This periodic series of three images and responses to questions tells the stories of people of The Valley who love what they do. As Confucius once said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life.” This article features Charlie Menard, owner of Canteen Creemee in Waitsfield.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Vermont. I graduated from Colchester High School and then went on to attend culinary school here in Vermont as well. Staying local gave me a strong connection to the place and the people, which has ended up shaping a lot of what I do today.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I was always drawn to cooking. Even before I knew exactly what that meant as a career, I was fascinated by kitchens and the people who worked in them. Once I started getting real exposure, it became clear this was the path I wanted to follow. I was always drawn between being a chef or a national geographic photographer, which I knew one of them would be a much easier job to acquire.
What was your first job and how did you get it?
My first job was working as a dishwasher for a Danish chef. I got the job through a friend, which is honestly still how many of the most important jobs seem to happen. Watching that chef work was incredibly important to me – it confirmed that this was something I wanted to pursue seriously.
Who was the biggest influence in your decision to choose the work you now do?
Well of course there's family. I had very hard-working parents who were successful in their own ways. This definitely drove me. And still does, however. In this context. I can say that, early on, the chefs I worked for had a big impact on me – especially those first few. After the dishwasher job, I worked as a fish cutter for a group of French chefs. There were a lot of young culinary school interns there, and even though my role was repetitive, I was exposed to new techniques, new standards, and a much bigger world of learning than I’d realized existed.
What steps did you take to get where you are today / what sacrifices have you made?
My path was long and slow. I didn’t see myself as an owner for a long time, and honestly, I was happy running the ship for someone else. Looking back, I’m glad I took that time. Even after years of learning, I realized once I became an owner just how much more there still was to figure out. The biggest step was patience – letting myself grow into the role instead of rushing it.
What is the best job advice you’ve ever received?
I don’t think it was one single piece of advice. I believe you collect small bits of information every day from different people and experiences. One thing I do believe strongly is not writing off bad criticism. A lot of people say to ignore it and forget the "haters, and doubters" and move on, but I don’t agree. If you hold onto it and reflect on it, it can push you to do a better job.
What are you most grateful for in your life?
I’m incredibly grateful that I get to do my own thing. I created something unique and different, and it actually worked. That’s not something I take lightly. Also, I am so grateful for the people that I'm surrounded by every day, cool young people from all different walks of life that bring so much creativity and optimism to my life.
How do you give back?
I like to think that many of the young people who’ve worked for me will remember the experience in a positive way. Not every story is a success story, but there are far more successes than failures. I’ve made meaningful connections with a lot of people over the years, and I also own a small community space in the center of our town, which has become something I’m really proud of.
What do you do in your free time?
A lot of my free time goes into supporting our J-1 program. I want the students who come here to have a great experience – not just at work, but outside of it too. Helping them see and enjoy the things we take for granted every day has become really important to me.
Do you have a favorite quote that you live by?
“It’s better to regret something you have done than to regret something you haven’t.”
To suggest someone who “Loves What They Do…,” email
