My Recipe for Success
Barbara Thomsen, CDM, CFPP, RAC QCP
Norwalk, IA
ANFP Member Since: 1996
Barbara Thomesen, CDM, CFPP, RAC QCP had a career change after 10+ years in long-term care communities as the MDS Education Coordinator/Trainer for the State of Iowa before starting her own consulting business: Aging Rules. Thomsen is a Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Food Protection Professional and a Resident Assessment Coordinator and QAPI Certified Professional. She is the Spokesperson for ANFP’s Iowa Chapter, National ANFP Legislative Chair, and currently consults with care communities in need as ANFP’s Education/Regulatory Consultant, and serves as an Education Collaborator with the University of North Dakota.
Thomsen is a respected trainer/educational partner for various health care associations, ANFP chapters, as well as a National ANFP speaker and Pioneer Network presenter. She continues to be active with CMS as a past member of the IMPACT Act TEP (Technical Expert Panel), and is the Program Coordinator/Adjunct Instructor for Des Moines Area Community College’s Dietary Manager Course. Her life’s mantra is Aging Rules with quality over quantity, live it up!
Thomsen’s life choices have never been conventional. She is a small-town mechanic’s daughter who has degrees in English, Danish, and French, is an ESL (English as a second language) instructor, and has Architecture & Mechanical Drafting degrees, and then got her CDM, CFPP certification. In her words, she is “totally shaking it up!”
Barbara's Recipe for Success
- Life is a journey. Don't get left behind.
- Take the path with all the curves and roundabouts.
- Nibble to try whats new. Stay in the moment.
- Be bold and load up your options...education is key!
- Spend time cooking with others. Keep your kitchen full of creativity.
- Promote yourself, but be like an always-available menu...always evolving.
- No limitations or expectations. Be free to be you.
- Use the whole cookbook. Don't be stuck with just the appetizers!
- Spice it up. Use all that can be shaken and stirred.
- Remember, "A recipe has no soul. You, as the cook, must bring the soul to the recipe." - Thomas Keller
View the archive of My Recipe for Success articles at www.ANFPonline.org/myrecipeforsuccess.
Nominate Yourself or a Fellow ANFP Member
Have you spent a career in foodservice? Share your wisdom and advice in a new feature from ANFP. My Recipe for Success is aimed at retired members or those who have spent a long career in foodservice. Share the biggest lessons you’ve learned to a lengthy, fruitful, and successful career in the non-commercial foodservice industry.
My Recipe for Success Archive
January 2021 - Dorothy Radermacher, CDM, CFPP
March 2021 - Wanda Dickson, CDM, CFPP
May 2021 - Tom Thaman, CDM, CFPP
July 2021 - Chef Richard "Nick" Nickless, CEC, CCA, AAC, CDM, CFPP
September 2021 - Karen Swift, CDM, CFPP
November 2021 - Paula Bradley, CDM, CFPP
January 2022 - Deborah McDonald, CDM, CFPP
March 2022 - Trish De Leo, CDM, CFPP
May 2022 - Deb Dawson, CDM, CFPP
July 2022 - Rosalind Davis, CDM, CFPP
September 2022 - Ken Owens, CDM, CFPP
November 2022 - Janice Hemel, CDM, CFPP
January 2023 - Bonna Brown, CDM, CFPP
March 2023 - Becky Massey, CDM, CFPP
May 2023 - Colleen Zenk, CDM, CFPP
July 2023 - Joey Rost, CDM, CFPP
September 2023 - Milton McGowian, DBA, FMP, CDM, CFPP
November 2023 - Robert McKeon, CDM, CFPP
January 2024 - Hunter Hying, CDM, CFPP
March 2024 - Kim Kyle, CDM, CFPP
May 2024 - Sharon Vermeer, CDM, CFPP
July 2024 - Regina St. Clair, CDM, CFPP
September 2024 - Ken Hanson, CPM, CDM, CFPP