So it was no surprise that Vazquez opened many restaurants when he immigrated to the U.S. and consulted for many more. But what was surprising was how he beat celebrity chef and restaurateur Bobby Flay on Food Network’s Throwdown! with Bobby Flay.
“The Bobby Flay people came to me disguised as producers for a new show, and they were interested in doing a feature with me,” he recalls. “They followed me around from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.”
“I thought he was just coming in to see the show,” Vazquez says of Flay. But instead, he challenged Vazquez to a culinary throwdown.
“Being the tough immigrant I am, I said, ‘Bring it on.’”
Going head-to-head with one of the best chefs in the world might be daunting for some, but armed with his incredible skills and mouthwatering recipe, Vazquez wowed the judges, defeated Flay, and changed his life, all in one taping. Once his episode aired, the chef went from making 250 Cubanos to selling more than 1,500 a week at his restaurant, which became recognized by Wine Spectator and Tripadvisor for its exceptional menus. Vazquez had truly shot to superstardom.
After many successful years in the kitchen, Vazquez eventually decided to hang up his apron, but in 2022, an appealing offer made him reconsider his retirement. After being approached by the leadership team at The Watermark at Coral Gables, Vazquez felt his values perfectly aligned with the community’s commitment to serving seniors through exquisite and inspired cuisine. Now approaching two years into his role as the Dining Service Director, Vazquez oversees menus for five dining venues and is as motivated as he was when he first started cooking all those years ago.
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