About the Oz

After thirty-one years in food service, I have seen a lot of trends, none more upsetting than our addiction to sugar. I realized my mission when I first tried Ideal®. After a very brief moment, I asked how could this possibly be a no calorie sweetener when it tasted just like sugar. I became the company chef, with the vision of taking this product and using it in all my everyday recipes, as well as developing new products and applications. Ever since, I have been “livin’ the dream” as Ambassador of Ideal®. I am a true testimonial to its benefits, as I have incorporated it into my diet and have never felt so good!

While I was a youngster, my mother inspired me to try my hand at cooking. I spent many days helping and watching her as she prepared family meals or food for holiday parties. Early on, I was fascinated by the hospitality and food service industries. My first job, at fifteen, was at Burger King, and I continued to work in food service through high school and college. I received my degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from a local community college and did my externship at the prestigious Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. I went on to earn a degree in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Food Service Management.

After college, I went to work for a Connecticut restaurant, doing the purchasing at Hunts Point produce and meat markets and the Fulton Fish Market in New York City. I then moved into the contract food service industry, spending ten years with Marriott Corporation, followed by work in the Philly Steak manufacturing business and with several other companies, leading me to where I am today.

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