For decades there has been a distinctive voice in food communications. That will be changing next week, as my boss and mentor, Anita Fial, retires and begins the next chapter in her life. Her legacy will continue through all of the people she has inspired to work hard, follow through on your commitments and never stop learning.
Anita’s career began in the test kitchens at Lewis & Neale, where she put her home economist degree to good use working for clients such as the American Spice Trade Association and American Mushroom Institute among other food industries. Her interest always went beyond the test kitchen, and so did her career. She eagerly became the “runner” making food press deliveries to editors throughout New York where she developed relationships and built trust. This led to travel around the country, meeting with newspaper editors and making television appearances for clients. She has always been a people person, and relished opportunities to get out of the kitchen. She worked for Avanelle Day at the time, but it was really Nancy Webb who helped mentor her, as Anita looked to what’s next. As she puts it, “I wanted to drive my own buggy” and that meant account work. She excelled at that, and worked her way up through the ranks to eventually become president and sole owner of Lewis & Neale, opting to keep the name she helped build into a leader in food marketing.
Anita‘s drive for perfection,, unrelenting dedication, passion and integrity have been admired and appreciated by colleagues, clients and journalists alike.. She will be thought of every time we fire up the test kitchen, learn about a new product
or meet with a long-time client to discuss what’s next. Her passion for servicing the client first is evident when you look at those that we have had the pleasure to work with for over 10 years. Always operating with the utmost integrity, she is disturbed by the unethical behavior that can occur in our industry. Anita has always preached “you must believe in what you are promoting” to the point where she has walked away from clients who wanted her to sacrifice her integrity. It is no wonder she is beloved and respected in the industry.
A pioneer for the professional mother, Anita continues to be an inspiration and mentor for young mothers in our office who find a balance between work and family. Raising two children while rising to the top of the corporate world is not unusual today, though still not as common as Anita would like to see, but it was unheard of then. Of course Anita has never been one to shy away from something just because it is difficult. Her advice for young people in the industry: “Get out to conferences, conventions, meetings, anywhere that you get a chance to interact with others in the industry. What you learn and the relationships you build there cannot be done sitting behind a desk.”
It was 1954 when Anita joined Lewis & Neale as a test kitchen assistant. She may tell you she was 3 at the time. In fact it was then Bernard L. Lewis, Inc., formerly Publicity Associates, founded by Amy Vanderbilt. In 1956, Marshall Neale became a partner and the name changed. Fifty-five years later, Lewis & Neale continues to focus on food communications, education and promotion as the food/nutrition practice of CRT/tanaka. When Lewis & Neale began, it was not typical for an agency to have home economists on staff and a test kitchen in the office. Today, we continue to distinguish ourselves with a newly built testing and demonstration kitchen and our staff RD and senior vice president, Ruth Lowenberg, who will take the reins of the Lewis & Neale food division.
It was nearly 12 years ago that I began my career in food marketing, hired by Anita who saw potential in a newly graduated politics major who used to cook for his dinners in college. Much like Anita’s career at Lewis & Neale, I began at the entry level. She has always honored her beginnings by mentoring numerous young people who worked for her as well as chefs, writers and personalities who she believed in long before the country knew them. Those of us who have had the privilege to know her can all honor her impactful and memorable career by always nurturing and encouraging those around us to bigger and better things. At CRT/tanaka, we call that WhatCanBe, and in that spirit, the agency is establishing a scholarship in Anita’s honor to support continuing education and professional development. It will be administered through the International Foodservice Editorial Council (IFEC), an organization Anita has been involved with her entire career. If you are interested in finding out more about it, or how to contribute, please email me at Jason@lewis-neale.com.
Best wishes Anita as you see the world and find time to do all those things you put off over the years to serve your clients and the industry. We look forward to your ongoing guidance and mentorship as you continue to provide good counsel. You didn’t think she’d completely retire, did you?
Please share your favorite Anita story in the comments.
Anita, you are truly an inspiration for me and others. I never realized your amazing energy and stamina until we walked the PMA trade show floor(several times), after morning meetings, and later attended evening events/dinners. Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! :)
Anita:
I’m just sorry I haven’t known you through all of those incredible years. You are a person with great ability to make others feel engaged and involved, and being able to still avail ourselves of your smarts and positive energy is a blessing. Thanks!
