Meet Randal Patriquin – Chef Manger in Hospitality Services
Name: Randal Patriquin
Position: Chef Manger, Hospitality Services
How long have you worked at McMaster? I have been at my current position for 6 years and with McMaster for 16 years.
Tell us a little bit about yourself: My passion for food and cooking began at a very young age cooking with my Grandmother. I have been cooking professionally for a long time and still really enjoy creating good food and watching people enjoy eating it.
In 3 sentences or less, describe your job and the best part of your job? I collaborate with a team of managers and employees to deliver exceptional food and service, enriching the experience of both the Student and McMaster community ,all while upholding fiscal responsibility. The most rewarding aspect of my job arises when our employees propose ideas to enhance their workstations and food quality and collaborate with
with managers to implement these ideas. The enthusiasm ,pride of ownership, and excitement created during the process is incredibly fulfilling.
What is your favourite thing to do when you’re not at work? I have a large saltwater aquarium that houses fish and coral. I enjoy the continuous learning the hobby requires while mimicking the ocean water and caring for these beautiful animals.
Name something you’ve been involved in at McMaster that you are particularly proud of. I helped develop SMPL, which is a food station at Centro in the Commons building that offers great healthy food choices for the McMaster Community that is void the top ten food allergens in Canada. The procedures and protocols that needed to be created and strictly followed to ensure the safety of our community members with food allergies were extensive.
The station popularity has grown over the years to become one of the most visited stations daily.
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.
Teamwork is the most important core value in our profession. With the responsibility of feeding thousands of individuals each day, every member of the team must work together and help each other. I am also part of the Hospitality Strategic Team, comprising six managers who work together to implement the Department’s strategic plan for the upcoming five years.
What is a piece of advice you would give to someone embarking on their career at McMaster University?
I would advise them to continually seek out opportunities to learn at McMaster. There are many avenues that provide free or discounted learning for employees.