Deqa M.

Deqa grew up in Toronto in an East African family. After studying both social work and business during college in England, she worked in hospitality and retail for over a decade.

In 2024, Deqa joined the team at Eataly Toronto Yorkville as a Quick Service Sales Associate, beginning at our La Pizza alla Pala station. Her eagerness to learn and ambition to excel quickly enabled her to also master the sales operations at our caffes and dessert counters.

Bringing positive energy every day, Deqa’s calm demeanor and sociable nature have made her a beloved member of the Eataly Toronto Yorkville team. Deqa is remarkably considerate and has an incredible sense of empathy. She takes personal orders for the elderly and those that require assistance walking, consistently using her judgment and consideration to cater to guests and team members alike. As a team member, she also never forgets to acknowledge team milestones and celebrates the achievements of others.

What is your favorite memory from your time at Eataly so far?
“I know it sounds like an odd answer, but I loved this past Christmas! It was my first time working on Christmas Day and the environment was so busy. To see us working together as a team and how we were managing everything was crazy, but it was wonderful. It was amazing, and I really enjoyed it – I can’t wait for next Christmas!”

What is your favorite part of your role?
“I’d say providing the best guest experience is my favorite, and that’s actually what made me apply. I’d had a great experience here as a customer myself shopping in the store, and I love doing it from the other side.”

What have you learned since joining Eataly?
“I’ve learned so much. I was already familiar with customer service, but I’ve learned about catering to each guest in a unique way. Being at each different QSR counter made me realize that even though I’m providing general customer service, I’m now tailoring the service to the counter and to the product. By doing this, I get to learn a lot about the culture and history behind each product, too.”

What do you enjoy doing outside of Eataly?
“I watch a lot of movies and go to a lot of amusement parks with my child and family, which lets me feel like a kid again too. I am also a life learner and enjoy reading.”

Here is Deqa in action!