Anita, hearty congratulations on your “retirement.” I put the word in quotes because I think you’re going to re-define it! I’m delighted we re-connected at the CRT/tanaka annual retreat, and look forward to hearing about all your adventures during this new chapter!
Cheers,
kj
Jason, thank you for this wonderful tribute. Anita, you are an inspiration to us all – particularly to those of us who have raised a family while working full-time and feel fullfilled. Thank you for your dedication and contributions to our industry and to the people of Lewis & Neale and CRT/tanaka.
Anita,
You are a one-of-a-kind class act who I feel priviledged to know. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do to teach and inspire. We are all in awe of you and your indefaticable efforts on behalf of your clients, your company and your associates.
Marcy
I have known Anita for 28 years. As a food editor at Restaurants & Institutions Magazine, I always knew I could count on her to provide me with photos, recipes and information in a timely manner. She was very kind to me when I was learning the ropes. That’s the professional side, and only a small part of who she became to me–a friend, collegue and mentor. I’ve shopped for clothes with Anita, shared numerous amazing meals, walked with her, laughed with her, shared stories. Doing business with Anita was always about being friends, too. I can’t help but smile when I think how lucky I am to have had her ready wit in my life!
Dear Anita:
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and expertise in food communications on behalf of our industry. From Uruapan, Michoacán I wish you the best time of your life now that you have decided to turn the page.
I’ve had the pleasure to know Anita for nearly 15 years. She was one of my early contacts in the industry. She was always willing to mentor, answer questions and provide good advice – not to mention deliver great project results. She is a great example of quality and class – something we should all strive for.
When i first met Anita, I felt as though I had known her forever. I began my career 25 years ago at D-A-Y Public Relations, which also had one of the few remaining test kitchens in NYC, so walking into Lewis and Neale felt like I was going home. I’ve had the privilege of working with Anita on various food accounts, and you can tell her love of her clients and her work just by listening to her describe the story or the product. I’m thrilled that her legacy continues with her fine colleagues at L&N and the great work they continue to do for their clients.
Anita, congratulations on a career many can only dream of, and thanks for sharing it with us!! Joe Ricci and the WestGlen team.
Anita, You are one of those rare individuals who makes their mark on others lives in such an incredible fashion. The common ground we found while working together through Mr. Food became a bond of friendship, that I know will last a lifetime. From one Brooklyn girl who went to James Madison H.S. to another, I want to wish you all the best in your next journey, as your adventures continue. I can’t wait to hear all about it! I am so happy for you!
Anita…You deserve every accolade given to you. As a radio person, I found it exciting and fun to work with you and your clients.aaND WE HAD SOME LEISURELY GOOD TIMES AS WELL.
But now, the best is yet to come as you rest on your laurels and experience travel and other PLEASURES. SEE YOU!!!
Anita, you will never know how much you helped shape me as a professional over the more than 16 years I’ve known you and enjoyed the honor of being inspired by you. I’m indebted to you forever.
Anita,
You are an inspiration to any woman growing her career in the food communications profession. Thank you for showing me your town and your hospitality. Cheers!
Anita, you are a legend for all of us in Parma too … You deserve the crown firebrand …
Anita,
Thank you for being such an outstanding example of professionalism and for proving that success and high ethical standards can coexist in the world of PR.
You have been a true inspiration to me throughout my career. I feel lucky to have had many opportunities to work with you and your team over the past 20+ years and feel extremely honored to count you as a friend. You are THE best!
Anita, you will surely be missed. Thank you for all the great years I had the pleasure of working for you. Wishing you all the best in the next chapter of your new life.
I have known Anita since the 70’s (back when she worked as the agency for a spice company and I worked for the spice company). She is indeed a special person. There was a gap of 20 years before we reconnected, but it didn’t matter. The friendship bridge was always there. Anita was always an inspiration to me, both professionally and personally. We shared a lot over the years. I hope to continue our friendship and wish Anita the best of life and good health for many years ahead!
Anita, I’ll always remember our drive to Penn. Drive slowly and see the world!
Anita,
You are an inspiration and deserving of all the accolades and tributes. While we never had the opportunity to work with your firm, your reputation as one who helped shape, define and police professional food marketing and PR… is a legacy that will shine for quite some time to come. Enjoy this time you have worked so hard to have, and Eat Your Watercress!
