Born in Brazil and raised in North
Carolina, Valerie Morris has called Memphis home for more than 18
years. She is currently the Regional Director of Communications and
Community Affairs for Harrah’s Entertainment. In this position she is
responsible for all internal communications, media relations, external
communications, community affairs, and charitable contributions and
donations for the Memphis Corporate Office, as well as the Grand,
Horseshoe and Sheraton Casinos in Tunica. She also owns and operates
Chef Valerie, LLC a company that caters, offers menu development for
major corporations, food styling, and special events. She is also the
author of Flavorful Wild Game and delectable desserts cookbook, released
2002.
Valerie holds a Bachelors degree in
Business Administration as well as a certificate from Le Cordon Bleu
l’Art Culinaire in Paris, France. In addition she also obtained the
certification of “Food Management Professional” (FMP) from the National
Restaurant Association Educational Foundation in 2000. Valerie received
certification and completed the Masters Class facilitated by Spaeth
Communications in 2004, as well as being a Graduate of Leadership
Mississippi in 2005.
She has won numerous awards and
citations for her culinary expertise – particularly desserts and wild
game. Valerie was also chosen to represent Tennessee at the James Beard
House in New York for the Taste of Tennessee 1996 bicentennial dinner
hosted by Governor Don Sundquist. In 1999 she was the first women named
“Chef of the Year” by the Greater Memphis Chapter of the American
Culinary Federation. In 2000 she was awarded the Millennium Chef
International Award of Excellence, given to America’s top 100 Chefs, by
the International Restaurant & Hospitality Bureau. The Tennessee
Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution recognized her as
the Memphis Chucallissa Chapter Outstanding Member for 2000. The
Memphis Business Journal 2001 named Valerie as one of the ”top 40 under
40” for her accomplishments in business and contributions to the
community. Elite Magazine named her in 2003 as one of the 30 most
beautiful people in Memphis for her outstanding philanthropic endeavors,
as did RSVP magazine in 2007.
Valerie is also well
known locally on television for her numerous interviews and cooking
segments. She also has had the distinct pleasure to commentate, emcee,
or host many special events. Valerie truly feels blessed to have had
the opportunity to travel all over the world, to more then 20 different
countries, which has helped to develop her insight into the community as
well as a diverse culinary style and sense of flavors. Her idea of
relaxing is entertaining with her husband Jeff, and she loves to travel!
