Confessions of Becky Hassinger

Becky Hassinger, manager of dining and nutrition services at the University of Missouri Health Care system in Columbia, confesses that popcorn with real melted butter is her guilty pleasure. 

Q. What is the best part of your job?

Serving our patients is very rewarding. Another perk is that people that work in the healthcare industry are compassionate people and make for great co-workers.

Q. What is the worst part of your job?

Budget cuts and being consistently short-staffed.

Q. What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

The renovation projects I have completed that improve the services and food choices for our patients, visitors and staff.

Q. What is the most unusual foodservice/catering request you have ever received?

To provide food and water to a baby elephant that was being auctioned as an unknown item behind the curtain. This was at a two-day, outdoor cattle auction that we were also providing food and bar service to the guests.

Q. If you weren't in foodservice what would you be doing?

I would love to work in human resources.

Q. Which talent would you most like to have?

To play a musical instrument.

Q. What is your greatest fear?

Heights. Three steps up a ladder is enough for me.

Q. Which living person do you most admire?

My sister, she has an amazing set of values.

Related:Becky Hassinger: Elevating the Experience

Q. What is your favorite meal?

A really good steak and potatoes.

Q. What is your guilty pleasure?

Popcorn with melted real butter.

Q. What will people always find in your refrigerator?

Eggs and butter.

Q. What food fad do you wish had never started?

Salad bars and buffets. People tend to be gluttonous and they are not sanitary.  

Q. What is the weirdest food you have ever eaten?

Rattlesnake.

Q. What do you consider to be the most overrated foodservice trend?

Sushi, it is a pretty food with a hefty price for what you get, in my opinion.

Q. Read the book or see the movie?

Read the book, then see the movie.

Q. Are you a morning or evening person?

Definitely an evening person.

Q. What are your words to live by?

Organization is the key to success.

Q. If you had a time machine what historical event or era would you visit?

I think the Roaring 20’s would have been a blast. Although I would want to come back before The Great Depression hit.

Q. What would be your dream vacation?

A monthlong European tour.

Q. If you could eat dinner with anyone living or dead, who would it be?

I would want to have a family dinner that included my brother and sister, their kids, my parents and both sets grandparents. All of my grandparents are now dead, and I never got to meet my dad’s father. He died before I was born.

Q. What is your most treasured possession?

My African Violet plants that were given to me by my great grandmother.

Q. What activity is at the top of your bucket list?

To go to Alaska and Hawaii. Then I can say I have traveled in all 50 states 

Q. Who is your favorite celebrity chef?

I get a kick out of Alton Brown. He provides interesting facts, trivia and tips.