Bringing fresh excitement to BocaDos STK Restaurant at Garza Blanca Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta, Chef Alvaro Cortez’s unbridled passion for spectacular dining experiences has brought well-deserved attention to his immense talents in the kitchen. Hailing from the state of Veracruz on Mexico’s eastern coast, he is now happily delighting the tastebuds of diners in Puerto Vallarta, where he has been presiding over the menu at BocaDos STK restaurant for just over a year.
Let’s take a closer look at this father of five, sports fanatic and culinary mastermind, Chef Alvaro Cortez.
The Early Days
His earliest memories in the kitchen center on his mother, who was an avid baker. Her love of food inspired him, and as he grew, so did his enthusiasm for cooking, which eventually led Chef Alvaro Cortez to study and receive degrees in both gastronomy and food engineering. While he was still in school, he got his first job at a steakhouse, where he developed a deep love of working with meat. Thanks to his time there, he views beef, and steak in particular, as the ultimate blank canvas upon which to create literally hundreds of inspiring dishes.
Coming Full Circle
Years later, Chef Alvaro Cortez worked as the chef at La Casona at Villa del Palmar Cancun, which is a sister resort to Garza Blanca Resort & Spa. He eventually moved on to another job in Cancun, where he had the opportunity to showcase his skills at an event known as the “Chef Experience”. Several members of the executive team from Tafer Hotels & Resorts happened to be in attendance, who were very impressed with the entire experience. Many of them recognized Chef Cortez from his time at Villa del Palmar Cancun, and this event began a fresh new dialogue between him and the executives, who quickly invited him to become part of the team at Garza Blanca Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta.
What’s Next for BocaDos
Now that he has had time to settle into his new position at BocaDos, Chef Alvaro Cortez is excited to introduce a fresh new spin on the “Chef Experience” in Puerto Vallarta. There will be an extra menu choice in addition to the standing menu, and this extra option will change every third day. Members and guests will now have the chance to try something new, along with their menu favorites, whenever they dine at BocaDos STK. Designed to bring the fun back to dining, diners will be encouraged to “play” with their food, creating a dynamic experience that is sure to be unforgettable.
Diners will encounter a variety of creative dishes that will allow them to make the experience more personal, from cooking certain ingredients in their meal to cutting their own sashimi in order to suit their own preferences. While these dishes will constantly be evolving, one thing is for certain: with Chef Cortez in charge, the dining experience will be phenomenal!
