Checking in with the Locals: Randi Laudisio

Photo credit: John Robinson

Randi Laudisio

From educational travel expert to cupcake extraordinaire, this local lady is a sugar and spice and everything nice. When Randi isn’t frosting cupcakes, she and her hubby, a.k.a. Johnny Cheeseburger, enjoy a bite out (a.k.a. stealing food off each other’s plates), and, of course, spending time with their pup, Sampson. Check out her top local picks!

Describe what you do in town.

Monday thru Friday I work as a Director of Account Management for WorldStrides Capstone programs. We specialize in planning short term educational travel for university students around the world.

In the rest of my time, I bake cupcakes and other sweet treats for my home business, Randi Cakes. On most weekends, you can find me covered in powdered sugar hovered over my stand mixer!

Describe yourself in 5 syllables or less.

Little Boss

A favorite dish in town.

I was born to eat Italian food. Luckily, Tavola serves it up right with their Pappardelle Bolognese. It’s the perfect comfort food paired with a glass (or bottle) of any red wine and stolen bites from my husband, Johnny Cheeseburger’s plate of Linguine Carbonara.

I also can’t forget the “peanut butter and friends” cookie from Paradox Pastry. This is one of my favorite afternoon pick me ups!

A favorite drink in town.

The Little J Margarita from Mono Loco! This drink is the best all year round, but especially on a humid night in the middle of August. The blood orange and blueberry puree not only make this drink one of the most attractive in town, but also the most delicious. Two of these paired with a giant plate of pork nachos and I know it will be a good night!

A favorite local shopping destination.

I love shopping for gifts and cards at O’Suzannah on the downtown mall. They have the cutest clothes and toys for babies or books and other trinkets for adults. I can always find a great gift there and usually a little something for myself as well!

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Charlottesville is a city filled with local-loving people, and a spirit of community and collaboration unlike anywhere else. Every week, Cville Niche celebrates that spirit by featuring a local’s top picks.

Check out previous local check-ins!

Tagged: belmonst charlottesville, Charlottesville Downtown, charlottesville downtown mall, johnny cheeseburger, little j margarita, mono loco, o'suzzanah, papparadelle bolognese, paradox pastry, randi cakes, randi cakes charlottesville, tavola, tavola charlottesville, worldstrides, worldstrides charlottesville

Posted in: Checking in with the Locals, community