Meet Executive Chef Celia Garcia Gomez, a rising star at Morrison Healthcare. After earning degrees in culinary arts and food service management, Celia joined Morrison as a Sous Chef. Her dedication and leadership were quickly recognized, and in 2021, she was promoted to Executive Sous Chef. By 2024, Celia reached a new milestone in her career, becoming the Executive Chef at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, VA.
We sat down with Celia to learn more about how her heritage has influenced her journey to becoming an Executive Chef.
—
Q: Can you share a bit about your heritage and how it has influenced your culinary journey?
Celia: “I am a first-generation American born into a Salvadoran household. My roots stem from hardworking and persevering parents that came to America for the ‘American Dream.’
However, El Salvador has many delicious dishes that deserve the recognition which influences my cooking. I love the spices, the aromatics, and the flavors that El Salvador has to give. Also, the rustic way of cooking, in El Salvador it is very common to see an open fire to cook basically anything, and the way to control the heat it is be adding or taking away ‘leña’ wood.”
Q: How has your background shaped your leadership style?
Celia: “My background shapes the way I lead first, with the empathy I can give to all that I work with. I can understand when learning a new skill or working along a fellow coworker that doesn’t speak the same language requires more commitment. I use my skill of speaking Spanish to better guide and mentor those who don’t fully understand English.
By providing the empathy and compassion to understand that my parents too were the hard workers that I see in my present career.”
Q: What does celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you, both personally and professionally?
Celia: “Personally, this month means that we’re getting the spotlight to show off the beauty of our music, our food, and our culture and all those influences. Professionally to me it means that I can educate others on what it is to be Hispanic and the culture.”
Celia had the honor of participating in the 2024 Compass One Women in Culinary showcase, a prestigious annual event recognizing the top female chefs within the company. The two-day program brings together Compass leaders, chef innovators, and suppliers, and provides training seminars and a team culinary challenge, all aimed at fostering the development of future female leaders.
Reflecting on the experience, Celia shared, “The showcase helped me understand the importance Compass One and Morrison place on promoting and empowering women in our organizations. It was exciting to meet so many women advancing their careers within the company and to see a bright future ahead.”
—
Celia Garcia Gomez’s journey to becoming an Executive Chef is a testament to her dedication, resilience, and passion for culinary arts. Her leadership is rooted in empathy and a deep connection to her heritage, which continues to shape her work and her approach to guiding her team. As she continues to break barriers and inspire others, Celia exemplifies the importance of celebrating cultural diversity and empowering women in the culinary field.
