Mr. Food Team - Howard
By: WTAJ News
Updated: February 15, 2013
Howard Rosenthal
"The Everyday Caterer"
CFO (Chief Food Officer)
"If you love what you do, it's like you never have to go to work." -- Unknown
Well, that quote is me to a T. Since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, I always loved everything about food. I love eating it, playing with it and - okay, sometimes sharing it. So after a 20+ year career as a caterer (which ultimately means I got to make people happy by serving up and creating tasty memories), I now have the honor of running a business that is named Mr. Food. So after a week of being involved in every aspect of food, including tasting it (yes, it's part of the job!), I still love going home and sharing food with family and friends. It's who I am and what makes me happy. I can't think of a better way to make someone smile. I guess that's why I'm known as the "Everyday Caterer."
Favorite Mr. Food recipe: It's like asking a parent which kid is their favorite!
How often do I cook? 4 times per week
Who am I cooking for? My wife Patty, who also runs our kitchen, and my friends and my family.
How long have I been cooking? I started cooking at the age of 6 (I'm assuming mud pies don't count), started working for a caterer at the age of 11, and from then on I was bitten by the bug. After graduating culinary school with a dual major of Professional Chef and Restaurant Management, I started my own catering business before joining the Mr. Food Brand in 1994.
My biggest challenge in the kitchen: Not cooking way too much food. I came from a world where cooking for hundreds was an everyday occurrence. It's hard to change that mentality... Really hard, but I'm trying.
What profession best describes me in the kitchen? A scientist... I love to experiment. Mixing this with that and seeing how it comes out. For the most part... I am successful since I have been cooking for most of my life. And when it doesn't, I just chalk it up to a learning experience.
The kitchen appliance I couldn't live without: It's really not an appliance, but I would be lost in the kitchen without a good basic set of knives. I believe it is the most valuable tool... Hands-down.
The one food I can't stand: I pretty much haven't met a food I didn't like, but if I had to name one, it would be grape leaves. I just don't like them.
The food that instantly takes me back to childhood is: My grandmother's stuffed cabbage or my mom's Swiss Steak. Yum!
If I were a spice, I would be: All-purpose seasoning, since I wear so many hats and it's the combo of all of them that makes me who I am.
If I could have dinner with anyone in the world, dead or alive, it would be: My grandfather, Harry. I never did have the opportunity to know him but from all the stories I have heard... That would be a dream come true.
I love to go out for: The joy of being with family and friends - the food is truly secondary.
Sweet tooth, or salt-craver? What's my weakness: That's a tough one 'cause I love a great savory meal and no matter how full I am I always have to have something sweet to finish it off. That is my true weakness.
"The Everyday Caterer"
CFO (Chief Food Officer)
"If you love what you do, it's like you never have to go to work." -- Unknown
Well, that quote is me to a T. Since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, I always loved everything about food. I love eating it, playing with it and - okay, sometimes sharing it. So after a 20+ year career as a caterer (which ultimately means I got to make people happy by serving up and creating tasty memories), I now have the honor of running a business that is named Mr. Food. So after a week of being involved in every aspect of food, including tasting it (yes, it's part of the job!), I still love going home and sharing food with family and friends. It's who I am and what makes me happy. I can't think of a better way to make someone smile. I guess that's why I'm known as the "Everyday Caterer."
Favorite Mr. Food recipe: It's like asking a parent which kid is their favorite!
How often do I cook? 4 times per week
Who am I cooking for? My wife Patty, who also runs our kitchen, and my friends and my family.
How long have I been cooking? I started cooking at the age of 6 (I'm assuming mud pies don't count), started working for a caterer at the age of 11, and from then on I was bitten by the bug. After graduating culinary school with a dual major of Professional Chef and Restaurant Management, I started my own catering business before joining the Mr. Food Brand in 1994.
My biggest challenge in the kitchen: Not cooking way too much food. I came from a world where cooking for hundreds was an everyday occurrence. It's hard to change that mentality... Really hard, but I'm trying.
What profession best describes me in the kitchen? A scientist... I love to experiment. Mixing this with that and seeing how it comes out. For the most part... I am successful since I have been cooking for most of my life. And when it doesn't, I just chalk it up to a learning experience.
The kitchen appliance I couldn't live without: It's really not an appliance, but I would be lost in the kitchen without a good basic set of knives. I believe it is the most valuable tool... Hands-down.
The one food I can't stand: I pretty much haven't met a food I didn't like, but if I had to name one, it would be grape leaves. I just don't like them.
The food that instantly takes me back to childhood is: My grandmother's stuffed cabbage or my mom's Swiss Steak. Yum!
If I were a spice, I would be: All-purpose seasoning, since I wear so many hats and it's the combo of all of them that makes me who I am.
If I could have dinner with anyone in the world, dead or alive, it would be: My grandfather, Harry. I never did have the opportunity to know him but from all the stories I have heard... That would be a dream come true.
I love to go out for: The joy of being with family and friends - the food is truly secondary.
Sweet tooth, or salt-craver? What's my weakness: That's a tough one 'cause I love a great savory meal and no matter how full I am I always have to have something sweet to finish it off. That is my true weakness.
