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From Finance to Food: Intern Nino Andre Dionio Reflects on His GP Experience

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Through the busy holidays, we normally watch Chefs and Planners do the acrobatics of an event, but the mise en place is a quiet orchestration from every team, bent over slanted desks, pulling levers like Inside Out. When we hear the hums of the season, it’s pies goldening in crusts, and tastings being plated. Silverware rings through the hallways. It can be met at one of our office corners with a faint whirring, a little hum of calculators turning. 

In the midst of the busyness, we gained a new member in Accounting, Nino Andre Dionio, in partnership with the SOAR Experimental Learning Program through LaGuardia Community College’s Center for Career and Professional Development, pairing students with experiential learning. He spent the fall with us, and as a student with interests ranging from Finance to Urban Sociology, he has fresh insight into GP’s culture, work, and the food:

Q: Hi Nino. Tell us a bit about yourself!

A: I’m currently a sophomore at LaGuardia Community College. I’m interested in doing something in business, more specifically in Accounting. I found it really unique to work in a catering company. What really hooked me was my interview – when I heard about the people and atmosphere, to me it sounded like a great working environment. It sounded fun but also professional. 

Q: What have you enjoyed so far about your last month and a half at GP?

A: What I’ve liked so far is how I’ve gotten close with my coworkers. I’m glad to have a casual conversation with them in and out of the office. It helped a lot by how fast I got accustomed to GP. Another is the desserts and food – they’ve been really good and I’m thankful for the lunches too. 

Q: I’m glad good food and conversations are the highlights. Anything interesting you’ve talked about, or anything you found surprising from people? 

A: There have been a lot of funny conversations that I hear in the office. But what I found interesting were my meetings with everyone. It was interesting hearing about everyone’s career path. Many things they’ve said have stuck with me every time I think about my career. 

Q: Putting this career plan aside for a second, if there were a job at GP you could have for just a day, what would it be?

A: I think Culinary is a really fun role to have. I really enjoy cooking at home and wouldn’t mind learning about some cooking from GP. And I really like the food, so I think it would be fun to have insights on how we make our food. 

Q: So have you discovered any new favorite dishes or desserts since you’ve been here?

A: One dessert that always stuck out to me was the chocolate cake with banana I brought home. It was really good, and I’m glad I was able to share it with my mom because she also really liked it. 

Q: And one last question. What do you find more satisfying – balancing a budget, or perfectly plating a dessert?

A: I find balancing a budget more satisfying, for sure.