DAVID BAKER / SPECIAL TO THE PVT Chef Tony Minadeo and Food and Beverage Director Jeff Rathjen are bringing changes to the Pahrump Nugget. Advertisement

There are some changes on the horizon at the Pahrump Nugget.

Some faithful patrons have already seen a change in the menu at the cafe.

The new owners at Golden Gaming have realized that to keep their patrons happy, good food must be offered. To that end the Nugget has brought in an exciting duo to take matters in hand: Food and Beverage Director Jeff Rathjen and Executive Chef Tony Minadeo have some new changes planned.

Chef Tony, who is CIA trained -- no, not that one, these initials refer to the the Culinary Institute of America, in Hyde Park, N.Y. -- has begun to implement some of those changes. As one example, the coffee shop now is offering monthly food specials.

Rathjen said, "We here at the Nugget, and our staff, are passionate about providing a superior product, superior service."

"In three months we are going to blow our competition out the water," Chef Tony added. "If you haven't eaten here since the Nov. 9 changeover, you need to come back. We have already started our changes, with even more to come."

Some of those changes are the kind that are not visible to customers.

Golden Gaming's Food Division holds all of its properties to the same stringent food-handling standards that are in effect in Clark County. That means that the chef and his staff have gone so far as to replace every bit of sanitizing equipment, new chemical sanitizing sprays, new dishwashers, and that an entirely new sanitary protocol has been implemented.

"We even have gone so far as to buy LED flashlights for our staff to use. It is the closest thing to having daylight at your disposal. We use them to inspect everything," said Chef Tony.

The other half of the equation is training, according to Rathjen.

"We expect all of our food handlers, servers to have a health card," he said. "We will and do train our staff to meet Clark County standards. Regardless of where our operations are at, we have a strong training program within the company. We are going to change the culture of this property.

"We are the third largest slot operator in the state. One of the ways we have gotten there is by keeping our customers happy with good food. We now have a full banquet. We have purchased a "smoker" to provide fresh smoked meats and barbecue for the buffet. New induction ranges have been purchased, we can cater in our buffet parties from 16 to 300. We are also willing to specialize our menus. We are flexible we will work with you."

He said a "true steak house" has been missing from Pahrump, but that will change by mid-spring.

Rathjen has been with Golden Gaming for four years. While working in Las Vegas, he oversaw eight taverns within the PT's Pub chain. Prior to his joining Golden Gaming, he has worked for the Mirage, Primm Group and Station Casinos.

Minadeo has worked for Spago's, Mandalay Bay, the Palms and the Wild Sage.