Masa Ishizawa is the Executive Chef of Okada, Wynn Las Vegas' energetic, contemporary Japanese restaurant. He joined the resort in April 2005 as the Executive Sous Chef of Okada, working closely with former Executive Chef Takashi Yagihashi.

A veteran of the restaurant industry, Ishizawa's talents first emerged in his hometown of Kyoto, Japan. After attending college in San Francisco, the chef returned to Japan to work in some of the country's finest kitchens including the Kyoto Hotel, Sciyo Zendokoro "Okumura" and Bell in Shiga where he developed and honed his classic Japanese culinary techniques. Upon returning to the United States, Chef Ishizawa had the opportunity to work with Nobu Matsuhisa and Julian Serrano, and cites both as mentors.

"I am very excited to develop a signature culinary style for the restaurant. I believe in using clean, simple ingredients that are seasonal and authentic. At Okada, we will have a classic Japanese menu for summer, fall, winter and spring as we do in Kyoto where I grew up," Ishizawa says.

Prior to coming to Wynn Las Vegas, he was the Corporate and Executive Sous Chef at The Riviera Country Club & Tennis Club in Pacific Palisades, CA, a platinum, exclusive golf and tennis club with 30 hotel rooms. In this role he oversaw the planning and production of all VIP events and the Terrace Dining Room, the resort's main dining area.