Celebrity Chef Mei Lin to Takeover Choctaw Casino Restaurant

The Oklahoma chef will headline a two-day Texas barbecue event in May.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:54pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a sizzling grill grate covered in charred meat and dripping with caramelized barbecue sauce, capturing the luxurious, high-fashion aesthetic of live-fire cooking.The smoky, textural glamour of Oklahoma-style barbecue takes center stage at a high-profile culinary event in Texas.Austin Today

Oklahoma's Choctaw Casinos are continuing their tradition of bringing in celebrity chefs for restaurant takeovers, with Chef Mei Lin set to headline the Choctaw Casino restaurant in May. This announcement comes as Chef Kevin Lee, another Oklahoma-based chef, is scheduled to headline a two-day barbecue event in Austin, Texas, called SMOKE: A Celebration of Fire and Flavor.

Why it matters

Celebrity chef takeovers at casinos are a growing trend, as properties look to attract new customers and generate buzz through high-profile culinary events. Choctaw Casinos have had success with this strategy in the past, and the upcoming Mei Lin takeover is expected to draw significant interest from food enthusiasts in the region.

The details

Chef Mei Lin, who rose to fame as the winner of Season 12 of Top Chef, will be taking over the Choctaw Casino restaurant in Durant, Oklahoma for a limited engagement in May. During her residency, she will be showcasing her unique blend of modern American and Asian-inspired cuisine. Meanwhile, fellow Oklahoma chef Kevin Lee will be headlining the SMOKE event in Austin, Texas, which will feature chef-driven dinners and other barbecue-focused programming over a two-day period.

  • Chef Mei Lin's Choctaw Casino takeover is scheduled for May 2026.
  • The SMOKE: A Celebration of Fire and Flavor event in Austin, Texas featuring Chef Kevin Lee will take place in May 2026.

The players

Mei Lin

A celebrity chef who rose to fame as the winner of Season 12 of Top Chef.

Kevin Lee

An Oklahoma-based chef who will be headlining the SMOKE: A Celebration of Fire and Flavor event in Austin, Texas.

Choctaw Casinos

A casino and resort operator in Oklahoma that is continuing its tradition of hosting celebrity chef takeovers at its properties.

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to welcome Chef Mei Lin to Choctaw Casino in May. Her innovative cuisine is sure to delight our guests and draw in new visitors to experience the best of Oklahoma dining.”

— Choctaw Casino Representative

“The SMOKE event in Austin is going to be an incredible celebration of barbecue and live-fire cooking. I'm honored to be headlining the chef-driven dinners and can't wait to share my passion for Oklahoma-style 'cue with the Texas crowd.”

— Kevin Lee, Oklahoma Chef

What’s next

Tickets for the SMOKE event in Austin featuring Chef Kevin Lee will go on sale to the public on April 15, 2026.

The takeaway

Celebrity chef takeovers at casinos and high-profile culinary events continue to be a popular strategy for properties looking to attract new customers and generate excitement around their dining offerings. The upcoming Mei Lin and Kevin Lee events demonstrate Oklahoma's growing reputation as a culinary destination.