The Cordish Companies is putting Jet Tila's name on the door. Starting May 2026, the Emmy-nominated chef will overhaul the Luk Fu concept at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, with rollouts to follow in Bossier City, Louisiana, and Hanover, Maryland later in the year.
Tila—known for Iron Chef America and a James Beard nod—brings his modern Asian playbook to the gaming floor. His signature dishes will anchor the new menu, replacing the current Luk Fu lineup with what Cordish is betting will be a draw for serious diners, not just casino traffic.
"Partnering with a talent like Chef Tila allows us to set a new standard for Asian culinary excellence within our resorts," said Rob Norton, President of the Cordish Gaming Group. Norton isn't wrong to frame it that way. Regional casinos are locked in an amenities war, and culinary credibility is the new poker table. Gordon Ramsay proved the model at Caesars. Now Cordish wants its own marquee name.
The menu will rotate seasonally, though specifics are still under wraps. What's clear: Cordish is treating this as a brand play, not a one-off celebrity endorsement. Three states, staggered openings, and a chef with enough TV credibility to move the needle with both gaming regulars and food tourists.
Live! operates properties in markets where dining can differentiate or disappear into the noise. Philadelphia's casino scene is crowded. Bossier City competes with tribal gaming. Hanover sits in the shadow of Baltimore's established dining corridor. Tila's involvement is a signal that Cordish sees food as more than filler between slot pulls—it's a reason to visit.
The first test comes in Philadelphia next spring. If the debut generates the kind of buzz Cordish expects, the Luk Fu model could expand beyond the three announced locations. For now, the bet is simple: put a name chef on the menu, and guests will show up for more than the tables.
