“The challenge of leaving our family behind after several years in Venezuela was tough, especially because we were three teenage siblings. Leaving there, and in my particular case, facing such a big change, was difficult because I didn’t know a word of English. I arrived here at school with no friends, no knowledge of anything, and no language skills. However, although the transition was challenging, it also turned out to be an incredible opportunity to learn new things and open myself to new experiences.”
Enrique Orioli is a young Hispanic man born in Venezuela. He is the third generation of the Orioli family, whose life and work are a testament to the power of living as a family, with passion and perseverance. Currently, he is the pillar of the operational structure of the Orioli Restaurant Group and is responsible for ensuring that his family’s legacy endures for future generations.
Behind the eight restaurants that the family has built over more than three decades lies a story that began long ago in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Enrique’s grandparents, Elda and Doménico Orioli, emigrated to Venezuela after World War II, bringing with them the culinary traditions of their homeland. What started as a small restaurant on the Venezuelan coast transformed into a chain of restaurants and hotels, all infused with the love and dedication of the Orioli family.
Enrique recalls how complex it was to leave behind his home in Venezuela in 1999 when he was just 16 years old, seeking new opportunities in the United States amid political instability in his home country. However, it wasn’t easy. He emphasizes cultural and language adaptation as a major challenge, but with the support of his family and the strong foundation of “Nonna” Elda’s recipes, they managed to open their first restaurant in Houston, *Vía Emilia*, in 2000.
Enrique stresses that maintaining family unity has been the key to their success. Even today, despite the expansion and success, the family remains the heart of the business. Sundays are sacred for gathering, sharing a meal, and passing on the values that have kept them united through the years.
When asked about the future of the Orioli family, Enrique talks about the importance of continuing to perfect what they already have, never losing sight of the quality and the roots that have brought them to this point. With five restaurants currently in operation, his plan is to strengthen and improve each of them before considering any new expansions.
To close, Enrique shares a message of gratitude toward the community of The Woodlands, which has been a fundamental pillar in the growth of his family in the United States. After 35 years of success in this country, the Orioli chain continues to build on the solid foundation that his grandparents began so many years ago.
