Michael D’Antonio, SNS

Please share a little of your K-12 school nutrition journey.

I transitioned to student nutrition five years ago, drawn by the impactful work K-12 nutrition professionals in Aurora Public Schools were doing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Having previously worked in various other foodservice sectors, I saw an opportunity to contribute my expertise as a chef and leader to this vital effort within my current district.

What three items would you put in a time capsule to be opened 100 years from now?

A brief outline of what I think the world will be like in 100 years, my grandmother’s Manhattan Clam Chowder recipe and a photograph of my family.

What’s your all-time favorite book?

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain. It deeply influenced me, arriving at a crucial moment and guiding the life path I ultimately chose.

What fictional place would you like to visit?

Middle-earth as depicted by J.R.R. Tolkien, preferably in a time of peace. I think it’s similar enough to our reality that it’s not an overwhelming shock, but different enough to be a place of constant wonder.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I love Colorado, my home state, so much that I’m not sure I’d ever want to live anywhere else.

Do you have a hidden talent?

I consider myself a capable singer, having participated in various choirs and musical theater productions.

What’s your favorite holiday or tradition?

I value the ritual of the shared family dinner, whether it’s a special holiday or a casual Wednesday. Taking the time to pause and share a proper meal with loved ones is crucial.

What is your dream vacation destination?

Southeast Asia has always captivated me with its sights, food and culture. My interest in visiting the region intensified after watching a TV show where three friends traveled across Vietnam on motorcycles, an adventure that now sounds incredibly appealing.

What is your favorite part of your daily routine?

Every day after work I call my wife to talk on our drives home. It gives us time to download and connect before we hit the house and are occupied by our three children and all the requirements of dinner, homework and nighttime routines.

What is your favorite global cuisine?

I love it all, but currently my tastes tend to lean to Southern Mediterranean and the spices of North Africa.

What do you do to cheer yourself up on a bad day?

Music, music, music—windows down and the music all the way up.

Who most inspires you?

My wife. She has an ability to see the best potential in everyone and firmly believes that they are capable of achieving it. It is an optimism I wish I could emulate.

What would be your first purchase if you won the lottery?

It would come as no surprise to anyone who knows me that I already have a spreadsheet detailing how I would allocate every penny if I were to win the lottery. That said, my first purchase would be a worldwide trip with my family to see, hear, taste and experience everything.