1. CHEF DAVE PRETINO:
My food service career started early; from the age of thirteen, I bused tables
and ran deliveries for my Dad’s restaurant in New York City. I worked there
through college, doing everything from waiting tables to short-order cooking.
After earning my Bachelors of Science degree in Hotel and Restaurant
Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University, I ran the restaurant.
After running the family restaurant for several years, I enrolled in the French
Culinary Institute in New York City, now the International Culinary Institute, in
order to enhance my culinary background. While enrolled there, I was hired as
Sous Chef by one of my instructors who was opening a restaurant. I started
working at Park 111 in Ridgewood, New Jersey (voted Best New Restaurant in
North Jersey by New Jersey Monthly) while attending school, and for several
years after graduation. Our menu changed monthly, and we all were involved in
making desserts, so I gained exposure to many interesting selections.
At this point of my life, I wanted a better work-home balance, so I made the
move to Corporate Dining. I spent the next fifteen years running cafeterias in a
number of companies, including Weyth laboratories, P.F. Laboratories, UPS, and
Chanel, as well as eighteen months as the HACCP/Facilities Manager for the
Lehman Brothers café.
I started with Pomptonian in 2010 as the Northern Highlands director in training
and was promoted to Food Service Director the following year. I enjoy having
the freedom to create menus that students and staff really enjoy. The Action
Thursday promotion I initiated not only gives me a chance to be creative, but
also to interact with the students in a fun environment. In 2014, I also took on
the Allendale School District’s program, and have been bringing monthly
demonstrations and theme days to younger students.