Daughter of the famous chef Leonor Espinosa, sommelier Laura Hernández Espinosa combines gastronomy and sustainable development in Colombia. She manages “La Sala de Laura” and the FunLeo foundation to support local communities.
Laura Hernández Espinosa is the daughter of the renowned chef Leonor Espinoza. Together, the two women lead “Leo”, a restaurant in Bogotá ranked 47th in the 50 Best list. With a marked interest in food and wine from an early age - her first encounter with alcohol occurred at 11 years old, when she secretly tasted Champagne under the table at her aunt's wedding.
Despite being the daughter of one of the most important chefs in the global gastronomic scene, Espinosa initially chose a different career from restaurant management. She graduated in political science and embarked on diplomatic missions.
Laura moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for university, where she attended a sommelier course at the EAS wine school for pleasure. After obtaining her sommelier qualification in 2006 and after a diplomatic period in India and France, she realized diplomacy was not for her and decided to pursue an alternative path. "Gastronomy has always been a part of my life, and the world of wine and development are puzzles that have come together," says the sommelier.
As the executive director of FunLeo, a foundation dedicated to sustainable development through food across Colombia, particularly in indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, Hernández travels extensively across Colombia. "I go to festivals and visit communities: I am always looking for new projects."
Laura also manages “La Sala de Laura” in Bogotá, reopened in 2021 with a new bar. The venue, taking a more à la carte approach compared to “Leo”, now also focuses on a project for creating a range of spirits titled Territorio, all inspired by the ecosystems of Colombia.
