Meet Silvio Correa

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Silvio Correa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Silvio , thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

Coming from São Paulo, Brazil, and building my career in Southern California, I’ve often found myself being the only Brazilian or the only chef with my background in the room. When I first started presenting Brazilian BBQ to American clients, a lot of people had never even heard of Brazilian BBQ or cuts like picanha.

At my very first food vending event, I didn’t sell any BBQ because people didn’t know what it was. I was one of the pioneers introducing Brazilian BBQ at fairs, handing out small samples to get people curious and to educate them. At that time, I didn’t have a restaurant, so I would also promote and direct people to the few Brazilian restaurants that existed in LA.

In Brazil, I never sold food or had a business; it was only a hobby I shared with friends and family. It was only after moving to California that the idea became real, and I saw the potential to turn it into a career.

I never felt alone or underestimated, because I always believed in the strength of my culture and flavors. Over time, through persistence, I transitioned fully into catering. That led to opportunities to cook with my team for large events like Coachella and Stagecoach. Today, while I no longer do food vending, I still showcase Brazilian BBQ through catering, and when clients discover it for the first time, their reaction is always fantastic.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Spreading the word about you and your brand
I’m the founder of Silvio’s BBQ Official and Tropicali Brazilian Kitchen, two brands dedicated to bringing authentic Brazilian flavors to Southern California. What excites me most is sharing the tradition of Brazilian BBQ in a way that feels both authentic and fresh, whether it’s through our signature picanha steak, roasted chicken, or inclusive catering menus that serve everyone, from meat lovers to vegans.

What makes my work special is the combination of passion, heritage, and consistency. I take pride in creating food that not only tastes amazing but also connects people. Over the years, my team and I have cooked for major festivals like Coachella and Stagecoach, as well as countless weddings, private parties, and corporate events. Each event is an opportunity to showcase Brazilian hospitality and make people feel like they’re part of something memorable.

Right now, my focus is on expanding Silvio’s BBQ Official, not just through catering, but also by building a product line that includes Brazilian BBQ sauces, dressings, and branded merchandise. I want to create an experience that goes beyond the plate, blending food, culture, and lifestyle. My goal is simple: to make Brazilian BBQ as familiar and celebrated in the U.S. as Italian or Mexican cuisine.

For readers, I’d like them to know that whether it’s a small family celebration or a large-scale event, my team and I bring the same energy, dedication, and authentic flavor. Food is my way of telling a story, and I’m proud that through my brands, I get to share a taste of Brazil with the world.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three Most Important Qualities, Skills, and Areas of Knowledge

Looking back, I believe three things have made the biggest impact on my journey:

Faith & Resilience
The food business is full of ups and downs, and there were many moments when it would have been easier to quit. What carried me through was faith in God and myself, in my vision, and in the idea that challenges are temporary. For anyone starting out, my advice is to stay patient and trust the process. Success rarely happens overnight, but resilience makes you stronger and keeps you moving forward.

Passion for Food & Hospitality
Cooking was never just a job for me; it started as a hobby, something I loved doing with family and friends. That passion became my foundation and gave me the energy to keep improving, even on tough days. If you’re starting your journey, focus on something you genuinely love. Passion can’t be faked, and people can feel it in your work.

Continuous Learning & Adaptability
From moving to a new country, to introducing Brazilian BBQ to an audience that had never heard of it to adapting during the pandemic with a smaller staff, learning and flexibility have been essential. The industry changes constantly, so you need to keep educating yourself and be willing to adapt. My advice: never stop learning, and don’t be afraid to adjust your strategy when challenges or new opportunities come up.

These three qualities, faith, passion, and adaptability, are what allowed me to turn a hobby into a career, and a career into brands that now serve thousands of people.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

Closing Question
The people who have been most helpful in my journey are, without a doubt, my family, friends, and close partners. My family gave me the foundation of hard work and integrity, my father taught me resilience and confidence, and my mother always showed me the importance of care and detail. My wife and son are my daily source of strength and inspiration, reminding me why I do what I do.

Friends and partners have also played an essential role, offering support, encouragement, and honest feedback when I needed it most. In the early days, they were the ones tasting my food, spreading the word, and cheering me on. Over the years, I’ve also been fortunate to work with amazing teams of people who believed in the vision and helped me bring it to life, from small catering crews to the large teams serving festivals like Coachella and Stagecoach.

I believe no one succeeds alone. While individual passion and drive matter, it’s the community around you, family, friends, mentors, and colleagues, that gives you the strength to keep going. That sense of support has been the greatest gift in my career and my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.silviosbbqofficial.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silviosbbqofficial/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silviosbbqofficial/