Like Luke Nguyen, these chefs overcame difficulties in their early lives to cook their way to the top.
Hugo Ortega: You may know him from his multiple award-winning restaurant, Hugo’s, but did you know that this illustrious chef entered the United States illegally when he was a small boy? He worked as a dishwasher at a café in Houston, Texas, but his passion for cooking (inspired by his grandmother) drove him to take up a culinary course. After working at several restaurants, Ortega became one of the most renowned chefs in America.