Anita: I shall never forget the tiny kitchen and minuscule prop room where we turned out some pretty good pictures .
And now, “The Tango”
Anita,
All of Nogales has been talking about your retirement. Chris Ciruli and I were takling about how wonderful you are and how happy we are that you are starting a new adventure. In this business you meet so many people, but few of them are real keepers…the kind you will remember for years to come and always smile at the thought of them. You are one of the keepers, Anita. I cannot thank you enough for all you have done for me professionally and for the people I work with. I hope that our paths will cross again soon!
I am reserving my best regards for you! Happy travels.
Allison Moore
You know: you see Anita after an absence of God only knows how many years and it’s as if it was just yesterday that you sat somewhere and talked and laughed about whatever it is that you wanted to talk and laugh about.
I was walking through the produce department today and glanced at a few items that were not here 50 years ago when you started your career. Here’s a short list: Gala Apples, Granny Smith Apples, Fuji Apples, Braeburn, Pink Lady and Honeycrisp Apples, Sweetened dried Cranberries, Kiwifruit, Gold Pineapple, Portabella Mushrooms, Grape Tomatoes, Cluster Tomatoes, Cocktail Tomatoes, Personal sized Watermelons, whole-peeled Mini-Carrots, Pluots, Fresh-Cut Salads, Broccolini, Cutie Tangerines, Red Flame Seedless Grapes… Well, I could go on. There is an old Chinese proverb that says, “If you want to sell more candles, bang a big drum.” You have been the “big drum” in our industry. Thanks for all that you have done, all that you have influenced, and all who you have led.
Anita- You were George’s favorite niece and once I got to know you, mine as well. We’ve been close for the 68 years I’ve been in your family and I hope it goes on for another 68 years.
I’ve known Anita my entire life due her friendship with my mom. We became good professional friends when my own career brought me into the food marketing realm as an editor at Supermarket News and as a consultant since. She’s an outstanding pro, and quite worthy of the admiring comments collected here.
I will always remember your special kindness allowing me to stay with you in your apt. when I was living in Queens and Nat was very ill confined to NYU Hospital. I will always treasure your generous hospitality and emotional support during this very difficult time.
Anita,
Thanks for all the wonderful PR campaigns over the years that
• Launched Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing at retail and in the food service industry where it quickly became spectacularly successful as the result of the imaginative work you did to help operators understand its “signature” possibilities.
• Helped successfully rollout Progresso Soup nationally in a category considered synonymous with the competitor.
• Created 12 times more exposure for Hollywood Safflower Oil than the brand’s ad campaign (with one tenth the spending).
• Made an extended press tour for the founder’s son and mainstream recipe development work the lynch pin in building a 75% share of market nationally for Mrs. T’s Pierogies.
You’ve always had that unique ability to identify and build on a brand’s inherent strengths in ways that made it newly relevant and appealing. And, in the process always been a consummate professional and a good friend.
If I ever had to put a food business on the line with the help of just five people, you would be one of them. And you were.
Even though I was just worked on projects once in a blue moon, I would pleasantly surprised when Anita would call and say that she was just thinking of me an wanted to know how I was doing.
I also remember going through cases and cases of avocados just to find that perfect one. This is the type of caring and perfectionist professional that she is. Thank you for making part of your world. Enjoy many many years of fun and relaxation.
Anita, it’s been a pleasure to work with you during my years here at GH. I can only hope to be half as respected and well-regarded when I retire!
I’ve known Anita for ages, she introduced me to food and New York, and helped me move along in my career. I first met her when I was pretty green, and she ALWAYS treated me with the utmost respect, even though I was the client with no experience! I also admired how she somehow managed to be the consummate professional and still put her family first.
Anita is the dearest friend anyone can have. She always detects when something is wrong and like Mary Poppins she suddenly appears. We don’t know how she gets her information. Perhaps it’s psychic vibes. She never misses. Anita is so caring, so reliable and a heart of gold. We feel so fortunate to have such a super friend. Best wishes forever. Joan and Mal.
Hi Anita — Welcome to the ranks of the newly retired. I’m still keeping my hand in with my niece’s candy company, Artisan Candies, and I am sure you will find similar challenging things to do as well. But now you can do it on your own time and enjoy what the rest of the world has to offer. Congratulations and have a great next phase of your life. Cheers! Pat