Top accomplishment this year:
Moving into the pediatric field to work with kids.
What would you say you excel at over more seasoned employees?
I am always looking for the next best thing. How can I implement a system to make something work better? How can I find a way to get the kids involved with their food? Without the innovation I am around daily, my job could get redundant.
What do you value most in a workplace? Are there any ways your workplace delivers on that?
Open communication and respect are by far the most important to me. These are things that I work on daily in my kitchen, and they are a work in progress. I am a straight shooter when it comes to my staff; I believe that when I am honest with them, they respect what I am saying.
What's the one thing you wish you could change about the industry?
I wish people were more open to all we have to offer. I don’t want to just drop meals off and leave. I want to understand who my residents are and what they like. I want to know how they take their coffee and what ice cream flavor is their favorite. It is important to make those connections to better serve them.