Sfa honored houston chef hugo ortega with the 2017 craig claiborne lifetime achievement award. Located in the heart of houstons montrose area, hugos brings the exciting and earthy flavors of mexico across the border. And mayor sylvester turner made it official when ortega the chefowner of the awardwinning hugos. There, fans will find a dining experience that celebrates the culinary and indigenous richness of oaxaca, mexico and its varied geographic regions. Indepth houston restaurants turn to immigrants amidst worker shortage. Mexico cityborn chef hugo ortega is living the american dream. Tracy vaught recognized at houston business journals women who mean business awards 2017. Jul 20, 2016 hugo ortega and tracy vaught, the five time james beard award finalist and his wifebusiness partner known for acclaimed restaurants hugo s, caracol, and backstreet cafe, are making plans to open. Hugo ortega meals now available at select heb stores in houston. Houston chef hugo ortega puts oaxacan flavors front and center at xochi how one of the citys top chefs went from homeless to beard award winner by eater video aug 5, 2017, 1. Ortega went to houston, working menial jobs during the. Restaurants, including hugo ortegas backstreet cafe and hugos are among those tapped to fulfill the orders. Ortega learned to cook with his grandmother in the mexican state of oaxaca.
Hugo ortegas journey from dishwasher to head chef the story of the chef behind some of houstons best restaurants, in his own words by eater video and southern foodways alliance dec 14. I wondered if they had any idea they were about to dine at one of the very best restaurants in houston. New hugo ortega restaurant planned for uptown park houston. Jul 26, 2017 after winning a james beard award earlier this year, eater roving critic bill addison has named chef hugo ortegas xochi one of the best new restaurants in the country. Hugo ortega meals now available at select heb stores in. Hugo ortegas xochi, houstons finest new restaurant. Ownerchef hugo ortega has become a houston legend alongside wife and restaurateur tracy vaughtwho also operates prego, trevisio and backstreet cafeand longtime sommelier, sean beck. Southwest at the james beard awards, held monday night in chicago. Sep 27, 2019 chef hugo ortega, and tracy vaught, coowners of the htown restaurant group, announced they will open a new restaurant in uptown park slated for 2020. Hugo ortegas street food of mexico 2012 and backstreet kitchen.
Authentic mexican cuisine by awardwinning chef hugo ortega, handshaken margaritas and a festive atmosphere make this one of houstons dontmiss dining experiences. New hugo ortega concept, other restaurants revealed for convention district. Jan 14, 2020 ortegas touted restaurants, which include hugos, caracol and xochi serve up authentic regional mexican cuisine. He immigrated from mexico to houston and began in the restaurant business as a dishwasher at. Hugo ortegas xochi, houstons finest new restaurant alison cook june 12, 2017 updated. The first of ortega s places to head to when he has a hankering for a good meal in houston is himalaya restaurant. We provide opportunities through advancement and new business creation. Hugos chefowner hugo ortega has been a finalist for the james beard award three times. The chef and owner of hugos in houston describes his childhood in mexicos capital as hectic, up until. Houstons hottest chef, a newlyanointed james beard award star, is shunning the celebrity chef game. Apr 17, 2020 restaurants, including hugo ortegas backstreet cafe and hugos are among those tapped to fulfill the orders. His american dream continued when they opened hugos in 2002, featuring regional mexican cuisine. While the food is impressive, hugo s story is unforgettable. Caracol, a mexican coastal kitchen, in houstons galleria.
Sep 27, 2019 the restaurant will join htown restaurant groups solid stable of eateries, including backstreet cafe, which will celebrate 37 years this year, plus caracol, hugo s, and xochi. Hugo ortega of hugos, backstreet cafe and caracol, in houston discusses his love for traveling, his james beard foundation award nomination, and his favorite austin restaurants. The iron chef competition saw her not only competing but also assisting houston super chef, hugo ortega, in the large spread of food that he and his. Authentic mexican cooking is a worldclass cuisine that has remained virtually unchanged by the outside world, says executive chef hugo ortega of. Authentic mexican cuisine by awardwinning chef hugo ortega, handshaken margaritas and a festive atmosphere make this one of houstons dontmiss dining. In addisons latest yearly roundup of the countrys finest newlyopened eateries, xochi has earned a spot on the list. Southwest at the prestigious 2017 james beard foundation awards.
