Hugo Ortega's story is much like those of so many other Americans: His success took a lot of hard work, a few kind people taking a chance on him, and maybe even a little luck.
In 1984, Hugo immigrated to Houston, TX from Mexico. “In Mexico, we have a saying, ‘If you’re born poor, you’ll die poor.'I knew I wanted more from my life," Hugo says.
Thanks to then President Ronald Reagan's amnesty program, he would be granted citizenship. Although Hugo did well for himself initially with two jobs, he eventually lost them both. In 1987, he met Tracy Vaught, owner of a local cafe. She hired him as dishwasher but soon saw something special in him.
"I feel this relief when I met Tracy for whatever reason. I felt I found home, I felt safe. This was the turning point in my life," Hugo says. Like 24-year-old Matt Anthony, Hugo believes his strong work ethic saved him.
While she encouraged him to work along side Executive Chef John Watt, she was also falling in love with him. The pair married in 1994, and with Watt's help Hugo enrolled in culinary school.
Tracy and Hugo would go onto open three restaurants together. They were nominated for restaurant of the year in 2003 and Hugo would become an award-winning chef.
"I think the American dream is that there are these possibilities and if somebody believes in you and helps you, all the better," Tracy says.
See how Tracy and Hugo's chance relationship became a story of the American dream.
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