With two years of experience as a Corporate Flight Attendant based out of Teterboro Airport (KTEB), Jessika Ariza had stepped forward to show us how to hit the busy streets in style. Before we take our inside tour of the best places in the New York / New Jersey area, let’s get to know a bit more about Jessika’s background.
Jessika is a bilingual (English and Spanish) Contract Flight Attendant who graduated from FACTS Training School. She has worked on several types of aircraft, including Gulfstream, Falcon and B767. She received the 2012 Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians Scholarship from the NBAA at the Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians Convention in Chicago. Not only is she a stellar flight attendant, but she also has a background as a Licensed Nurse Practitioner, Medical Assistant and has over nine year of hospitality experience.
Jessika, like many of us, is a foodie and while she is busy flying around the world, she also takes time to sample the local cuisine. Just last week, while she was in Biarritz, France where she visited several amazing restaurants. When asked what her favorite meal there was, she replied, “Crab rolls for an appetizer, followed by steak on a stick with homemade potato fries and a pina colada dessert.” When we asked what her favorite food is of all time, she said, “Arroz con pollo and tostones de platano verde.” Her favorite destinations are, “Anguila Island because it is very peaceful and beautiful, as well as London, because it is a great place with a variety of things to do.” But she loves Rome more than any other destination “because the architecture is mind blowing!”
When asked about what she likes about the New York / New Jersey area, Jessika stated, “I love Broadway, Central Park, the museums in the area and the abundant culinary delights that remind me of my world travels.” She added, “New Jersey has plentiful green areas where you can breathe pure air and visit local farms to buy fresh products year-round. It is convenient that you can be within an hour of the city and 90 minutes of the beach, so you have the best of both worlds always at your fingertips.”
Getting down to discussing New York / New Jersey dining, Jessika shared with us that her favorite local meals are Spaghetti Bolognese from Trattoria Toscana, Masitas de Puerco from Mambo Tea House and she claims that the best dessert is 3 Leches Postre from Mambo Tea House. Her top two places to eat in New York City are Victor’s Café and Scalinatella Italian Restaurant. Next time you are in the New York / New Jersey area, or need a contract flight attendant, contact Jessika Ariza at jessikariza@live.com. Stay safe and safe travels everyone!
This article is part of a series of interviews we are conducting with contract cabin crew members; individuals not employed by Air Culinaire Worldwide. If you would like to be considered for an interview, which is posted on our blog and all of our social media accounts, please contact socialmedia@airculinaire.com.
