Christina Bodanza
Christina Bodanza, CEC, CDM, CDP, PCII, CFPP, is a highly accomplished culinary and healthcare food service professional with over 20 years of experience. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Christina began her career in restaurants and casinos, where she honed her skills in food preparation, management, and hospitality. In 2006, she transitioned into healthcare food service, bringing her passion for culinary excellence and team leadership to hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and senior living communities. Today, she serves as the Director of Food & Nutrition Services at Millennial Healthcare Services LLC, where she combines her culinary expertise with a dedication to patient- and resident-centered care.
Throughout her career, Christina has been recognized for her commitment to servant leadership and professional development. She mentors and coaches her teams, helping them grow from cooks into supervisory roles or pursue further culinary education. As a certified executive chef, certified dietary manager, and certified dementia practitioner, Christina specializes in healthcare food service management, dementia care nutrition, culinary education, and patient engagement. Her hands-on approach ensures that her teams are not only skilled but also empowered to create meaningful experiences for every resident and patient they serve.
Christina’s influence extends beyond the kitchen. She is an active member of the American Culinary Federation, the Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals, and the National Association of Certified Dementia Practitioners. Her work has earned her numerous awards, including recognition as Regional Executive Chef of the Year and Chef Professional of the Year. Beyond accolades, Christina’s true passion lies in connecting with her team and the people they serve—transforming meals into moments of care, joy, and nourishment, while fostering growth and opportunity within her teams.
• Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Food Protection Professional (CDM-CFPP)
• ACF Certified Executive Chef® (CEC®)
• ProChef® Mentor
• Certified Dementia Practitioner
• PCII
• The Culinary Institute of America - A.A.S.
• Regional Executive Chef of the Year
• Chef Professional of the Year
• Regional Account of the Year
• Rookie of the Year Award
• Shining Star Award
• American Association Nutrition and Food Services
• Alzheimer's Association, Grand Rapids Chapter
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to over 20 years of experience in Healthcare and Food & Nutrition, starting with my training at the Culinary Institute of America under Anthony Bourdain. Being one of fewer than 25% women in my class taught me resilience and excellence, which helped me earn recognition such as an award at the Taste of Tavares for my walking wonton appetizer.
My passion for helping others has also been key—I’ve seen the value in embracing diverse talent, including hiring an employee on the autism spectrum who became one of my strongest team members. My success comes from combining expertise, dedication, and a commitment to making a positive impact.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that it’s possible to have a career you love while making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to embrace the opportunities available and believe in their potential. Women are increasingly thriving and achieving great success in this field, and with confidence, perseverance, and passion, there’s no limit to what they can accomplish.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in my field right now is balancing my professional responsibilities with my passion projects. For example, I’ve dedicated time to fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Association, raising over $5,000 in the past, while managing a busy career. On top of that, I’ve recently taken up writing and am excited to release my first romance novel in a few months. Finding ways to integrate my career with meaningful personal pursuits is both a challenge and a rewarding opportunity.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both work and life are hard work, integrity, and making a meaningful impact on others. I take great pride in mentoring and coaching my employees, helping them grow and exceed expectations, and finding fulfillment in seeing them thrive and succeed.