Located in downtown Provo, the brand-new Peruvian restaurant Wariqe opened its doors four months ago, bringing a sense of culture and cuisine to the community.
The owner of Wariqe, Victor Castro, expects to build a Peruvian cuisine franchise throughout Utah.
“We got a lot of guests from many parts of the world, from Mexicans, Americans and Peruvians. Overall, from many countries,” Castro said. “We just opened four months ago ... hopefully someday we will be able to expand Wariqe and create a franchise.”
At Wariqe, Castro is focused on creating an enjoyable and welcoming environment from the moment customers enter the restaurant.
“We are focused on treating our guests very well and bringing one of the best tastes in the world,” Castro said.
The idea for Wariqe came to Castro many years ago when he began learning to cook at Chiclayo, Peru, his hometown. Later, he gained experience in Lima, Peru, before moving to Santiago, Chile. After spending seven years there, he finally made the big move to the United States.
“I started as a kitchen assistant when I arrived (in the United States). Those years were important for me; I gained more experience,” he said. “Later, some friends recommended me to open a restaurant in Utah; they told me that there weren’t many good Peruvian restaurants.”
Before opening Wariqe, he was cooking at his own home for some friends until taking the step to expand.
The same values and goals are shared by one of his assistants, Javier Reyna.
"We had the idea of having a restaurant three years ago," Reyna said. "We were supported by our friends who told us about Utah and its Peruvian community. All we want to do at Wariqe is to offer a good experience; something that makes you invite someone to come and enjoy."
The arrival of this new restaurant confirms the growth of the Peruvian community in Utah. Alberto Puertas, a Peruvian resident of the state, commented on this trend.
“When I arrived in Utah in 1984, the Peruvian community was very small. Now it’s different. We are a dynamic community that has increased our presence in the state, reaching the point that we are one of the few Latin American communities that have an official consulate in Salt Lake City," Puertas said.
When asked about his thoughts on the new Peruvian restaurant, Puertas was clear.
“(It) makes me proud since our food is being recognized by the world, but at the same time, it triggers a mixed feeling of nostalgia and melancholy,” Puertas said. “It reminds you of your country, the things you used to know and eat.”
As Peruvians and other people from many parts of the world continue coming to Utah, more restaurants like Wariqe will appear, ready to offer customers a memorable experience.