Following his studies, he sought a job in a quality restaurant, a challenging task in the 1990s in Budapest. During the early years after the regime change, Hungary resembled a "wild east" with difficult conditions and only a few restaurants, many of which lagged behind Western standards.

Realizing he was searching for something different, Tamás left the restaurant Szindbád after just a year and a half. He then began working at the American Embassy in Budapest as the Ambassador's chef. From 1992 to 2000, he served three ambassadors—Charles Thomas, Donald Blinken, and Peter Tufo - at the Ambassador’s Residence.

At just 22 years old, Tamás managed and organized hundreds of receptions, lunches, dinners, and 4th of July celebrations. He cherished those years, given their significance in Hungarian politics and history, witnessing events like the Yugoslav civil war, the Gulf War, Bosnia, the Budapest Treaty, and Hungary’s accession to NATO. He also met several notable figures, including Árpád Göncz, General Colin Powell, Tom Lantos, and Richard Holbrook.

These eight years were transformative for Tamás as a young man, bringing him close to historical events and enabling him to cook for important political VIPs while gaining insight into American culture.

After eight years, he sought new challenges and decided to start his own business. He began with a small kitchen and soon opened his first fast-food restaurant in Budapest’s Westend Mall. Within a year, he launched a second location. However, he soon realized the downtown business district offered an opportunity for a new concept.

Inspired by his experience in Manhattan, Tamás recognized the need for a true self-service restaurant in Budapest’s business district. Taking a significant risk, he pooled his financial resources and expertise to establish Budapest’s first real self-service restaurant, located where the current Vibe Budapest restaurant and bar now operates.
 

He operated the Roosevelt Self Service Restaurant from its inception until December 2023. During this time, he also ran another self-service restaurant in the Bankcenter, near the Hungarian National Bank. Unfortunately, the pandemic and the subsequent rise of remote work significantly impacted the office canteen business.

As the leaseholder of the Vibe Budapest premises, Tamás reimagined his business strategy, recognizing the location’s potential as one of Budapest's prime spots. He dreamed of creating a Coya-style restaurant in the space, inspired by similar concepts in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Music played a central role in his vision, and he prioritized the sound system as a key element of the concept.

A friend introduced Tamás to an article about Károly Gerendai, whose dream aligned with his—though Károly envisioned a Zuma-style restaurant. Understanding the similarities between the two brands, they decided to collaborate, blending the expertise of the Costes Group, Károly's team, and Tamás’s own experience to bring Vibe Budapest to life.

This is the brief story of Vibe Budapest and a glimpse into Tamás’s journey.

1. Where did you grow up?

I was born and grew up in Budapest, Hungary.

2. If you could be an expat anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

I've never been to Australia, I would love to experience living there. Sidney or New Zealand respectively, and Singapore definitely. And London........

3. What would you miss most if you moved away from Hungary?

 I don't know, I've never tried to be an expat.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?

Having dinner and fun in Vibe Budapest!!!

5. What is your favourite food?

It is a difficult question! I love seafood, Levantine food, Asian, Italian.....I can't choose. Maybe I could describe my favourite food when taste and healthiness are joined in one food.

6. What is your favourite sport / form of exercise?

Cross training, functional training.

7. What is your favourite place in Hungary?

I love Bükk mountains and Balaton of course. But firstly Budapest!

8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?

Something that relates to aviation. During the pandemic I applied for pilot training at Emirates. I read on their website there was no upper age limit, just minimum. No joke! But of course I didn't receive any answer. 

9. What’s a job you would definitely never want?

Being a bookkeeper.

10. Where did you spend your last vacation?

In Bangkok and Koh Samui.

11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?

Somewhere in Asia, maybe in Vietnam.

12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?

Regarding my age, Abba and Star Wars, no doubt. Collecting Star Wars photos, toys, and Lego.

13. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?

I don't think I should tell the truth! He he he...

14. Red wine or white?

Red

15. Book or movie?

Recently I read online. I never thought that online reading would replace books, but I got used to reading online. Lately, I watch less and less movies, I prefer documentaries instead.

16. Morning person or night person?

Both

17. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?

Democracy, Pluralism...

18. Buda or Pest side?

For living Buda, having fun and going out definitely Pest.

19. Which achievement in your life are you most pleased about?

We have raised two wonderful children, and our recently opened Vibe Budapest.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?

Always question your own standpoint, listen to other's opinions, and avoid being controlled by your ego!