We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Silvio Correa. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Silvio below.

Silvio, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with what makes profitability in your industry a challenge – what would you say is the biggest challenge?

When starting my business in the food industry, I heard conflicting advice. Some said, “Catering or restaurants make a lot of money!” Others warned: “It’s a lot of hard work.” Twenty years later, our sales are growing steadily, but profitability margins are becoming a major challenge. Three years after the pandemic, food prices remain high, rents have soared and it is even more difficult to find qualified people to work.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My passion for cooking began when I was just 14 years old. Growing up, I spent my weekends traveling and surfing the North Coast Beaches of São Paulo. It was at Maresias Beach where I truly fell in love with grilling meats and seafood. I would source fresh fish directly from the fishermen and whip up the freshest seafood recipes using vegetables, seasonings, and banana leaves on the grill. My love for barbecuing grew as I started buying the best cuts of meat from the local butcher shop to prepare BBQs for my friends and family. The more I cooked, the more people wanted to try my food, and soon enough, I was getting invitations to cook at various parties in my hometown.

Moving to Southern California in 2000 was a game-changer. My popularity soared, and in 2003, I teamed up with some friends to create Silvio’s Brazilian Barbecue Catering Company in the South Bay area. We became one of the biggest food vendors and caterers in LA, even cooking 4,000 pounds of meat at the Coachella Music Festival one weekend! In 2008, my friends and I opened Silvio’s Brazilian BBQ in Hermosa Beach. It’s been a local favorite ever since. We wanted to bring a taste of Brazil to the community, and the response has been fantastic.

I wanted to return to my roots of cooking and barbecuing in a more personal setting. Silvio Personal Chef, started in 2017, allows me to bring my culinary skills directly to my clients’ homes, creating unique and memorable dining experiences. TROPICALI Brazilian Kitchen, launched in 2018, is all about providing traditional Brazilian cuisine with my special touch. We cater to corporations all over Los Angeles and have had the pleasure of serving companies like Bird Rides Inc., Sony, Paramount Studios, SoFi Stadium, and Fox Sports, among others.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe it’s a combination of my passion for cooking and my genuine love for meeting new people and ensuring they have a memorable experience. Cooking isn’t just a job for me; it’s my life. Every dish I prepare is crafted with love and attention to detail, which I think resonates with my clients. Over the years, I’ve built strong relationships with my customers, and their satisfaction and word-of-mouth recommendations have been crucial in establishing my reputation. Ultimately, I think it’s my dedication to my craft and the joy I find in sharing delicious food that has helped me stand out in the market.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My journey has never been easy in my entire life, but my dream and my faith make me never give up.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.silviopersonalchef.com / www.tropicali.net
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/silviopersonalchef and www.instagram.com/tropicalicatering
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/silviopersonalchef/ and https://m.facebook.com/tropicalicatering
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/silviopersonalchef and www.linkedin.com/in/tropicali-brazilian-kitchen

Image Credits

Coachella Music Festival, Silvio’s BBQ Catering, Tropicali Kitchen Food Delivery, Silvio’s Brazilian BBQ Bar & Grill Hermosa Beach, Silvio’s BBQ Festival Crew, Paul Walker with Silvio Correa. Silvio’s Brazilian BBQ Food Booth Festival at Coachella.