Valerie James is a 30-year restaurateur of Val’s Restaurant in Holden, Massachusetts. She is most recently the star of the award-winning documentary, A Fine Line, which explores why less than 7% of head chefs and restaurant owners are women. Val was raised in the restaurant industry and was determined to rise the ranks doing what she loved. She went from a small storefront pizzeria to a full-fledged restaurant and function facility seating 200 that employs up to 70 people. Val’s love of hospitality and community has brought her great joy in what she does. Her son Christos James is the chef de cuisine at Val’s, and daughter Joanna James made the film A Fine Line. Val is the proud grandmother of 3 little girls.