My Recipe for Success
Rosemary Aho, CDM, CFPP
Hancock, MI
ANFP Member Since: 2018
Rosemary Aho, CDM, CFPP is a Dietary Manager at Canal View - Houghton County in Hancock, MI. She has a deep love for people, good food, and figuring things out as she goes.
She started as a pastry chef and found her calling in long-term care, where she’s spent over a decade navigating the “beautiful chaos” of healthcare kitchens. Aho is passionate about creating better systems, mentoring the next generation, and being the kind of leader she once needed. Like most CDM, CFPPs, she’s no stranger to burnout, staffing struggles, and the endless dance between paperwork and pans – but she believes wholeheartedly in the difference this work makes.
Rosemary's Recipe for Success
- Lead from the dishroom to the boardroom. Never be afraid to roll up your sleeves—respect is earned by showing your team you’re in it with them. I’ve never asked a staff member to do something I haven’t done at some point in my career. (Well…there was one time a really big bug flew into the kitchen, and I had to ask for backup.)
- Don’t wait for the perfect moment—say yes, then figure it out. Growth often comes when you say yes before you feel ready. (Like running a state chapter… or presenting at a national conference!) This doesn’t mean throw caution to the wind—regulations and procedures matter—but don’t let “good enough” get in the way of “great.” There will always be variables you can’t predict.
- Your passion is your power. Let your love for food, service, and people be your compass. It’ll carry you through the tough days and keep your work meaningful. When I feel like I’m at my breaking point, I grab the thank-you cards. I send them to residents, staff, and colleagues—and somehow, my own cup ends up feeling a little fuller too.
- Stay curious, not just compliant. Regulations matter, but so does innovation. Ask questions. Challenge “the way it’s always been.” Keep learning, even when it’s uncomfortable.
- Mentor and be mentored. There’s always someone who can teach you something—and someone who can learn from you. If you stay open, you’ll learn the most important things from the most unexpected people and situations.
- Own your mistakes. Whether it’s a burnt pan or a bad day, take responsibility, bounce back fast, and keep it real with your team. We’re human—mistakes happen. The most important part is how you fix it.
- Know when to speak up—and when to listen harder. Leadership isn’t just about solving problems; it’s about hearing the ones that aren’t being said out loud. When a team member is upset, take a breath and ask yourself: where did the fire actually start, not just what’s fueling it now?
- Protect your joy. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take a dance break. Get a new hairdo. Walk your dogs. Do whatever reminds you that you matter too. It’s okay to not be okay—and it’s more than okay to take time for yourself.
- Be the advocate you wish you had. Whether it’s for your residents, your team, or yourself—don’t be afraid to speak up, push back, and fight for better.
- Your legacy is in the lives you touch. Awards are nice, but impact is everything. When you invest in people, that’s what lasts.
View the archive of My Recipe for Success articles at www.ANFPonline.org/myrecipeforsuccess.
Nominate Yourself or a Fellow ANFP Member
Have you spent a career in foodservice? Share your wisdom and advice in a new feature from ANFP. My Recipe for Success is aimed at retired members or those who have spent a long career in foodservice. Share the biggest lessons you’ve learned to a lengthy, fruitful, and successful career in the non-commercial foodservice industry.
My Recipe for Success Archive
January 2021 - Dorothy Radermacher, CDM, CFPP
March 2021 - Wanda Dickson, CDM, CFPP
May 2021 - Tom Thaman, CDM, CFPP
July 2021 - Chef Richard "Nick" Nickless, CEC, CCA, AAC, CDM, CFPP
September 2021 - Karen Swift, CDM, CFPP
November 2021 - Paula Bradley, CDM, CFPP
January 2022 - Deborah McDonald, CDM, CFPP
March 2022 - Trish De Leo, CDM, CFPP
May 2022 - Deb Dawson, CDM, CFPP
July 2022 - Rosalind Davis, CDM, CFPP
September 2022 - Ken Owens, CDM, CFPP
November 2022 - Janice Hemel, CDM, CFPP
January 2023 - Bonna Brown, CDM, CFPP
March 2023 - Becky Massey, CDM, CFPP
May 2023 - Colleen Zenk, CDM, CFPP
July 2023 - Joey Rost, CDM, CFPP
September 2023 - Milton McGowian, DBA, FMP, CDM, CFPP
November 2023 - Robert McKeon, CDM, CFPP
January 2024 - Hunter Hying, CDM, CFPP
March 2024 - Kim Kyle, CDM, CFPP
May 2024 - Sharon Vermeer, CDM, CFPP
July 2024 - Regina St. Clair, CDM, CFPP
September 2024 - Ken Hanson, CPM, CDM, CFPP
November 2024 - Barbara Thomsen, CDM, CFPP, RAC, QCP
January 2025 - Michael Kopec, CDM, CFPP
March 2025 - Preeti Padmanabhan, CDM, CFPP