Driven by passion for food and eagerness to help others, Michelle Straka has distinguished herself for more than 25 years in the culinary and hospitality industries. She has held her current positions as general manager and chef manager at SodexoMAGIC since 2018. Ms. Straka oversees a dedicated team of five people, orchestrating the preparation and distribution of meals for approximately 200 individuals daily at the Federal Reserve in Miami. Her leadership is marked by a commitment to culinary excellence that she shares with her team members, colleagues, and consumers.
Previously, Ms. Straka was a chef manager at Aramark and a team member at Whole Foods Market for several years each. She utilized these opportunities to hone her expertise in catering, fine dining, customer service, and retail operations, while ensuring the highest standards of food quality and service. Earlier in her career, Ms. Straka worked with Fine Host beginning in 1999. Among her noteworthy accomplishments during this period, she collaborated with Pillsbury to co-create a manual that simplified baking processes for professional kitchens.
Ms. Straka’s professional journey is supported by a strong education. She obtained an associate degree in general studies from Eastern Florida State College (formerly Brevard Community College) in 1992. Subsequently, she earned a second associate degree in culinary arts from Southeastern Community College in 1997. Her academic achievements are complemented by her credentials as a chef de cuisine, a certification she achieved in 1997 through the American Culinary Federation, which reflects her advanced knowledge and commitment to maintaining industry standards.
To further ensure that she remains aware of developments affecting the field, Ms. Straka has maintained her professional affiliation with several industry-related organizations. She is a past member of the American Culinary Federation and has participated in Sodexo Toastmasters by Frances Nam through Toastmasters International. Ms. Straka also served as the president of Sodexo Toastmasters for two years, donating her time to support others in developing their communication skills. Her involvement with these groups has provided opportunities for professional development and networking within the culinary community.
In parallel to her professional pursuits, Ms. Straka has demonstrated a commitment to personal growth and athletic achievement. She held the titles of certified referee and instructor as well as second-degree tae kwon do black belt from 1986 to 2001. Ms. Straka competed as an amateur boxer for over five years beginning in 2004. Her athletic accomplishments include winning the Golden Gloves Champion title for the over-40 weight class in boxing in 2010 and winning a Women’s Classic Bodybuilding competition in 2011. She has inspired others with her unique life story, co-authoring “Allow Your Vision to Soar,” an inspirational book that includes stories from 11 visionary women across different industries.
Outside of her career, Ms. Straka enjoys time with her family, walking through parks, relaxing, and cooking. As she moves forward, she plans to rejoin the American Culinary Federation and become more involved in culinary education, with the goal of mentoring the next generation of professionals in her field. Through these endeavors, she hopes to see the passion for food that has defined her journey carried forward into the future.