Gina Russo, senior general beverage manager for Bellagio is a boss—literally and figuratively. Growing up in Las Vegas, she started in the food and beverage industry at just 16 years old and she’s been making moves ever since.
She’s worked all over the city, at properties including Palms, Mandalay Bay, Wynn, The Venetian and MGM Grand; and she’s worked in locals favorite restaurants, too. Russo has held every position from hostess, busser and server to bartender and cocktail server. She’s been in management; she’s been a beer director; she’s a certified beer server; and currently she’s studying for her first-level sommelier certification.
After 24 years in the industry, Russo brought all her talents and experience to Bellagio one year ago. “I’ve built up all this experience over the years to finally bloom and get to do what I’m really, really good at,” she says.
Russo oversees the property’s lounges and cocktail programs, including Baccarat Bar, Lily Bar & Lounge and Petrossian Bar, where we met for this interview and photo shoot.
“The second you walk into Petrossian Bar, you know it’s special; something different,” she says. “Our servers are well-educated on caviar and wine and spirits. You have a different level of service here.”
Chatting with Russo, you easily recognize her love and commitment to the job, to the food and beverage industry, and to the city of Las Vegas.
“It’s the hospitality city of the world,” she says. “I’ve worked at the best hotels on the Strip. I feel like I’ve grown and learned so much here and I’ve networked so much within this community of beverage. I love my career and I love Vegas for my career.”
Libation: Worldly Old-Fashioned
Each cocktail at Petrossian Bar is an experience, and the Worldly Old-Fashioned is a perfect example, created with Suntory Toki whiskey, Bushmills Irish whiskey, Dewars Scotch, demerara syrup, Angostura bitters , brandied cherries and an orange twist.
Benefit: Petrossian Bar offers caviar service and creative caviar dishes, like the caviar donut and the caviar taco.
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