Each Wednesday, The Citizen features someone in the food services industry from the Finger Lakes community in The Banks:

This week, we spotlight Ashley Roney of the Barista, Coffee 'N Cream in Moravia.

Q. What is the one food you cannot live without? Why?

A. I drink more water than probably anybody should.

Q. Fill in the blank. People would be surprised to know that even though I work in the food industry, when I am at home in the kitchen, I _______.

A. I make really big messes, but I'm really clean at work.

Q. What do you like most about living and working in the Finger Lakes region?

A. It's probably one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. I've met people from so many places who come here to see the area, but people who live here take it for granted.

Q. If you were given a million dollars to open your own restaurant, describe it and what type of food you would serve.

A. It would probably be a coffee shop by day but a bar at night. There would be the same setup, but each time would draw different types of people.

Q. Where would it be located? Why?

A. Probably right around here. It's a great spot for a business, to escape the city; it's an escape from reality. Maybe a little closer to Ithaca though, a lot of people go there.

Q. On the day the shop's grand opening, if you could select anyone in the world to be your first three guests, who would they be?

A. I'd want my parents and my best friends. You could have famous people come in and tell you what they think, but having your friends and family tell you makes it mean so much more.

Q. Describe your most embarrassing moment while working on the job.

A. All the things I've spilled on me in front of people - coffee, glasses. One time, I dumped steaming milk on my pants, and I had to work for 15 minutes before I could go home to change. It didn't look like it was milk ... I'll put it that way.

Q. What is your favorite junk food?

A. Ben & Jerry's Half-Baked ice cream - whole pint.

Q. What have you learned are the top three ways to run a successful food business?

A. Be fair. You don't want to overcharge or undercharge your customers because you'll get no where either way. Be outgoing, because if you make friends with your clients they might tell their friends about your business. And I think advertising has a lot to do with it.

Q. If you weren't working in the food business what would you like to be doing?

A. I'd have my own horse barn and run lessons out of there.

Q. Ughh. What's the one food which you absolutely can't stomach? Why?

A. Any kind of fish, especially the kind that tastes like fish food smells.