Creating an American Dream

Amporn 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 was eventually rescued, and 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 restaurant. LeRoy inspired Vasquez to go to culinary school at Delaware Tech, and then hired her as the restaurant’s kitchen manager.

After graduating from Delaware Tech in 1999, Vasquez became the restaurant’s executive chef, retiring in 2013. Over the years, Vasquez has received many awards and recognition including the President’s Award for Commitment to the American Culinary Federation from the First State Chef’s Association, Distinguished Service Award from the First State Chef’s Association, the National Restaurant Association’s prestigious Faces of Diversity American Dream Award, and Chef of the Year from the First State Chefs’ Association.

Her story and her recipes have been featured in publications such as Signature Magazine, Delaware Today and the News Journal.

Ms. Vasquez was recently recognized as one of Delaware Tech’s 2016 Distinguished Alumni.