Each Wednesday, The Citizen features someone in the food services industry from the Finger Lakes community in The Banks: This week, we spotlight Meg Hogan.

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

A. Salt. I'm a saltaholic.

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. Don't use recipes.

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

A. The people and the seasons.

Q. If you were given $1 million to open your own restaurant, describe it and what type of food you would serve.

A. A kid-friendly restaurant like you would see in Disney World. I would serve a healthy twist on classic favorites.

Q. Where would it be located?

A. Auburn.

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

A. Rachael Ray, Giada De Laurentiis and Emeril Lagasse, my Food Network idols.

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

A. I “loaned” my neighbor his own ladder.

Q. What is your favorite junk food?

A. Candy.

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

A. Great food, prices and customer service.

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

A. I'd like to be at home with my kids.

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

A. Cottage cheese. I think it looks gross.

Meg Hogan

Age: 37

Hometown: Oneida

Family: Husband, Pat; sons: Jack and Max, 11; Trevor, 9; Parker, 7; Lucas, 6; Christian, 2

Education: Niagara University and master's degree from Nazareth College

Occupation: Mother and owner of Make and Take Gourmet, 171 Grant Ave., Auburn

Hobbies: Watching my boys play sports