Houston’s Hugo Ortega Wins James Beard Award For Best Chef In The Southwest

HOUSTON, TX -- Hugo Ortega, one of Houston’s most talented chefs, won the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef Southwest award Monday night in Chicago.

Ortega, 51, owner and chef of Backstreet Cafe, Hugo’s, Caracol, and Xoch is a six-time nominee for the prestigious award who many considered long-overdue to receive the award.

The James Beard Award, considered to be the Academy Award for culinary excellence, has been awarded three of the last four years to Houston area chefs.

See Also: Two Houston Chefs Named 2017 James Beard Award Finalists

Ortega’s win is merely a portrait of the American Dream and is considered one of Houston’s success stories.

He was born in Mexico City, and immigrated illegally to the United States in 1984 at the age of 17.

Hugo Ortega (standing far left) won the James Beard Award for best Chef in the
Southwest at a ceremonin in Chicago Monday night. (Image: ultrakickgirl via Flickr)

He was unable to speak English when he began working at the Backstreet Cafe as a dishwasher, and showed the restaurant staff that he was a diamond in the rough in the kitchen.

He began learning English and working to obtain legal citizenship in the U.S.

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He attended culinary school at Houston Community College and progressed through the ranks at Backstreet Cafe.

Simultaneously, he fell in love with and married Backstreet owner Tracy Vaught, and together they built a formidable culinary team, creating H-Town Restaurant Group which includes some of Houston’s finest restaurants.

Although Backstreet knew of Ortega’s talent it wasn’t until 2002, when the team opened Hugo’s that Ortega’s reputation outside of Houston became cemented.

He and his wife would also open Caracol, and Xochi later on, further cementing their success and Ortega’s reputation and talent.

Despite the acclaim, Ortega expressed his humility, and dedicated the award to the city of Houston.

"What can I say," he said. "America is beautiful, and I am living the dream."

Image: courtesy James Beard Foundation

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