Sonia Messina- Head Chef
“The environment and menus were different,” she explains, “but as chefs, we have the skills. You learn, you adapt, and you make it work.”
When Sonia stepped into the Head Chef role at Brockman 4, she brought with her a strong sense of purpose - focused on consistency, teamwork, and pride in what the kitchen delivers every single day. “That shapes how I lead,” she says. “It’s about supporting the team, staying solution-focused, and always looking for ways to improve.”
Today, Brockman 4 Village is known for its welcoming food culture, engaged kitchen team, and positive resident experience - outcomes driven by Sonia’s resilience, leadership, and belief in doing things well, together.
Food That Connects
When Sonia talks about impact, she doesn’t talk about numbers - she talks about people. “In a village, food goes straight to people’s hearts,” she says.
For Sonia and her team, every service is an opportunity to create a positive experience. When food looks good, tastes good, and is genuinely enjoyed, it creates moments of appreciation, connection, and comfort, especially at the end of a long day.
Behind every service is a strong commitment to care and consistency.
“We focus on having the right tools, the right equipment, and the right techniques,” Sonia explains. “We put thought and care into every dish and every tray. It’s about anticipating the needs of our residents, thinking ahead, building trust, and making people feel looked after.”
Creating New Beginnings for Others
Ask Sonia what matters most in her kitchen and her answer is immediate: teamwork.
“In the kitchen, you can’t work alone,” she says. “Teamwork comes first, sometimes even before skills. Skills can be taught. But working as a team? That’s essential. I want everyone to feel included and part of the team.”
Her leadership approach is grounded in training, clarity and presence.
“I make sure my team has the right training, so they feel confident. I’m clear about expectations, so there’s no confusion. And I stay present, especially when someone needs support, I’m there.”
For Sonia, leadership is about opening doors, using her own experience to help others grow, learn, and find confidence in their own new beginnings.
A Life of Starting Again
For someone who has moved countries, learned a new language, changed industries and taken on leadership in a remote environment, New Beginnings is more than a campaign - it’s a way of life.
“I’ve had many new beginnings,” Sonia reflects. “A new country, a new language, a new career path. Even though it’s still hospitality, FIFO is very different. These last five years have changed how I see food and the industry. I absolutely consider this a new beginning.”
The journey hasn’t always been easy, but it’s always been worth it.
“If you work hard, you can make things happen,” Sonia says. “Nothing is impossible. It takes energy, time, and patience. But slowly, everything comes together.”
“It’s very exciting and very satisfying when you look around and see the team behind you, supporting you step by step. Seeing how communication with residents has grown, that means everything.”
When asked to sum up her Sodexo journey in one phrase, Sonia doesn’t hesitate.
“It has been an amazing journey,” she says. “No matter the challenges, I always feel supported by our village managers, leaders and most of all my team. Our Village Manager at Brockman 4 is doing an amazing job and supports the kitchen and team so much. I always recommend Sodexo to everyone.”
