When not working, Calkins produces hip hop music

Each Wednesday, The Citizen features someone in the food services industry from the Finger Lakes community in The Banks: This week, we spotlight Chirs Calkins, who has worked at Mark's Pizzeria for nearly two weeks.

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

A. Pizza, because it's my favorite food.

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 cook.

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

A. The people.

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

A. A semi-formal restaurant with a bar. It would serve everything from pizza to haddock to hamburgers.

Q. Where would it be located?

A. On the outskirts/suburbs of New York City, since it has so many people, and it wouldn't be as costly as a location directly in the city.

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. Lil' Wayne, my grandmother, because she's the only one who's ever believed in me, and a close friend.

Q. What is your favorite junk food?

A. Gummi bears.

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

A. The customers come first; you have to make the customers happy. You have to be on top of everything. And you have to have good advertising.

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

A. Advancing my music career. I produce rap and R&B for anyone serious about music.

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

A. Ham. I just hate it. It's the only food I won't eat at Christmas dinner.

Chris Calkins

Age: 18

Hometown: Auburn

Family: Two brothers

Education: GED

Occupation: Cook at Mark's Pizzeria

Hobbies: Playing, listening to and producing music