After serving time, this cook now serves the night owls of Anchorage | INDIE ALASKA

Alaska Public Media | By Valerie Lake

Published July 15, 2024 at 10:03 AM AKDT

A Latino man with tattoos on his arms hands food to a customer. — Ricky Vazquez, owner of The Kitchen, serves food to patrons at the Anchorage bar, Chilkoot Charlies. (Valerie Lake/Alaska Public Media)

Ricky Vazquez is a proud Puerto Rican who rarely slows down. After spending almost a decade in incarceration, he doesn't like to get bored. These days he prefers the adrenaline of the busy Saturday night rush at one of Anchorage's most beloved historic taverns.

INDIE ALASKA is an original video series produced by Alaska Public Media in partnership with PBS Digital Studios. The videos capture the diverse and colorful lifestyles of everyday Alaskans at work and at play. Together, these stories present a fresh and authentic look at living in Alaska.

Video produced by
Valerie Lake
Matt Faubion

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Valerie Lake

Valerie Lake worked at Alaska Public Media from 2017 to 2025. She was the managing producer for Indie Alaska, director for Alaska Insight, and led the video production team. Valerie Lake has previously gone by the names, Valerie Lloyd and Valerie Kern.

See stories by Valerie Lake