DOUG Paine
Favorite Part of Job? Getting to work with so many passionate and creative people.
Most Inspiring Mentor: I have had many good mentors in the kitchen. The top three are, for creativity-Sam Palmisano, for discipline-Michael Kloeti, and for ethics-Steven Obranovich.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: I have traveled cross country in a VW bus.
Favorite Hobby: Mushroom hunting.
Favorite Vermont Escape: Lake Willoughby.
Favorite Social Media: Wouldn't say it is a "favorite", but I use Facebook the most for social media.
Favorite Website: phish.com
Vermont Business Person you would like to have lunch with: It's surprises me that we never have had a meal together considering the number of years I have been working with him, but Pete Johnson of Pete's Greens. He is very innovative and resourceful, and has done a great deal for the Vermont food economy.
Career Highlights: Receiving a letter from Senator Leahy saying that a meal he had at Hotel Vermont was one of the best he had ever had. Chefs hear that kind of thing a lot, but when it came hand written from him it had special meaning.
Community Involvement: One of my favorite projects I have been working on recently is a partnership between the Vermont Fresh Network and Lake Champlain International. They are trying to raise awareness of the environmental problems with Lake Champlain by showing people that it is a good resource for fresh local fish to eat, and that it is a resource worth protecting.
