Biography
Maya Vincelli is the Assistant Director of Retail Operations for Dining Services at University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia. She oversee three cafes and two stores, and is currently working on a new wellness cafe opening in fall 2020. Maya began cooking at an early age with her mother and grandmother, celebrating their homegrown produce and southern roots. At the age of 14, she got her first food service job baking at a local café, and never looked back. To date, Maya has had over two dozen food service jobs ranging from making ice cream and roasting coffee to working in fine dining and with exotic seafood. She has always enjoyed the camaraderie, pace, and excitement of a kitchen, whether at home or at work. Maya doesn't believe in the tropes of a screaming chef, slamming pans and throwing out food. Her belief is that Chefs have the unique ability to not only shape a menu, but cultivate the culture of the kitchen. She strives to provide people-first policies, as well as inclusive and respectful kitchens where people with all backgrounds and abilities have the opportunity to be creative and continue their culinary journey.