In Chur, Graubünden, a warm and welcoming bistro, DaMamma, feels like home. The thriving local restaurant and one of the biggest producers of artisan panettone in Switzerland was founded in 2013 by Graduate Institute International Relations/Political Science alumna Emanuela Buoncore, her brother Giulio and their mother.
Emanuela was born in Milan and raised in Chur, Switzerland. She began work in the marketing industry, launching products and global campaigns for major brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, BOSS, Escada, Lacoste and Rochas.
When I asked her what makes her most proud of her career, in the blink of an eye she said: “Helping my mother at the age of 60 to fulfil her lifelong dream of opening her own bistro.” In fact, Da Mamma Bistro reflects Emanuela’s personal life story of success against the odds.
Having known Emanuela, I can tell you that her upbringing turned her into the achiever she is today. She was surrounded by the love of her mother and brother, but she also had her fair share of ups and downs: she lost her father at a very young age and with that, the financial difficulty of growing up with a single mother who earned minimum wage.
Students like Emanuela, who move to Geneva to attend the Graduate Institute while having the financial responsibility of covering their own costs of living and university fees, have a unique grit. When she arrived at the Institute, despite her difficulties, Emanuela fit in immediately, creating strong bonds with a community of people from similarly diverse backgrounds.
She is convinced that coming to Geneva to study at the Institute was the best decision of her life. It opened a whole new world for her, and maybe it was there where she realised that growth does not happen on its own; you need the support of a community that believes in your potential and helps unleash it.
Many years later, in 2013, it was her turn to give back.
With her brother Giulio, they decided to invest in the dream of their 60-year-old mother, who had no experience running a business but who had a clear vision: to recreate the atmosphere of a loving mother’s home.
Thus Da Mamma was born. It attracted immediate media attention due to its unique and inspirational message: it is never too late to start again. The focus of press interest rapidly switched to her creations, and in 2020 Da Mamma became one of the biggest producers of artisan panettone in Switzerland.
On 19 May 2021, Emanuela was invited onto the SAT1 television station to share her secret recipe for what has been described as the best panettone in the whole country.
Learn more about Da Mamma and their incredible Panettone.
Interview by Head of Alumni Relations & Professional Networks, Carine Leu Bonvin.