Celebrity Life

'Lechon Diva' opens shop in Las Vegas

By Angelo Garcia

Dedet de la Fuente or more popularly known as “Lechon Diva” is opening a “kitchen” in Las Vegas, United States (US).

Dedet's Pepita's Kitchen is opening a stall at the Famous Foods Street Eats at Resorts World Las Vegas. According to a Wall Street Journal report, the property is the first “megacasino” to open in Las Vegas in more than a decade.

The resort complex, along with all its dining outlets, opens on June 24 (US time) or June 25 (Philippine time).

On June 10, Dedet shared the wonderful news. She said, “The Lechon Diva is excited to make Resorts World Las Vegas our second home. Together let's make Philippine lechon a global sensation.”

Pepita's Kitchen sells lechon and other Filipino food. It is known for its stuffed lechon and private degustation dinners.

Pepita's Kitchen's stuffed lechon / Source: Instagram @lechon_diva

One of its most famous lechons is the truffle rice stuffed lechon de leche, a tender and glistening pugon-roasted pig stuffed with a good helping of fragrant truffle rice. Dedet also fills her lechon with other stuffing like sisig rice, chorizo and crab fat rice, and even truffle rice with foie gras.

Dedet has been championing Filipino food and has brought her famous lechon all over the world including New York, London, Singapore, and Hong Kong. The truffle rice stuffed lechon de leche even won as “Tastiest Dish in Asia” in London.

The late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain was also able to sample the stuffed lechon during his last visit in the Philippines in 2017. And when Martha Stewart visited the country in 2019, Dedet also served her famous lechon to the American TV personality.

Now, Pepita's Kitchen is expanding its reach and more people are going to get a taste of its famous stuffed lechon.

On Wednesday, June 23, Dedet shared her excitement on Instagram. She said, “Proud and happy Philippine lechon will be represented in the Famous Eats Street Food Hall in the newest the shiniest new property in Las Vegas-Resorts World opening on June 24th. Together let's make Philippine lechon and Philippine cuisine a global sensation.”

Resorts World Las Vegas is the newest megacasino in the city / Source: Instagram @resortsworldlv

According to Resorts World Las Vegas's website, the Famous Foods Street Eats food hall is “Inspired by the energetic street markets of Southeast Asia.”

“Famous Foods Street Eats features a curated collection of pan-Asian eateries mixed with crave-able concepts by award-wining chefs from around the country. This new-age dining destination serves up food edutainment with a side of mouthwatering bites and sensational sips sure to tantalize taste buds,” the website explains.

Some of the other food businesses featured in the food hall include Singapore's Geylang Claypot Rice and Taiwan's Tiger Sugar, among others.

For more food stories, head to GMA's Lifestyle page.