In addition to her role as a chef-instructor, Valeria Molinelli manages JWU's Special Functions Club. She has represented JWU during food shows for Aregala, a chef’s organization in South America, in Argentina and Peru. In addition, she works as private sous chef for University President John Bowen. Born in Lima, Peru, and fluent in both Spanish and English, Molinelli trained in kitchens in Southeast Asia and Europe, including the Ashford Castle Hotel in Ireland and the Swissôtel in Peru. She has designed curricula for the Annual Chef's Culinary Conference at the University of Massachusetts since 2003, and has organized food seminars for Restaurant News, Fishery Products International and Hormel Foods.
Molinelli is the 2011 recipient of the Dean’s Award for Professional Achievement.