Early CDM, CFPP Career - January/February 2025

Why is a career in foodservice the right fit for you?

I originally wanted to be an artist. I wanted to be an aeronautical engineer as a teenager going into high school and then eventually going to college. I ended up being an art major at a community college. Then I joined the United States Coast Guard, which didn't have any sort of engineering type of feel for me. I ended up going into the culinary arts, which I did for a number of years, and then when I came out of the service, got into food service management, and that's pretty much where I've landed since then.

Why did you choose to earn your CDM, CFPP credential? 

The last healthcare facility I worked at, the prior director that I replaced had informed me that in gaining the position, I would have to obtain my Certified Dietary Manager. He also showed me the website through ANFP and how to obtain that. He also asked me if I had any sort of prior military or any other college or avenues on which I could test out. He showed me the parameters. He showed me the different options in which to possibly be eligible to test out for the program. My director also was adamant about me obtaining that Certified Dietary Manager certificate because most healthcare facilities were requiring that if you were a manager or above. So, I was able to obtain my transcripts from the Coast Guard as far as food service is concerned and was eligible to test out. I got the books, the course material, the flashcards, which were extremely helpful, and I was able to test out and got my CDM, CFPP just prior to going into collegiate hospitality coming out of healthcare.

What ANFP tools have helped you get acclimated in your career?

Definitely the CEs. The continuing education has kind of kept me sharp and abreast of all the information. As we all know, nutrition and diet have changed. Different aspects of nutrition are certainly always changing. They're always coming up with new ideas and new formulas to help people to either gain weight or lose weight and do that sort of in a healthier fashion. Certain products are coming out and adding other ingredients to make a healthier, nutritional, well-balanced meal for people. So, just being in the forefront of that. Just having the resources. The ANFP website is extremely helpful. Then, going into the CEs and getting all those continuing education tools has been a huge help.

What are you looking forward to most in your career as a CDM, CFPP?

I'm looking forward to going back into healthcare and potentially having a higher role as a food service director or even maybe a regional director in charge of multiple facilities and being able to work side by side with the dietitians. Also, being able to analyze and implement certain diets and restrictions for those who are in need in those healthcare types of facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, and the like. So, that's kind of where I'm looking to expand and grow in my career.

What advice would you give other young professionals or those searching to build a new career in the foodservice industry?

I would say definitely do some of your own research. Be hungry, so to speak. No pun intended. Be hungry in your pursuit of knowledge because there is just a plethora of knowledge out there and information where new things are constantly coming out.

I can remember, in the early days of my career, studies had found that eggs were high in cholesterol, which they can be. There was some talk of not having too many eggs and not having eggs at all or eliminating them from your diet. But then later on, studies indicated that because of the zinc, protein, and B vitamins, some of those other aspects of eggs are very beneficial to the body. So, it's kind of doing your own research and being up on top of the latest information that comes out from college studies to doctors and dietitians and professionals in the field that collaborate together and come up with new findings, new diets, and new recipes. So, it's doing your own research and definitely being in touch with ANFP and having that as a resource, too, because it's just been extremely beneficial for me and I want to continue having that and sharing that information.