Liliana R.

Liliana grew up in Bogotá, Colombia, where she learned to love and appreciate Colombian cuisine. As a little girl, she dreamed of becoming a civil engineer but soon decided to explore other opportunities. Back in Colombia, Liliana practiced nursing. When she moved to Chicago, she tried different jobs, including working at a shipping warehouse, then in demolition, and later in the meat section of a food market.

In 2022, Liliana joined the team at Eataly Chicago as a Prep Cook. Since her start, she has shown consistency and positivity, attributes that make her a valuable team member and an excellent fit for Eataly’s culture. One notable example is her proactive support of new team members. She often takes the initiative to train and mentor them, ensuring they feel welcomed and quickly adapt to Eataly’s standards.

Liliana’s team members appreciate her approachable and professional demeanor as well as her readiness to assist during challenging situations. In addition to her technical skills, she is highly regarded by peers for her positive attitude, reliability, and willingness to support others.

What’s your favorite part of working at Eataly?
“I like working with people who know how to teach me how to do things. It’s my way of adapting to change and learning. I also really like it when I get the opportunity to taste the dishes and enjoy them with my team from time to time. The food part is always the best.”

What have you learned during your time at Eataly?
“More than anything, I’ve learned to respect all team members, especially those with more experience than I. I’ve also learned that patience is essential, particularly when teaching other team members.”

Who inspires you?
“My parents, especially my dad. He has always been an incredibly hardworking person. He used to work as a concierge. After he was done there, he would go work on the boat under the sun, and we would go help him. My mother was an accountant, and she has always been very motivated. She always takes it upon herself to learn new things and become better.”

What do you enjoy doing outside of Eataly?
“I really enjoy going to the beach, the park, and the lake. Sometimes just walking for long periods of time is fun or driving around with the windows down. I like going out for coffee with my friends or family as well as doing movie marathons at home.”