AFTER over 20 years as host of the popular Creative Cooking television show, Executive Chef Mazie Miller, known by Jamaicans everywhere as “Aunty Mazie”, has retired.

She will, however, continue to work with GraceKennedy on contract.

In a lively retirement party at the company’s Harbour Street head office earlier this month, company executives and team members paid glowing tributes to the woman who has been the face of Grace Foods for most of her nearly three-decade-long sojourn with GraceKennedy.

Group CEO Don Wehby, in remarks delivered on his behalf by Group Chief Communication Manager Simone Clarke-Cooper, said: “You showed the use and purpose of our products, but you also connected the public to our brand by showing them that we were a brand with a heart. You made Grace, as a brand, approachable, relatable. You, through your personality, conveyed to our customers and consumers that we care.”

While Miller’s work ethic was a common theme throughout the proceedings, so too was her reputation for being an entertainer, mainly through storytelling. Team members spoke fondly of the fact that she always had a story to tell, and jokingly shared that when it was story time, they had to “draw long bench” as it usually took a while.

When it came time for the woman of the moment to speak, she started, “Let me tell you a story…” and, true to form, she recounted her early days at GraceKennedy, tracing her journey from 1986 when she joined as a food and nutrition specialist, to her most recent role as consumer services manager. She had those in attendance in constant laughter the entire time.

She thanked the management team and her colleagues for their roles along her 29-year journey, and reminded everyone that she would still be around, as there was still more that she wanted to accomplish.

Miller’s children, Vivian, Samantha, Paul, and Paula were in attendance, and at points, were unable to hold back the tears during the glowing tributes to their mother.