Recognized as Latina Businesswoman of the Year in 2021, Laura Uzcátegui de Russo has built one of the most beloved Latin American culinary brands in Quebec. As the founder of Bocadillo and Bocadillo Producciones, Laura has transformed her passion for Venezuelan cuisine into a platform for cultural integration and community empowerment.
In this exclusive interview with Americanos Magazine, she speaks candidly about what it means to build a business in a new country, the central role her family plays in her professional life, and the values she embeds in every corner of her restaurants — from the kitchen to her relationships with staff and customers.
Laura now embarks on a new chapter with Mirella, an Italian restaurant named in honor of her children’s paternal grandmother, a woman whose recipes and love shaped the family’s history. With her husband of 35 years and her children directly involved in the project, Mirella promises to bring the warmth and authenticity that have defined Bocadillo for over a decade.
Laura also shares powerful advice for Latina women who dream of launching their own ventures in Quebec: lead with love, build a reliable team, and never underestimate the power of emotional support on difficult days.