The National Restaurant Association has honored Amporn Vasquez, executive chef of Pizza by Elizabeths in Greenville, Del., with its 2011 Faces of Diversity American Dream Award.
The award celebrates members of the restaurant and foodservice industry who have embraced diversity and inclusion at their own business operations and achieved the American Dream in the process. National Restaurant Association presented the awards during its 2011 Public Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C.
“The restaurant industry is one of the most diverse industries in the United States, and we are celebrating that by honoring these individuals and companies with our 2011 Faces of Diversity awards,” said Dawn Sweeney, president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. “Amporn’s determination and ability to adapt under harsh conditions, as well as her commitment to mentoring others, are admirable and inspiring. She exemplifies the best of our industry and the many opportunities it provides.”
Vasquez began her quest for the American Dream at age 14 when, determined to escape familial abuse and an arranged marriage, she hid in a zoo in her native Thailand. She made her way to the United States, settling in Delaware. She took on a series of odd jobs and domestic work to support herself until she met restaurateur Betsy LeRoy, who was planning to open Pizza by Elizabeths. LeRoy inspired Vasquez to go to culinary school and then hired her as the restaurant’s kitchen manager. Today Vasquez is the executive chef of the restaurant.
The National Restaurant Association, in partnership with PepsiCo Foodservice, created the Faces of Diversity awards program in 2007. It highlights diversity in two categories — the American Dream Award and the Inspiration Award. The American Dream Award honors individuals of diverse backgrounds who, despite hardship, have succeeded through hard work and determination. The Inspiration Award recognizes a restaurant company or organization that has exhibited leadership and vision through its advocacy of diversity and inclusion.
The Association recognized three American Dream Award recipients, including Vasquez, and one Inspiration Award recipient. In addition to the award, a $2,500 scholarship was given to a student in their respective communities.
The other winners of the 2011 Faces of Diversity award are Berekti and Akberet Mengistu of Mesob restaurant in Montclair, N.J.; Richard Castro, an El Paso, Texas-based McDonald’s franchisee; and The Culinary Institute of America with San Antonio-based private equity firm Silver Ventures Inc. For more information about the Faces of Diversity awards program, visit www.restaurant.org/diversity.