Chef Alfredo Vargas marries two beloved dining traditions at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa’s Buffet: authentic and unique dishes and all-you-can-eat options. By Michele Chiappetta
Photos by Marc Rains
Tulsa has a surprising number of highly recognized chefs these days. What is not a surprise is that chef Alfredo Vargas from Buffet at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa is one of them. In the 1980s, a young Vargas brought his dreams and ambitions from Mexico City to the restaurant scene of Southern California. It didn’t take long for his love for food and cooking to propel him from an entry-level dish washer to running restaurant kitchens. From Denny’s to mom-and-pop restaurants to Sheraton Hotels, Vargas has challenged himself through the years to constantly improve his skills in the kitchen, all in pursuit of his passion for success. Although Vargas was not able to gain any formal culinary training in his early days, the opportunity to work under talented chefs has proven to be excellent hands-on experience to rival any school of cooking. Through the years, as he has apprenticed with many well-known chefs, including an executive chef to the White House and various casino chefs in California, among others, Vargas has gained a lot of skill in the kitchen. Chef Alfredo Vargas
88 AUGUST 2017