My Recipe for Success
Jose Brito, CDM, CFPP
Wyckoff, NJ
ANFP Member Since: 2019
Jose Brito, CDM, CFPP is currently the Dining and Nutrition Manager at Christian Health, where he has been employed for the past 16 years. He brings more than 18 years of experience in the foodservice industry, including work in both healthcare and restaurant settings. Brito’s background includes hands-on roles as a pastry chef assistant and line cook, giving him a strong foundation in culinary operations, team leadership, and quality food service. He is proud to share his Recipe for Success and hopes it inspires others to keep reaching higher.
Jose's Recipe for Success
- Start with passion. No matter where you begin, your curiosity and dedication can take you far.
- Never stop learning. Each certification or degree was a stepping stone that brought new opportunities.
- Lead with heart. Managing people isn’t just about systems—it’s about support, respect, and building strong teams.
- Stay committed to your purpose. Food service in health care is about more than meals—it’s about enhancing quality of life.
- Work hard. From dishwasher to department manager, my journey is proof that success in this field is possible with hard work, persistence, and a love for what you do.
- Know your residents. Understanding their stories, needs, and preferences builds trust—and that trust makes all the difference in care and satisfaction.
- Embrace feedback. The best leaders listen. Resident suggestions, staff input, or survey results all contribute to your growth and improvement.
- Invest in your team. Training, mentoring, and appreciating your staff leads to better service and a stronger department culture.
- Stay organized. Whether it’s inventory, staffing, or menus, structure and planning help you to lead proactively, not reactively.
- Be the example. Your attitude, work ethic, and professionalism set the tone for your entire team. Show up every day as the leader you need to be when you started.
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
May 2025 - Chef Louie Prantil
July 2025 - Rosemary Aho, CDM, CFPP
September 2025 - Mark Budd, CDM, CFPP
November 2025 - Steve Owen, CDM, CFPP
January 2026 - Felix Jones, CDM, CFPP