We are thrilled to introduce Valerie Harding, our new Director of Food Services for Let’s Dish! Mid-Atlantic. Valerie joined the food team in February. She is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and has had extensive culinary and food marketing experience having worked for several of the large hotels in and around the Washington, DC area including the Hyatt Hotels as well as the Wyndham Hotel. Since 1995, Valerie has been working for Sodexho holding various different titles including the Director of Catering for the Washington Post and the Library of Congress under Sodexho a contract management company. A working mom (her son, Maxwell, is one and a half), Valerie is a welcome addition to the food team.

Lisa sat down with Valerie and asked her some very pointed questions so that you too can get to know her like we do.

Q & A with Valerie:

When and why did you decide to go to the Culinary Institute of America?

I was always in the kitchen with my mom creating exquisite meals. I had no idea there was a place I could go for formal training that would teach me more than my mom could. I found out about the CIA in the early 80’s and began my quest to gain acceptance.

Who is your current favorite chef?

I love Paula Dean because she is not afraid of butter! As long as we eat the recommended portion sizes and stick to a healthy eating style, butter is all good. Nigela Lawson is another favorite, she keeps things real. I like knowing that she feeds her children the foods she is making.

What is your favorite Lets Dish! Meal?

It’s too hard to pick just one……..so I won’t! Chicken Casablanca is yummy and a fun meal for my family. Thai Style Shrimp and Noodles are always a hit. And I have to mention the Flank Steak no matter how Lets Dish! prepares it, it’s a definite favorite!

What do you hope to bring to the Let’s Dish! menu in the future?

I will continue to bring the exceptional quality of food to Let’s Dish!. I am constantly researching new trends in food. As a busy mom with a toddler, kid friendly meals are a priority as well.

Do you have a philosophy on expanding your son’s palette, being so young?

I feed Maxwell what I make my husband and me for dinner. He eats what we do. We also take him to restaurants with us so that he has the experience of trying different foods. It’s nice to know that your 1 ½ year old enjoys foi gras, grilled salmon and lamb chops.

What is your idea of a great meal?

A Let’s Dish! meal of course. Eating Let’s Dish! most nights during the week has changed my life. My husband usually gets home before me and will prepare the meal. The cooking directions are so user friendly it makes preparing the meal stress free.

Visit Valerie’s profile page to learn more about our new chef and stay tuned for for her culinary inspiration on Food for Thought, a Let’s Dish! blog, this month and beyond. Please join us in welcoming Valerie to the Let’s Dish! team. And, look for her tasty creations on the Let’s Dish! menu in the future!