Write@Home
Winter 2015

Employment

Close-up view of female chef cooking on frying pan

Work experience in my country is difficult. Sometimes we need someone's reference to get a good job in an excellent company.

My experience in Canada was not so difficult, although sometimes I have had very difficult experiences. I realized that sometimes the same Hispanic people look at it less when one is newcomer, although not all are like that.

I had the opportunity that although I did not speak French, I could enter through my cousin's husband as an assistant chef at the Rivermead Golf Club. Because of my skills in my work, my bosses appreciated and valued me.

Now I work in the kitchen of the Residence of the Italian Embassy. My responsibilities are not only the kitchen, but I am also the housekeeper. I have to verify that everything is well ordered and clean and that everything works well. I work with another person at the time that I have to supervise.

I really enjoy my kitchen. In my events such as dinners and cocktails I like that the guests enjoy the different Italian foods from the different regions of Italy.

This job opened the doors for me to work in other Embassies. I had the opportunity to work with great French chefs at the French Embassy. It was an experience that helped me learn more techniques in my cooking skills.

The advice that I would give to emigrants is not to give up. Sometimes we have challenges throughout life and that language is necessary and if I have the opportunity to help I would gladly do it.

We have to have a productive life here in this country just as we have been in ours.