History

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CHEF RICHARD BALOGH

Executive Chef, Richard Balogh Owner, Chef, and Artistic Director of Refugio's Country Italian Cuisine. He comes by way of Cleveland, Ohio, where he grew up. He lives in a culturally diverse city. With a mother who was Sicilian and a father who was Czechoslovakian. Perogies and Pasta were a staple. Once he visited his cousins in Rome, Italy, at the age of 16, he was not the same. Years later, he would realize that is where he felt at home, welcome, understood. After attending the University of Cincinnati's Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning school and focusing on Sculpture and Interior Design, he moved to the great Northwest to settle in Bellingham, Washington. Falling in love with Mount Baker and the countryside, he chooses Deming, Washington, as his spot for Rifugio's. His culinary learning happened when he took to offering his favorite dishes and refining his technique. He hesitates to call himself Chef, as there are so many things to learn and so far to go. So, join him on his journey and on your own as you travel up Mount Baker Highway into the beauty of mountains and great food.

Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us.

Executive Chef, Richard Balogh welcomes you to his world of culinary delights in comfort, rest, sustenance, and soul.

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The Only Italian Table on Mount Baker Highway

Fine Dining experience

In the Cascade foothills of Mount Baker National Park and Deming Homestead Eagle Park. You can dine and hike and dine again.

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The Best in the Northwest

A place of comfort
A place of rest
A place of sustenance
A place of soul
Rifugio's

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Perfect For Groups

Rifugio’s the ideal location for small & large groups. Only 20 Minutes from Bellingham. A central location in the countryside. Away from the hustle bustle of city life.

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Inspired Italian Cuisine

Weekly rotating menu based on seasonality
INSPIRED ITALIAN CUISINE
with fresh seasonal and foraged ingredients.

Enjoy Your Meal at Home

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Meet the Team

Owner / Executive Chef

Richard Balogh

Executive Chef Richard originally from Cleveland, Ohio brings his diverse skills in hospitality and the sculptural arts from the University of Cincinnati