A Las Vegas chef who was left homeless and now lives in the city’s filthy maze of flood tunnels is featured in a new documentary that exposes his heartbreaking story.
The kitchen helper – who does not reveal his name – appears in a short film made by YouTube creator Drew Binkywhich focuses on the so-called ‘mole people’ of Sin City.
The nomadic community of about 1,500 people lives in a network of concrete tunnels beneath the gleaming hotels and casinos, which were originally built after a catastrophic and costly flood in 1975.
In one scene, Drew, after driving through a dark tunnel, encounters the chef and stops to learn more about his life.
The former chef, who hails from O’ahu, Hawaii, explains that he used to work at the prestigious Wynn Hotel and earned $87,000 a year, but that things then took a turn for the worse.
A Las Vegas chef who was left homeless and now lives in the city’s filthy labyrinth of flood tunnels is featured in a new documentary that exposes his heartbreaking story
The kitchen helper – who doesn’t reveal his name – appears in a short film made by YouTube creator Drew Binksy, which looks at the so-called “mole people” of Sin City
The former chef, who hails from O’ahu, Hawaii, explains that he used to work at the prestigious Wynn Hotel and had an annual income of $87,000, but then things took a turn for the worse.
He makes it clear that he doesn’t like the work culture, telling Drew, “Everyone is fed up and super pretentious.”
‘I wasn’t like an ordinary [chef]I used to cook for Mr. Wynn… He just likes mozzarella omelette with burnt onions.’
The man says that in addition to his work as a chef, he also worked as an Uber driver, which he describes as “fun.”
When asked how he ended up in the tunnels, the man only explains that he did so to ‘stay away from the police’. He does not provide further details.
Although conditions in the tunnels are appalling, the man says he is reasonably happy with his living situation. The only things he ‘really misses’ are his car, his ‘huge bathroom’ and his ‘cool kitchen’.
In the film, Drew’s camera pans to show how the man has created a makeshift kitchen with a large pot over a wood fire.
When asked if he would ever consider returning to a permanent job, the man indicates that he does not want to return to a professional kitchen.
He explains his reasoning and says, ‘YYou end up working as 16 [to] 18 hours a day just to pay [a home] that you don’t use.’
When asked how he ended up in the tunnels, the man only explains that he did so to “stay away from the police,” but he gives no further details.
In the film, Drew’s camera pans to show how the man has created a makeshift kitchen with a large pot placed over a wood fire
The man, who has been living in the tunnels for over a year, also says that, like cooks, he can search for treasure both above and below ground.
In one scene, the chef shows Drew his collected items. Some of his most prized finds include a box of Jordan sneakers and a bicycle worth $5,000.
He explains that he also had a backpack with him containing almost 2 pounds of silver and half a pound of gold, which he wanted to pawn, but that the bag was recently stolen.
When asked about his most valuable find, the chef says he once found a Cartier Ballon Bleu watch worth about $10,000.
Unfortunately, this was yet another item that was stolen when he was looking for a pawn shop to take it to.
Drug abuse is a major problem in the tunnels of Las Vegas, but Drew says during a conversation with the ex-chef that it doesn’t appear he’s using substances.
However, the man corrects him by saying that he uses drugs “all the time,” with crystal meth being his favorite.
The nomadic community lives in a network of concrete tunnels beneath the gleaming hotels and casinos, originally built after a catastrophic flood in 1975.
Drew was given safe access to the Las Vegas tunnels through a non-profit organization called Shine A Light. Pictured is Drew’s guide Rob
The documentary ends with Drew telling viewers to remember that “the next time you’re in Vegas, there’s a whole world beneath your feet.”
After spending several hours in the tunnels of Las Vegas and talking to some of the other underground dwellers, Drew ends his film with a call to action.
He concludes: ‘After sitting in the tunnel for a few hours, my feet are completely soaked, they smell like shit and what am I complaining about?
‘These people have nothing… [they are] addicted to drugs. It’s really very sad. They really need help.
‘Beneath the glitz and glamour of Sin City there is a dark side that no one talks about and today I got to see it with my own eyes.
“Homeless people in the US need our help and they need better resources to combat drug addiction and mental health issues.
‘No one should have to live this way… locked in darkness and forced to search for basic needs.’
Drew was given safe access to the Las Vegas tunnels through a non-profit organization called Shine a light.
The The homeless outreach and placement service, which started in 2009, provides shelter to hundreds of people with a variety of much-needed supplies including bottled water, food, socks, flashlights, headlamps and batteries.
Drew’s guide Rob used to live in the tunnels, but now works for the non-profit organization that helps others get back on their feet and kick their drug addiction.
The documentary ends with Drew praising the work of the nonprofit and telling viewers to remember that “the next time you’re in Vegas, there’s a whole world beneath your feet.”