Field To Fork

Hi! Meet Tyler. We had lunch yesterday at the Mayobird and talked all the things. It easily felt like one of the safest conversations ever. No judgement, just honest conversation. I appreciate that. She’s doing awesome things here in Charlotte with Field to Fork. The concept of a pizza garden is so easy to grasp. It’s smart and kids get it. I love it. I truly believe in educating children at a young age on the importance of food, nutrition and sustainability. Where was this when I was growing up? I asked her five questions. Beth Mack and Kerri Flanigan each asked one.

What are you passionate about?

That is such an interesting word and I’m careful with it because I feel like it’s been getting thrown around a little loosely lately. I’m very intense about food. That would have to be my passion. It’s a really broad thing to say. That I’m passionate about food but I do feel this way about every single aspect of it. I just went back to school to study nutrition but the thing about food that I think is so cool is it really drives so much of what we do all the time. Culturally why do we eat what we eat? I believe the socioeconomics of food are really fascinating. I have always been so interested in it. It’s the reason I decided to rethink my career and go in that direction.

What frustrates you?

Just one thing? {laughs} Really slow internet as well as the lack of use of turn signals really frustrates me. But on a more serious note I get frustrated by people who are deliberately ignorant. They won’t hear other perspectives or entertain other ideas just because they want to main their own way of thinking. That frustrates me because it’s really hard to talk to people like that and have an honest conversation. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but you should be open to hearing the other side. Otherwise your just cherrypicking what you want to justify your opinion.

What is your least favorite trait about yourself?

I’m a really really harsh critic. I’m really hard on other people. I have high expectations but it goes both ways. I’m also really hard on myself. I would say that’s my least favorite characteristic. It can be detrimental at times so I try to be conscious of it.

What is your greatest indulgence?

Three years ago I completely left my career in banking and to me that was an indulgence in a way. I had this career that was really good and I was doing a job that paid really well. I don’t think that everyone is able to leave their jobs and start a whole new career just like that. To me that seemed like a really big indulgence. I know it took a lot of courage for me personally but when I think back on it it was definitely pretty indulgent. I kind of just threw one career aside and said alright, I’m gonna do a whole new one now. But day to day I would say craft beer is my greatest indulgence.

If I gave you $10,000 right now what would you do with it?

If it was not going to a nonprofit of my choice I would buy an awesome RV or rent one and I spend several months going around the US. There’s so much of the US that I haven’t seen and that’s always been a dream to have all this time to just explore. I’m not sure I’ll ever have the chance to do it but I think $10,000 would help kick it off. I just want to thoroughly go through the US… all the little towns.

Beth Mack asked what’s the dorkiest thing that you do?

So I’m really into Consumer Reports. Anytime I buy anything I have to look at Consumer Reports, all the reviews, all the specs. I can’t by any piece of electrical equipment, appliance or car without getting all tech’d out in Consumer Reports. I love it.

Kerri Flanigan asked if you could hang out with one celebrity for a day who would it be?

I would say Jimmy Fallon. Because he’s hilarious and does that craziest things. Also, we’d do a lip sync battle because I can’t sing so I think I’d be pretty good at that. Maybe Oprah as a back up. She’s awesome.

You can find more information about Tyler and Field to Fork here or on Twitter @Field2ForkCLT.