John Schenk

Planet Hollywood

Strip House

Executive Chef

Culinary mastermind John Schenk brings a wealth of knowledge and a menu full of flavor as executive chef of Strip House. In 1994, Schenk received Food and Wine Magazine’s “Best New Chef” award. His expertise has been featured multiple times on the Today Show, and has also been featured on CBS Saturday Morning’s “Chef on a Shoe String,” FOX & Friends and was an original chef on the Food Network’s “Ready, Set, Cook.”  Chef Schenk’s decadent menu includes prime cuts of beef charred to perfection, signature side dishes and the famed Strip House 24-Layer Chocolate Cake.

As Executive Chef, Schenk joins Peter, Penny and Mathew Glazier, the owners of The Glazier Group, to supervise the busy kitchens of Strip House. In 1994, Schenk was chef at mad.61 at Barney’s New York when he first met Peter and Penny Glazier. The Glaziers quickly hired him for the re-creation and reopening and of their restaurant, Monkey Bar.  While serving as Executive Chef at Monkey Bar, Schenk received the Food and Wine Magazine’s “Best New Chef” award.  Schenk later became the executive chef for Strip House, Houston and transformed downtown into a vibrant dining scene.

Schenk’s next step was to move into the role of executive chef of Strip House. “Steakhouses are the upper echelon of fine dining in most cities,” says Schenk, “and with Strip House we bring a modern approach to that experience.” Strip House offers an indulgent menu full of decadent dishes such as the signature truffled cream spinach, crisp goose fat potatoes and a 24 layer chocolate cake. “I love doing a twist on steakhouse classics, and introducing new menu items to the restaurant.  It’s exciting to watch Strip House’s popularity grow with each restaurant opening,” Schenk says.

Born in Buffalo, New York, Schenk started his career in his family’s kitchen, where he knew he wanted to be a chef. After working with Patty Unterman at San Francisco’s Hayes Street Grill in the 1980’s, Schenk moved to New York City by way of Kenya and France.  In 1987, Schenk was hired by Alfred Portale of Gotham Bar and Grill as executive sous chef, a position he held for four years. Schenk credits his time at Gotham as the inspirational place from which his personal culinary view was nurtured, challenged and redefined. Schenk also helmed the kitchens at West Broadway where he received three stars from the New York Times and was chef/owner at Clementine in Greenwich Village.

Schenk has cooked numerous times at The James Beard House, as well as taught classes for “De Gustibus” at Macy’s, Peter Kump’s Cooking School, All Clad and Bloomingdales. Schenk continues to look for inspirational ingredients and flavors to keep Strip House cutting edge and classically delicious.

About Strip House

Recognized as the home of the “best steak” by Citysearch, the only steak house awarded four stars in Forbes Magazine’s All-Star Eateries 2008 and again in All-Star Eateries 2009, a “celebrity hot spot” by People.com and one of the top ten new restaurants in Las Vegas by Zagat’s Best of Las Vegas 2008, Strip House redefines the traditional steak house.  Renowned restaurateurs Peter, Penny and Mathew Glazier, along with Executive Chef John Schenk have created an atmosphere unlike any other in Las Vegas.  Located in Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, the innovative menu is designed to excite all the senses with prime cuts of beef charred to perfection, signature side dishes, an extensive wine list and the famed 24-layer chocolate cake.

Strip House is open 5 – 11 p.m. Sunday – Thursday and 5 – 11:30 p.m.    Friday – Saturday.  For more information, or to make a reservation, please call 702.737.5200.