About the Chefs
Yari Vargas, is the executive chef & owner of Casa Yari Inc. & Catering by Casa Yari . A Chicagoan born & raised, in the Humboldt park area. Chef Yari is known for adding a unique flair to Latin cuisine and wowing her guests with her imaginative hand-crafted flan.
Mother's from a little town in Puerto Rico called Lares. Father is an immigrant identifies himself as a afro-latino from Honduras, family resides in progreso. Her culture shines as she elevates her parents recipes. She taught herself to be able to cook vegan & vegetarian to offer those options at her restaurant.
"I love that I'm a bi-cultural latina chef, born & raised in Chicago, for me is an amazing advantage to be able to get to know the culture and history of the gastronomy of Puerto Rico & Honduras and be able to elevate my family recipes, I tell my story thru food" - Chef Yari is passionate about bringing good people, quality ingredients and incredible flavors together.
She open up Casa Yari in 2013, having the vision to serve quality food and provide great services.
Casa Yari has been featured in several magazines like Chicago magazine, Vegworld magazine and has numerous recognition.
Local Chicago viewers have been able to capture her love of food and cooking. Chef Vargas has been a special guest/host featured on Food Segments for the television networks Telemundo, WCI-U, NBC-5, and Chicago’s Best TV Show, WGN-9 Adelante Chicago and Chicago Tribune
Sous Chef- Hector Ruiz
Hector Ruiz is a Native Chicagoan from Humboldt Park and his parents are from Lares, Puerto Rico.
in 2013, Hector join Casa Yari, With his managing experience of 25 years, he knew his experience will help break the stereotype of latin restaurant reputation of bad services.
Hector Ruiz is also a certified mixologist and has worked in food companies, understanding good food quality. He saw the necessity of good food quality & great services. He realized how much more in common they both had as Chicagoans. This made Hector Ruiz more passionate about joining the restaurant, and now is Casa Yari sous Chef.
