Confessions of Diane Imrie

Diane Imrie, R.D., director of nutrition services for Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vt., loves Italian food, doesn’t like carrying a pager and once had a doctor ask for bacon to be used to treat a patient. 

Q. What is the best part of your job?

The food and the people.

Q. What is the worst part of your job?

Carrying a pager.

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

Inspiring others to take an interest in healthy food.

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

A physician once called from the emergency department asking for raw bacon to do be used clinically. Don’t ask.

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

Is there another option? Growing, storing and cooking food—oh, but that is kind of foodservice.

Q. Which talent would you most like to have?

I would love to be a skilled writer.

Q. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I would like to worry less.

Q. What is your greatest fear?

Singing in public.

Q. Which living person do you most admire?

My dad.

Q. What is your favorite meal?

 I love most things Italian: mushrooms, good olives, cheese, bread, wine….

Q. What is your guilty pleasure?

Chips.

Q. What will people always find in your refrigerator?

Related:Diane Imrie: Sustainability Champion

Olives, cheese, carrots and spinach.

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

Fat phobia.

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

Gluten free (for all those who may not need it).

Q. Read the book or see the movie?

Read the book; then watch the movie with my husband.

Q. Are you a morning or evening person?

Morning. Sometimes we go to bed so early we don’t even have to turn the lights on at night!

Q. What are your words to live by?

Live what you are passionate about.

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

The early 1800’s. The landscape must have been beautiful here in the Northeast. 

Q. What do you value most in a friend?

Honesty.

Q. What would be your dream vacation?

Cycling and eating my way across Italy.  

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

Jacques Pepin.

Q. What is your most treasured possession?

My new land. 

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

Growing pumpkins. 

Q. Who is your favorite celebrity chef?

Jacques Pepin.