Vincenza, Margherita and their brothers, Italo and Vincenzo Jr., practically grew up in the family’s best-known store, Zino Pizza, which thrived for more than 30 years in Newark, Delaware. “They started opening pizzeria after pizzeria in malls around Philadelphia and the tristate area. “Around 1974, they took the business to the next level,” Vincenza recalls.

and his two brothers jumped on board a couple of years later. His wife, Enza, soon joined him in the business, and Vincenzo Sr. Italo Carrieri-Russo, grandfather to Vincenza and Margherita, opened his first pizzeria in Long Island in 1961. Pizza fans across the East Coast have known the Carrieri-Russo name for more than half a century. The chic ambience is equal to any New York or Los Angeles hotspot.” “You could describe V&M as a trendy yet relaxed dining experience with custom cocktails and New York-style atmosphere.

Still, Vincenza and Margherita run the show now, and they’re succeeding at a level many restaurateurs-and small business owners in general-can only dream of. He taught us how to be women in business, how to be business owners and be good at it and to be efficient.” “He has shown us the way and guided us through it all because of his knowledge of the business…He didn’t teach us how to be pizza girls. “Our father is our mentor, our confidante,” Vincenza says.

In fact, they’d rather talk about their dad, longtime pizzaiolo Vincenzo Carrieri-Russo Sr., than themselves. But behind much of Vincenza and Margherita’s success is a man, and they’re the first to say so. Women-owned restaurants certainly aren’t easy to find-sister-owned pizzerias are rarer still. How they find time to run V&M Bistro in Wilmington, Delaware, is anyone’s guess, but judging by the statewide accolades and awards they’ve received since opening the Italian-American restaurant in 2014, this is one sister act that can outperform the men on any culinary stage. Amazingly, they chose all of the above-without ever leaving the restaurant business. Vincenza and Margherita Carrieri-Russo grew up in a third-generation pizza family, but the multitalented sisters could have pursued any career, from dancing, acting and modeling to master sommelier or running a nonprofit.

Margherita di bari girls with muscle