Confessions of Lisa Poggas, R.D.

Lisa Poggas, director of nutritional services for Parker Adventist Hospital and Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, in Colorado, has a classic car collection, wishes she could be an artist and always has wine and cheese in her refrigerator.

Q. What is the best part of your job?

Helping people to achieve their best and eating the great food that we prepare in our restaurants. 

Q. What is the worst part of your job?

The personnel issues.

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

I have had the wonderful opportunity to open up two new hospitals and do a complete kitchen and dining room renovation as well.

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

I would be a vacation planner, where I would organize guests’ vacations—hotels, food and activities, etc.

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

To see Elvis or Michael Jackson in concert.

Q. Which talent would you most like to have?

Be an artist or a public speaker.

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

Have more patience.

Q. Which living person do you most admire?

Rick Bayless. He is gracious, approachable and a great chef. 

Q. What would be your dream vacation?

Going to the Mediterranean or Australia/New Zealand.

Q. What is your favorite meal?

It depends on the day and my mood. Gourmet pizza, drunken noodles, street tacos, German puff pancake, etc. Love my carbs. 

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

Julia Child.

Q. What is your guilty pleasure?

Artisan cheese, bread and wine.

Q. What will people always find in your refrigerator?

Wine and cheese.

Q. What is your most treasured possession?

Our classic car collection (’64 Chevrolet Corvette, ’69 Jaguar XKE, ’67 Mercury Cougar, ’56 Ford Thunderbird and ’49 Chevrolet 3100 Truck).  

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

Gluten free.

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

Drive Route 66 in my husband’s ’64 Corvette from Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier. Also, I’d like to go on an African safari to see the elephants. 

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

I don’t eat too many weird things, except one extremely stinky cheese that I had to spit out and a bottle of wine that smelled like sweaty feet.

Q. Are you a morning or evening person?

A morning person.

Q. What are your words to live by?

Try to remember three good things each day for which you are grateful. This will help you increase your happiness.