Meet Valarie Smith – Food Preparation Employee in Hospitality Services

Name: Valarie Smith

Position: Food Preparation Employee in Hospitality Services

How long have you worked at McMaster? I started this position full time in 2020. I have been at McMaster since 2001. I started as a casual staff member until 2006 when I became a permanent part-time employee.

Tell us a little bit about yourself: I’m a mom and grandmother who loves to laugh with my family at our summer BBQs and bake with my grandkids, with a little attitude.

In 3 sentences or less, describe your job and the best part of your job? I prep for Tazij at the La Piazza building making all the salads for this station. The best part of my job is giving the students the freshest, top quality salads that they deserve. I know it’s going well because they keep coming back.

What is your favourite thing to do when you’re not at work? I love traveling with my family and making amazing memories, from camping in the woods to relaxing on a beach in Hawaii.

Name someone you work with that you admire and why. I admire John, the manager of La Piazza. He pulls out the best in my work and is a joy to work with.

The Division of Operations and Finance has identified the core values that run through all of our work: curiosity, accountability, quality, empathy, teamwork, inclusiveness, and integrity. Please tell us which value means the most to you and why, and any work you are doing that embodies or speaks to the value. Quality because the students at McMaster deserve to have food that is top quality and has them coming back for more. Tazij is proof of that.

What is a piece of advice you would give to someone embarking on their career at McMaster University? Take the time to listen and learn from those who have been in the position for many years because you’ll never go wrong.