Cecilia Parks is a familiar face at the Market on the Mountain. She has worked in the food industry for most of her life. Cecilia grew up in a family of six children raised by parents Amelia and Jim Munson, whose family owned The Persian Rug Company.
Cecilia babysat throughout high school, taking her first real job at Memorial Hospital as a tray service aid in the cafeteria. After college, she worked for the public health environmental services as a restaurant inspector for eight and a half years. During that time, she taught “food handlers” how to prepare and serve food safely. Cecilia also worked as a catering coordinator before going to work with Electrolux as a senior home economist to overview the testing kitchen; she served as an engineer in the research and development department. For example, she tested microwaves to determine how long it took to defrost meats without cooking them. She also developed algorithms for different appliances, as well as products and prototypes for consumer use. When she talks about this job, it is clear how much she loved researching and figuring things out. In 2004, she decided to semi-retire, staying on with Electrolux as a consultant.
In 2011, she came back to Chattanooga from Nashville to take care of her ailing mother. When her mother passed away, Cecilia asked her neighbor Allison Wright, who worked at the Market on the Mountain, about job options because she wanted to keep busy. She says that when she entered the market and looked around, she said, “Man, I am in my element.” Hired to cook and do a little bit of everything, Cecilia worked with Rhetta Yates, who was the kitchen manager. When Rhetta left, Cecilia took over her position.
In 2019, the market relocated to its current location, closing for three months. When it opened up, Cecilia was there to do whatever needed to be done. Bookkeeping, ordering, cooking, payroll … you name it she does it. During the pandemic, when so many businesses closed, the market’s doors remained open despite many challenges. Cecilia’s husband, Eddie, and her family supported her and even jumped in to help at the market; Eddie has been seen doing inventory.
Reminiscing about her career, or careers, plural, Cecilia says that all her prior jobs have helped her navigate her role at the market. Almost all of them have been food oriented, which makes sense. “I come from a family of cooks, and I decided that I wanted to be a dietician. But life led me in a slightly different direction, and I wouldn’t change a thing,” Cecilia says.
Cecilia embodies all that we could wish for in ourselves. This mother of three is a hard-working woman. She could retire but wants to continue giving back where she is needed.
At the market, Cecilia encourages her staff to “focus on the problem, not the person.” She believes if we could do that, the world would be a better place. Amen.
by Gwin Tugman
Cecilia babysat throughout high school, taking her first real job at Memorial Hospital as a tray service aid in the cafeteria. After college, she worked for the public health environmental services as a restaurant inspector for eight and a half years. During that time, she taught “food handlers” how to prepare and serve food safely. Cecilia also worked as a catering coordinator before going to work with Electrolux as a senior home economist to overview the testing kitchen; she served as an engineer in the research and development department. For example, she tested microwaves to determine how long it took to defrost meats without cooking them. She also developed algorithms for different appliances, as well as products and prototypes for consumer use. When she talks about this job, it is clear how much she loved researching and figuring things out. In 2004, she decided to semi-retire, staying on with Electrolux as a consultant.
In 2011, she came back to Chattanooga from Nashville to take care of her ailing mother. When her mother passed away, Cecilia asked her neighbor Allison Wright, who worked at the Market on the Mountain, about job options because she wanted to keep busy. She says that when she entered the market and looked around, she said, “Man, I am in my element.” Hired to cook and do a little bit of everything, Cecilia worked with Rhetta Yates, who was the kitchen manager. When Rhetta left, Cecilia took over her position.
In 2019, the market relocated to its current location, closing for three months. When it opened up, Cecilia was there to do whatever needed to be done. Bookkeeping, ordering, cooking, payroll … you name it she does it. During the pandemic, when so many businesses closed, the market’s doors remained open despite many challenges. Cecilia’s husband, Eddie, and her family supported her and even jumped in to help at the market; Eddie has been seen doing inventory.
Reminiscing about her career, or careers, plural, Cecilia says that all her prior jobs have helped her navigate her role at the market. Almost all of them have been food oriented, which makes sense. “I come from a family of cooks, and I decided that I wanted to be a dietician. But life led me in a slightly different direction, and I wouldn’t change a thing,” Cecilia says.
Cecilia embodies all that we could wish for in ourselves. This mother of three is a hard-working woman. She could retire but wants to continue giving back where she is needed.
At the market, Cecilia encourages her staff to “focus on the problem, not the person.” She believes if we could do that, the world would be a better place. Amen.
by Gwin Tugman
RSS Feed