Hugo ortega and tracy vaught, the five time james beard award finalist and his wifebusiness partner known for acclaimed restaurants hugos. Located in sharpstown, indian and pakistani eats can be found on the menu. It is an honor for us to be associated with them, and to have our product in their stores, ortega said. Hugo ortega does not have particularly fond memories of growing up in mexico city. Apr 16, 2020 located in the heart of houstons montrose area, hugos brings the exciting and earthy flavors of mexico across the border. New hugo ortega restaurant planned for uptown park. Mar 25, 2019 chef hugo ortegas favorite houston restaurants by hugo ortega march 25, 2019 updated. Set in downtowns marriott marquis houston, xochi pronounced sochee means to bloom or catch fire and represents another creative endeavor from awardwinning chef hugo ortega and the h town restaurant group. The chef teamed up with heb to bring dishes from hugos and backstreet cafe to the chains shelves starting on april 20.
Hugo ortegas xochi is one of the countrys best new restaurants. On the latest episode of cooking in america, host sheldon simeon heads to houston to meet one of the citys most dynamic chefs. Beloved james beard awardwinning chef hugo ortega shares some of his favorite places to eat in houston. Hugo ortega is executive chefcoowner of four of houston s top restaurants backstreet cafe, hugo s, caracol and xochi, and winner of best chef. Site includes event information, press and information about his cookbooks. Hugo ortega chefowner of hugos and backstreet cafe. The best places to eat in houston, according to chef hugo.
Xochi sochee, from xochitl, goddess of the flowers, meaning to bloom or catch fire, is the newest creative endeavor of awardwinning chef hugo ortega and the h town restaurant group culinary team. Hugo ortega is the chef and coowner of hugos, caracol, xochi. We encourage personal growth by recognizing and nurturing talent with support and training so employees can achieve their highest potential. Houston restaurants turn to immigrants amidst worker shortage. Houston restaurants turn to immigrants amidst worker.
Chef hugo ortega of houston came away with the honor for best chef. He was a finalist for the award for six consecutive years, 2012 2017. Houston james beard award winner hugo ortegas dishes are now. Official site of chef hugo ortega awardwinning chef of backstreet cafe new american cuisine, hugos authentic mexican cuisine, and caracol coastal mexican kitchen. Hugo ortega s dish ragstoriches story began as an illegal immigrant from mexico and ended as a u. Xochi sochee, from xochitl, goddess of the flowers, meaning to bloom or catch fire, is the newest creative endeavor of awardwinning chef hugo ortega and. From dishwasher to renowned chef 6abc philadelphia. The best places to eat in houston, according to chef hugo ortega. Skip to main content 1600 westheimer, houston, tx 77006 75247744. The texas grocer announced that dishes from two of the beard award winners restaurants backstreet cafe and hugos will be available in. Hes the executive chef and coowner at four top local restaurants hugos, backstreet cafe, xochi and caracol. Authentic mexican cooking is a worldclass cuisine that has remained virtually unchanged by the outside world, says executive chef hugo ortega of his native cuisine. June 20, 2017 was declared hugo ortega day in houston by mayor sylvester turner in honor of his james beard award.
Heb serves up takeaway dishes from another houston. It was a longawaited win for the 51yearold chef, who had. Hugo is one of houstons most acclaimed chefs and believes that a chef is only as good as the last meal he cooked. Restaurateurs tracy vaught and hugo ortega announce they will open a new restaurant next year in uptown park. The chef teamed up with heb to bring dishes from hugos and.
