ornellas draws inspiration from his Portuguese heritage, a tradition he further refined under the mentorship of Chef Almir Da Fonseca. This apprenticeship expanded his palate and deepened his mastery of culinary techniques, allowing him to create dishes that balance flavors, showcase exceptional presentation, and offer unique, culturally-infused dining experiences.
Despite his familiarity with Michelin-starred kitchens, Chef Ornellas is committed to crafting approachable dishes that highlight local and regional ingredients—a philosophy that aligns perfectly with Charlie Palmer Steak’s culinary vision. Chef Ornellas’s work has been recognized in various publications and on television, and he has had the honor of cooking for the prestigious James Beard Foundation Dinner. Guests have the opportunity to meet Chef Ornellas during The Beefsteak event on Saturday, Oct.
26, where he will join Chef Charlie Palmer and the rest of the Charlie Palmer Steak team. For more information about Charlie Palmer Steak or to make a reservation visit grandsierraresort.com .
# # # ABOUT GRAND SIERRA RESORT Located in the heart of the beautiful Reno-Tahoe region, Grand Sierra Resort (GSR) is an all-encompassing casino-resort with nearly 2,000 newly renovated guest rooms and suites, 200,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, 1,400 slot machines, 45 table games, a poker room featuring seven tables and the Infinity High Limit Room. The destination’s premier gaming property offers visitors a wide variety of amenities including the 2,500+ capacity, critically-acclaimed Grand Theatre, home to Reno-Tahoe’s finest entertainment experience, exhilarating nightlife at the spectacular LEX Nightclub, more than a dozen delectable restaurant and dining choices including Charlie Palmer Steak and Lounge, a spa, branded retail shopping, a remarkable year-round outdoor pool and fire pit experience, Reno’s largest outdoor ice skating rink, a two-screen cinema, a 50-lane bowling center, adrenaline-pumping rides and an aqua golf driving range. GSR players can also enjoy the perks of an Infinity Rewards membership, a joint loyalty program between GSR and its sister resort SAHARA Las Vegas, that gives players the opportunity to earn and redeem rewards across both destinations.
GSR is a minority-owned business certified by the Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council. For more information, please visit grandsierraresort.com or to make reservations call 1-800-648-5080.
For the latest and greatest news on GSR, find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Related.
