ABOUT
PALATE is modern Americana Cuisine with cultural influences located in the heart of the Arts District of Las Vegas. With the ever changing landscape of Las Vegas, Palate was created to pay homage to the Arts District by giving back to the locals a place that truly defines the Arts District of Las Vegas. We are a kitchen and bar where the food is art, cocktail is art and the sights and sounds is art. Palate Las Vegas is minority owned, woman owned and locally owned. We are committed to giving back to the Arts District by partnering with local trades, vendors, suppliers, artists, musicians, etc. We are driven to provide the highest quality product to our guests. As soon as you step into Palate you will be elevated to a whole new dining experience deserving of the Arts District. Orchestrated by the culinary arts of Chef Sterling Buckley and led by the dynamic duo of Rudy Aguas & Marisa Martino of Bar-Kada Hospitality, you will enjoy extraordinary delights and innovative libations from classics to Palate’s own housemade cocktails. Our goal is for all our guests to always feel welcome and special - their drinks will be full and their bellies will be happy because our offerings are made with incredible love and passion.
WELCOME TO PALATE!
STERLING BUCKLEY
executive chef
Originally from Los Angeles, California, Chef Sterling spent his childhood experimenting with food and flavors that sparked his creative spirit by cooking his own meals and testing various foods for fun with his brother. Raised by parents with a music background, Chef Sterling spent his teenage years performing, writing and recording music, however, he always wanted to pursue his passion for culinary.
In 2000, Chef Sterling moved to Las Vegas, where he landed his first restaurant job at the Stratosphere at the young age of 18 after graduating High School. In 2006, Chef Sterling enrolled in culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu, Las Vegas and thereafter, has spent many years honing his craft and bringing creative takes on Southern cuisine with Latin American, Pan Asian and European influences.
Chef Sterling has had the impactful opportunity to be seen on national and local television, including “Chopped”, and to work as an Executive Chef at various restaurants such as La Cave at the Wynn, Gordon Ramsay Steak, Honeysalt and as Executive Sous Chef at Momofuku.
Now based at Palate in the ever-growing Las Vegas Arts District, Chef Sterling continues to share his love for the restaurant industry and looks forward to interact with new diners by showing that restaurants are more than a place to eat, but a place to be entertained and experience a journey of passion.
When Chef Sterling is not in the kitchen, you can find him with his three sons and beautiful wife. A major sports fan and music lover, you can catch Chef singing to his favorite songs in the kitchen.
BAR-KADA HOSPITALITY
RUDY AGUAS
managing partner
Rudy is a successful well known hospitality operator in the Las Vegas community. Throughout his 20+ years of events, restaurant, hotel and bar experience, he has been providing outstanding guest service with superior financial results while working for some of the top restaurants companies and resorts such as Wynn & Encore, Venetian - Palazzo, Hard Rock Hotel and Station Casinos. Rudy has worked with several celebrity chefs from Kerry Simon, David Burke , Dalton Wilson to Robert Irvine. He has been involved in multiple new restaurant openings wherein he oversaw and was involved in design and construction, pre-opening, operation systems, implementation, staff hiring, training, and management. He has progressed in every position getting him to where he is today.
Rudy has his sommelier certification and is well versed in mixology and all aspects of beverage. He has built great relationships in the community and would be an asset to rep and train on all wine, liquor and beers for hospitality operations.
Rudy also has vast knowledge of global cuisines and cultural trends in the culinary industry allowing him to understand the needs of clients and the desires of their guests. He specializes in recipe creations, menu development, culinary training and kitchen efficiencies.
MARISA MARTINO
managing partner
Marisa is a successful and well known Food and Beverage professional with expertise as a developer, director, recruiter, consultant and operator in the Las Vegas community. Throughout her 30+ years of restaurant and hotel experience, she has been providing outstanding guest service with superior financial results while working for some of the top restaurant companies, such as, Robert Irvine, N9NE Steakhouse, E-Brands, Steven Starr, Levy Restaurants, and Station Casinos.
Marisa’s abilities go beyond just general management and operation as she additionally oversaw and was involved in design and construction, pre-opening, operation systems design and implementation, and staff hiring, training and management. Marisa continues to lend her Food & Beverage Skills to her clients and has worked in multi-faceted concepts to fine dining to casual and QSR.
She is well versed in all culture and cuisines across the country and international; concepts. Marisa has excellent written, verbal, business accounting, marketing and computer skills, as well as interpersonal leadership skills, relationships within her community, marketing partnerships that are assets to her clients. Marisa is involved with several charities that she raises contributions through her events and she sits on the board of the Epicurean Charitable Foundation in Las Vegas.
Additionally, she graduated, with honors, from UNLV’s famed William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, with a minor in Accounting.