Hugo was bestowed the 2017 craig claiborne lifetime achievement award from southern foodways alliance. A hugo ortega and tracy vaught restaurant in uptown park the james beardwinning chef is planning to open a spot out west. Hugo ortegas dish ragstoriches story began as an illegal immigrant from mexico and ended as a u. He moved to the kitchen, graduated from culinary school and is now its executive chefowner. Nov 06, 2019 landrys iron chef 2019 features hugo ortega, ariel fox and junior chefs. The addition of hugos brings to five the number of houston restaurants that have partnered with heb to create takeaway meals.
In 1984, ortega immigrated to houston with a cousin and a friend. Apr 20, 2020 joining a handful of local restaurants that have brought their most popular dishes to grocery store shelves, james beard award winner hugo ortega is the latest chef to jump on board. Chef hugo ortega was born in mexico city, the oldest of a family of eight children. Joining a handful of local restaurants that have brought their most popular dishes to grocery store shelves, james beard award winner hugo ortega is the latest chef to jump on board.
Houstons anticelebrity chef hugo ortega is happy to. Official site of chef hugo ortega awardwinning chef of backstreet cafe new american cuisine, hugos authentic mexican cuisine, and caracol coastal. Nov 19, 2017 meet hugo ortega, chef and owner of hugo s, which has been serving authentic mexican dishes in this city for 15 years. Tracy vaught, hugo ortega on the climb to becoming the. In 2017, houstons most deserving chef, hugo ortega, finally earned a. Chris shepherd 2014, hugo ortega 2017, justin yu 2016 and robert del grande. Houston chef hugo ortega puts oaxacan flavors front. Hugo ortega, tilman fertitta restaurants, others planned. We cannot thank heb enough for their thoughtfulness and leadership during this time.
Southwest 2017 xochi received award of excellence by wine spectator 2017 hugo ortega finalist for best chef. Chris shepherd 2014, hugo ortega 2017, justin yu 2016 and robert del grande 1992. After winning a james beard award earlier this year, eater roving critic bill addison has named chef hugo ortegas xochi one of the best new restaurants in the country. Joining a handful of local restaurants that have brought their most popular dishes to grocery store shelves. Houstons hugo ortega wins prize for best southwest chef. Official site of chef hugo ortega awardwinning chef of backstreet cafe new american cuisine, hugo s authentic mexican cuisine, and caracol coastal mexican kitchen. Hugo ortega is executive chefcoowner of four of houstons top restaurants backstreet cafe, hugos, caracol and xochi, and winner of best chef. He had no contacts or job leads but was determined to make a life for himself in america. Oct 15, 2019 located in the heart of houstons montrose area, hugos brings the exciting and earthy flavors of mexico across the border.
These are the best restaurants in houston, according to chef hugo. Exploring possibilities so we can provide opportunities through hospitality. Jun 20, 2017 the city of houston commends and congratulations chef hugo ortega on the momentous occasion and his culinary contributions to houston and extends best wishes on his continued success, the. Apr 21, 2020 hugo ortega meals now available at select heb stores in houston meals from james beard awardwinning chef are a new addition to hebs meal simple options from houston restaurants greg morago april 21, 2020 updated. Tracy and hugo are also investors in origen restaurant in oaxaca, mexico and with their team created the menu for hugos cocina in terminal c at george bush intercontinental airport in houston. Chef hugo ortega received craig claiborne lifetime achievement award 2017 from southern foodways alliance. Hugo ortega chefowner of hugo s and backstreet cafe.
Over the next decade, industry experts expect the restaurant labor shortage. Houston james beard award winner hugo ortegas dishes are. Authentic mexican cuisine by awardwinning chef hugo ortega, handshaken margaritas and a festive atmosphere make this one of houston s dontmiss dining experiences. He immigrated from mexico to houston and began in the restaurant business as a dishwasher at backstreet cafe.
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