All of my days are different—recipe management, taste testing, process change, construction projects, human resources, patient satisfaction. It is a very dynamic environment.
Q. What is the worst part of your job? When I realize that something falls through when it comes to providing a service to our patients, I want our execution of meal service to be perfect and we are not always perfect.
Q. What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?I have been through multiple kitchen renovations and feel that these projects provided the opportunity to lead through a challenging time.
Q. What is the most unusual foodservice/catering request you have ever received?Triple portions for a patient, so we had to deliver two trays. I also have had a patient that ate only chicken nuggets—period. The other odd request was back in my restaurant days when a regular customer always ordered the double hamburger less than rare—almost raw. He also brought plastic dinosaurs and set them up around his plate when he ate his meals.
Q. If you had a time machine what historical event or era would you visit?The 1920s. I think I would have enjoyed the “Jazz Age” and the other arts movements during that time.
Q. Which talent would you most like to have?Musical. I have none and people with musical talent fascinate me. I would love to be able to break out in song and know that people enjoy it.
Q. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?I would like to be more patient at times. “Patience is a virtue” is a self-talk statement that I tell myself!
Q. Which living person do you most admire?My Grandpa Bruce Guard. He helped teach me the value of a strong work ethic, how hard work pays off and the importance of supporting those around you (family, friends and peers). He also taught me how to drive a manual [transmission] car!
Q. What would be your dream vacation?Multi-country wine tour.
Q. What is your favorite meal?Seared Scallops over a Root Vegetable Puree. Runner up is Pernil, a roasted Puerto Rican pork dish
Q. If you could eat dinner with anyone living or dead, who would it be?Ferran Adria. I would love to eat a meal of his favorites!
Q. What is your guilty pleasure?Melted cheese—off of a piece of pizza, melted on a cookie sheet, the edges of macaroni and cheese.
Q. What will people always find in your refrigerator?Pimento cheese.
Q. What food fad do you wish had never started?Low fat. It has caused so much confusion with consumers in terms of portion distortion, how some fats are very good for you and the increase of processed food.
Q. What activity is at the top of your bucket list?Travel, travel and more travel.
Q. What is the weirdest food you have ever eaten?I have had intestines in more ways than I ever expected!
Q. Are you a morning or evening person?Morning, by far.
Q. What are your words to live by?“Work hard and be nice.”