Sonia Messina- Head Chef
A Life That Began in the Kitchen
When Sonia is asked how she found her way into hospitality, she smiles. For her, it was never really a choice - it was simply life.
“I was pretty much born into this world,” she laughs. “I come from a family of chefs - my uncles are chefs too. I grew up in my dad’s restaurant in Italy. That was my playground.” Surrounded by food, family and tradition, becoming a chef felt natural. The kitchen wasn’t just where Sonia worked - it was where she belonged.
Around 20 years ago, Sonia made her first major leap into the unknown, leaving Italy to begin a new life in Australia. “Moving to Australia was a big new beginning - a new country, new language, new life,” she reflects. “But becoming a chef again felt natural. That’s who I am.”
For the next three decades, Sonia built a strong career across restaurants and hospitality. Then, almost five years ago, she chose another new beginning, stepping into the FIFO (Fly-In, Fly-Out) world and joining Sodexo. With her son grown and independent, Sonia felt ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities of village life.
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“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.”
