Listener, Teacher and Coach

A Cook from a Young Age

I adore cooking. It’s a passion of mine. Since I was 14 years old, I wanted to pursue a career in the culinary arts. In those days, women weren’t commonly chefs, so I oriented myself toward nutritional studies and teaching, another passion of mine.

It’s been an incredible career journey. Prior to joining Sodexo, I worked at a school canteen, where I planned the menus and taught nutrition. I tried to make it fun and interactive. We visited gardens before growing our own, and went behind-the-scenes at a bakery to learn how to make baguettes. From there, I became a product manager for a large food brand, creating and selling gluten-free products, before teaching nutrition and cooking at a university. 

Relationships That Last a Lifetime

My first job with Sodexo was as a Nutrition Manager, overseeing 50 communities for seniors and people with disabilities. A couple roles and 28 years later, I’ve come full circle. Many of the same residents whom I first met as young adults with disabilities have grown up and live in one of the 150 sites I oversee today as Clinical Dietitian and Nutrition Manager in Nantes, France.

I enjoy spending time with residents, being a good listener, and bringing joy into their lives. I believe mealtimes should be a moment of pleasure in their day. I encourage them to discover new tastes and tell them, “Eat a little bit of everything. Enjoy and savor your meal.”

These communities become our communities. My colleagues and I are not just passing through—we have a tangible impact on residents’ lives. In turn, they’ve taught us so much about inclusion and what it means to be human.
 
I also get to know residents’ families. I explain my role and how we feed and take care of their family members. They are often happy and relieved. 

Listener, Teacher and Coach

Three days a week, I visit one of the 150 communities I oversee, where I cook alongside the team in the morning and serve lunch and chat with residents in the afternoons. I ask them, “Did you enjoy the meal? What can we improve?” Then I meet with clients later in the day. In the end, I coach our on-site team on cooking quality and presentation, and share consumer and client feedback. There’s a wonderful team spirit.

The other two days I work with a multidisciplinary team of caregivers, nurses, doctors, educators, psychologists, and consumers. I aim to understand nutritional needs and wants, and ultimately create menus that support the physical and mental wellbeing of our residents. 

I love what I do. It’s enormously fulfilling and just as motivating as when I started my career. It brings me joy and a smile to my face because I know I’m helping others.

Find out more about a career with Sodexo

This article was created by Christine Beauvillain, Clinical Dietitian and Nutrition Manager, Sodexo France