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Nuestra Cocina is a Chicago-based, women-owned company that has excelled in bringing authentic Mexican foods and culinary traditions to consumers around the world. Founder and owner Berenice Tenorio had the spirit of an entrepreneur long before she knew what the word meant. For better or worse, she also learned resilience at an age no child should have to. She lost her father when she was just seven, leaving her mother, who only had a third-grade education, to raise a family of nine.
“My mother possessed extraordinary determination, resilience, and work ethic,” Tenorio says. “Watching her overcome adversity taught me some of the most important lessons of my life: hard work, perseverance, resourcefulness, and the belief that challenges are opportunities to grow. As a child, I saw firsthand what it meant to work for every opportunity. There were no shortcuts, no safety nets, and no guarantees.”
That environment shaped the future founder’s mindset. Tenorio says she inherently understood that if she wanted a different future, she would have to create it herself.
She earned a degree in international business from Tecnológico de Monterrey, one of Mexico’s leading universities. After graduation, she moved to the US in 2004 and undertook the challenge of building a career in a completely different country and culture.
The entrepreneur says the founding of Nuestra Cocina wasn’t some lifelong ambition. It evolved from recognizing an opportunity in the marketplace.
“I saw that Mexican food was growing in popularity, but many products available in mainstream retail did not fully represent the quality, authenticity, and richness of Mexican gastronomy,” Tenorio explains.
She believed there was an opportunity to bridge that gap. Her vision was not only to build a successful food company, but also to elevate Mexican gastronomy and celebrate the country’s culinary heritage, on the global stage, while remaining true to its roots.
Tenorio says what makes Nuestra Cocina (and its brand portfolio that includes Nuestro Queso and Talavera) different is its authenticity combined with constant innovation. The company’s ethos is deeply rooted in Mexican culinary traditions, but it also understands how to translate those traditions into products that meet the needs of modern consumers and retailers.
“Many companies focus solely on authenticity or solely on innovation,” the owner says. “We work to achieve both. Whether it is specialty cheeses, traditional dairy products, protein-focused desserts, or new culinary concepts, innovation has always been part of our growth strategy. But we never lose sight of our purpose. Our success is rooted in celebrating Mexican culture while creating products that consumers genuinely enjoy and trust.” Under Tenorio’s leadership, Nuestra Cocina has built a reputation for combining authenticity with innovation, strategic partnerships, and the ability to identify emerging market opportunities while maintaining uncompromising quality.
The founder has also gone to great lengths to use her visibility to lift up others. Nuestra Cocina regularly donates products to community organizations and charity initiatives. It also supports scholarship initiatives and educational programs that help young people pursue higher education and professional development.
Tenorio dedicates time to mentoring women entrepreneurs and emerging business leaders.
“Many women, especially women from underrepresented communities, face challenges in accessing networks, resources, and mentorship,” the executive explains. “If my experience can help someone navigate those challenges more effectively, I consider that time well spent.”
The founder received the 2026 Building Bridges to Opportunity Award from Isakali, an organization dedicated to empowering Latino youth. Tenorio says the recognition was especially meaningful because it reflects values that are deeply important to her: expanding access to education, creating opportunities, and helping the next generation of leaders realize their potential. She has also received national recognition for her entrepreneurial leadership and contributions to the Hispanic Community.
Nuestra Cocina’s potential continues to grow. Today, Nuestra Cocina products are sold through leading grocery retailers across the United States and have expanded internationally into Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East. The founder says the organization is also exploring opportunities throughout Asia and other international markets.
That expansion has required significant evolution.
“Global expansion has required much more than simply shipping products overseas,” Tenorio says. “It involves understanding local consumers, adapting packaging and regulatory requirements, building strong partnerships, and educating retailers about Mexican cheeses and foods that may be unfamiliar to their shoppers.”
The ultimate goal remains: to elevate Mexican gastronomy on the global stage and demonstrate that Mexican foods deserve a place alongside the world’s most respected culinary traditions.
Professionally, Tenorio continues to grow. Her upbringing taught her perseverance and grit. Her education provided her a foundation in international business. Her immigrant journey taught her adaptability and resilience. And building her business has taught her the importance of trust and the value of strong relationships, which include retailers, product developers, supply chain, and, always, always, the customer.
The leader is still learning to let go. Early on, Tenorio got very used to doing everything, all at once. As she’s evolved as a leader, she’s learned the importance of building strong teams, empowering them, and creating systems that can help an organization scale.
“The companies that succeed are not necessarily the ones that avoid difficulties,” Tenorio says. “They are the ones that continue moving forward despite them. Every challenge helped me become a stronger leader and better businessperson.”
