Confessions of Lenny DeMartino

Lenny DeMartino, general manager for Parkhurst Culinary Services at Highmark, in Pittsburgh, admits a great fear of the world running out of pizza and an admiration for Jon Bon Jovi.

Q. What is the best part of your job?

Interacting with guests and team members.

Q. What is the worst part of your job?

Waking up at 4 a.m.

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

Being one of the 12 nominees for FSD of the Year.

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

Recently I got a request for oxtails.

Q. Which talent would you most like to have?

Mind reading.

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

I’d like to be the same weight as when I was a teenager.

Q. What is your greatest fear?

That the world will run out of pizza.

Q. Which living person do you most admire?

Jon Bon Jovi—the ‘80s rocked!

Q. What is your favorite meal?

Pizza with sausage, pepperoni and extra cheese.

Q. What is your guilty pleasure?

Anything coated with chocolate and stuffed with peanut butter.

Q. What will people always find in your refrigerator?

Coors Light beer.

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

Alligator. However, it was very good and, yes, it tastes like chicken.

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

Adding nutritional information for every item.

Q. Are you a morning or evening person?

Morning, after the first cup of coffee.

Q. What are your words to live by?

Be passionate for whatever you choose to do in life.