NYC Schools Eric Goldstein Divulges his love of Bread and Hatred of Fried Food

Confessions of Eric Goldstein

Eric Goldstein wishes he could sing, loves really good bread and hates office politics.

Eric Goldstein, NYC Department of Education

Eric Goldstein, chief executive of The Office of School Support Services for the New York City Department of Education, loves good bread, fears falling and would have dinner with President Obama.

What is the best part about your job?

Knowing that I am feeding kids well and helping them along in their education. I feel really good about that.

What is the worst part about your job?

A lot of politics.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

I am proud that we have been able to feed more kids, feed them well and do so in a financially responsible manner. Not bad for government!

What is the most unusual foodservice/catering request you have ever received?

Lobster tails. We’re in the school food business for public schools. We don’t do lobster tails. I told them they had the wrong address.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I wish I could sing well.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Skinnier. Most certainly.

What is your greatest fear?

Falling. Or more specifically, landing after falling.

Which living person do you most admire?

Michael Bloomberg.

What is your favorite meal?

Eggplant parmigiana.

What is your “guilty pleasure?”

I love really good bread.

What will people always find in your refrigerator?

Hot sauce.

What do you consider to be the most overrated foodservice trend?

Quantity.

What is the weirdest food you have ever eaten?

Kangaroo on a trip to Australia.

Are you a morning or evening person?

Evening.

What are your words to live by?

Everything in life is easy—until you have to do it yourself.

What do you value most in a friend?

Trust and intelligence.

If you had a time machine what historical event or era would you visit?

I would like to visit Eastern Europe in the late 1920s and early 1930s.

What would be your dream vacation?

Something that involves both learning and relaxation. I think going to Hawaii and doing a course in marine biology would do the trick!

If you could eat dinner with anyone living or dead, who would it be?

First off, I would certainly choose someone living. Having dinner with a dead person would freak me out. That said, I would go with President Obama. I just couldn’t imagine anything cooler than having dinner with the president of the United States.

What is your most treasured possession?

My family.

What activity is at the top of your bucket list?

Taking my family to Jerusalem.

Who is your favorite celebrity chef?

Julia Child. She was an amazing groundbreaker.

Related Terms: Director, K-12