Working in hospitality was always the goal for Alvin Young, a goal he continues to achieve. He worked his way up the ladder in Las Vegas—starting as a server, then bartender and eventually moving into management. It’s been 17 years that Young has been a manager, spending more than 13 of those years running fine dining and nightlife and daylife at Wynn and Encore Las Vegas.

“I fell in love with management—the idea of crafting teams, leading teams and achieving goals,” Young says. “I wanted to find the end result somewhere in sports (towns), though, and this was one part of it. Anywhere with sports I want to be.” In early 2024, Young became the assistant vice president of food and beverage for F1 and F1’s new Grand Prix Plaza experience. Another goal achieved!

“Grand Prix Plaza is one of the largest F1 attractions in the world,” he says.

Not only do Young and his team take care of the food and cocktail programs for the Plaza, but when the big race comes in November, they’re all hands on deck for F1’s racing events, VIP parties, some of the fan zones and various activations.

“I have an amazing team—we’re all aligned on the race and its importance,” he says. “… I’m the type of leader that gets down in the front lines with my team, though, hand in hand with them. My motto is basically, ‘If you can’t do it yourself, instructing others doesn’t lend itself worth.’”

Photo by: Christopher DeVargas

Libation: Neon Overdrive

Take a break from exploring the Grand Prix Plaza and stop into Fuel & Fork and order up the Neon Overdrive. The spicy and sweet specialty cocktail is a mix of Volcán De Mi Tierra blanco tequila, passion fruit purée, fresh lime juice, jalapeno and an edible melon glass garnish.

Benefit: Don’t miss Grand Prix Sundays watch parties, designed to immerse fans in the high-octane energy of race day.

4400 Koval Lane. grandprixplaza.com

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