by Natasha Wolff | October 7, 2025 10:11 am
When it comes to shaping the modern culinary landscape, few names carry the influence and respect of Elizabeth Blau[1] — founder and CEO of Blau + Associates, a global restaurant planning and development firm that has reimagined dining experiences across continents. With her visionary approach, Blau has built a career that merges creativity, strategy, and a profound understanding of what makes hospitality truly human.
Often credited with transforming Las Vegas from a buffet-driven town into a world-class culinary destination, Blau’s[2] legacy is etched across the city’s skyline. Her work in collaboration with iconic chefs and developers helped usher in an era where gastronomy became central to the Vegas experience — establishing it as one of the premier dining capitals of the world.
A graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, where she later earned her Master’s in Hotel Management, Blau combines academic rigor with entrepreneurial instinct. Her accolades reflect both: recipient of the Cornell Hospitality Innovator Award[3] and nominee for the James Beard Award for Best Restaurateur. These honors speak not only to her professional excellence but to her ability to anticipate and lead industry evolution long before trends emerge.
Through Blau + Associates, Elizabeth has advised global hospitality brands, resorts, and restaurant groups, always with an emphasis on authenticity, design, and guest experience. Her influence extends beyond business — she serves on the boards of Forbes Travel Guide, Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, and Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration, where she mentors the next generation of leaders.
For Elizabeth Blau, hospitality is not simply an industry — it is an act of creation. With every project, she continues to set new standards for excellence, proving that great dining begins with great vision.
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