Galveston restaurateur, Rudy & Paco owner, earns national restaurant association award

Rudy & Paco owner Francisco Vargas recently launched a new island establishment. >>See our full Galveston bar & restaurant guide. Rudy & Paco owner Francisco Vargas recently launched a new island establishment. >>See our full Galveston bar & restaurant guide. Photo: Yelp/Judith M. Photo: Yelp/Judith M. Image 1 of / 44 Caption Close Galveston restaurateur, Rudy & Paco owner, earns national restaurant association award 1 / 44 Back to Gallery

The owner of one of Galveston's longtime fine-dining establishments just earned a national distinction.

Rudy & Paco owner Francisco Vargas, known as Paco, on Wednesday received the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation's "Face of Diversity" award in Washington, D.C. The NRAEF is an agency that educates and recruits those interested in joining the hospitality industry.

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The award, according to the organization, "honors individuals from a diverse background who, through hard work and determination, have realized their American dream."

Vargas fled from the Nicaraguan Revolution's rebellion in 1978 and began working as a dishwasher and line cook in the U.S. before establishing Rudy & Paco in 1996.

"He created the Paco Vargas Scholarship Fund and has pledged $100,000 to benefit students in hospitality, restaurant management or service industry programs," according to a press release from NRAEF.

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Located at 2028 Postoffice Street, next to the The Grand 1894 Opera House, Rudy & Paco offers South- and Central-American seafood and steak in a white tablecloth setting. According to the Galveston County Daily News, he recently debuted Vargas Cut & Catch at 2102 Postoffice Street.

Vargas is one of three Face of Diversity winners, including the Abi-Najm Family, who won for their restaurant, Lebanese Taverna, in McLean, Va.

The NRAEF will donate a $2,500 scholarship in each of the winners' names that will benefit a high school student participating in the ProStart program, which offers a industry-driven curriculum for aspiring restaurateurs.

"Every year we look forward to celebrating the people who make our industry inclusive, generous and exciting," Rob Gifford, Executive Vice President of the NRAEF said in a prepared statement. "The Foundation is thrilled and honored to recognize the people and businesses that truly embody these values."

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