After I left school, I worked as a cook and cleaner in the healthcare sector, but I was always drawn more to the catering side. So, I moved to work for an events and conferences company in a catering role. Following my maternity leave, I started working in a company restaurant, where I oversaw the creation of 200 meals a day, and this is how I ended up working for Sodexo.
The secret to a successful culinary career is passion
I joined Sodexo as a chef and was later given the opportunity to try out for and become head chef. My current role of head chef is endlessly stimulating. I’m now responsible, together with my fantastic team, for the creation of 600 meals each day. Although it’s somewhat of a chaotic place, I really enjoy working here because it’s always a challenge.
If you are not willing to work hard every day it would be impossible to manage the number of meals. When you work at a company restaurant it’s not like working for a fine dining restaurant. You cook for the same people each day and if someone has a complaint, you’ll know about it straight away.
I like to experiment and shake things up. At the end of the day I always ask myself the question, ‘would I eat this?’. The answer must always be yes.
We are slowly recovering from the problems caused by Covid at the restaurant and are back up to serving 450 meals a day, we were down to 50 at the quietest time.
Find out what I love most about my job, the secret to a successful culinary career and my signature dish in this video:
Gender balance in the kitchen
If you are just starting your culinary career, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, believe in what you’re doing and don't be intimidated. Always maintaining a positive attitude has helped me to personally succeed in this male-dominated environment.
In my experience there are very few women working in this field, and they often only work as pastry chefs. When I worked in a team of 35 people, only 2 were women and those women were responsible for pastry because, according to everyone, their hands were smaller and therefore better suited to more meticulous and delicate work. It’s just not true. Men and women have equal skillsets when it comes to cooking so it’s important for women to be considered equally for chef roles.
I enjoy my role, cooking and taking care of others are the activities I enjoy best in life. I'm a mum and, like all mums, I'm always in a hurry. However, what little free time I have is left for my three-and-a-half-year-old daughter.
Find out more about a career at Sodexo! Sodexo Italy
This article was created by Pamela Ceruti, head chef, Sodexo Italy