Defining Balance

Melinda Dorn is an Industry Peer Support Specialist and Outreach Coordinator for Culinary Hospitality Outreach and Wellness (aka CHOW) a Denver based nonprofit whose mission it is to connect restaurant and hospitality workers with resources to support recovery and mental health. Their goal is to create a community where folks can share successes and struggles in life and at work, hear new ideas, take a pause and reconsider what matters. Prior to her role with CHOW, Melinda worked as a chef for almost 30 years in the US and abroad.  In that time, she discovered that what she really loved about the restaurant industry was it's people, so in 2016, she returned to college to study chemical and mental health in foodservice environments from an academic/clinical lens. CulinaRecovery Website: https://www.culinarecovery.com CHOW Website: https://www.chowco.org Kitchen Brain Website: https://www.kitchenbrainx.com Be Better Culinary Perspectives Website: https://www.bebettercp.com/coaching  

Harrison Keevil, Chef/Owner of the first "Virtual Food Hall," Multiverse Kitchens talks concept development, mental health, the state of the industry, and creating a positive work environment for his team.   Multiverse Kitchens Website: https://www.multiversekitchens.com   Follow Multiverse on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/multiversekitchens/   Kitchen Brain Website: https://www.kitchenbrainx.com   Be Better Culinary Perspectives Website: https://www.bebettercp.com/coaching  

Host Mike Matarazzo interviews Executive Director of Culinary Hospitality Outreach & Wellness (CHOW) Erin Boyle and Founder of CHOW John Hinman.  These two guests offer hospitality professionals some amazing resources for mental health and creating better work environments.

Host Mike Matarazzo gives an overview of what to expect in Season 2 For information on Life and Leadership Coaching go to: https://www.bebettercp.com Kitchen Brain Website https://www.kitchenbrainx.com YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/kitchenbrain Follow Kitchen Brain on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kitchenbrain_podcast  

In this micro episode, Mike lends his perspective on Balance Kitchen Brain Website https://www.kitchenbrainx.com Chefs for Change Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/3698740926813323 Be Better Culinary Perspectives Website https://www.bebettercp.com  

Chef Bryan Skelding is the Executive Chef of the renowned Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV.  In addition to leading a massive brigade, Bryan also oversees one of the oldest and most prestigious Culinary Apprenticeship programs in the world.  In this episode, Skelding talks about his career path through the industry, the evolution of his leadership style, and how he has made positive changes to preserve the relevance of the Apprenticeship program. The Greenbrier Website: https://www.greenbrier.com Bryan Skelding's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryanskelding Kitchen Brain Podcast Website: https://www.kitchenbrainx.com Kitchen Brain Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kitchenbrain_podcast Mike Matarazzo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matarazzom1 Be Better Culinary Perspectives Website: https://www.bebettercp.com  

Lindsey Ofcacek is both a co-founder and the director for The LEE Initiative, which launched in late 2017 and has a mission of addressing issues of diversity and equality in the restaurant industry. Since launching The LEE Initiative, Ofcacek has created several programs under its umbrella, including Women Chefs of KY; Restaurant Workers Relief Program; Restaurant Reboot Relief Program; Regrow; and McAtee Community Kitchen. Prior to starting The LEE Initiative, Ofcacek worked with Chef Edward Lee at 610 Magnolia as the general manager and wine director. Ofcacek has worked in almost every part of the food business, from farming and distribution to cooking and managing. Prior to joining the team at 610 Magnolia, Ofcacek helped open Decca, working as the front of house manager and then events manager. She has devoted years of tireless work in the local food community. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, listening to records, and hosting dinner parties inspired by Martha Stewart. Lee Initiative Website https://leeinitiative.org Lee Initiative Instagram https://www.instagram.com/leeinitiative Edward Lee Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chefedwardlee Kitchen Brain Podcast Website https://www.kitchenbrainx.com Kitchen Brain Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kitchenbrain_podcast Mike Matarazzo Instagram https://www.instagram.com/matarazzom1 Be Better Culinary Perspectives Website https://www.bebettercp.com  

Joe Leonardi is a Certified Master Chef and the Director of Culinary Operations at The Country Club in Brookline, MA.  He recently fell in love with Beekeeping and has started his own business, Leonardi Apiary and Garden in which he produces unique, sustainable, high quality products from the honey and wax that he harvest from his hives.  In this episode Joe takes us deep into his journey to become a Certified Master Chef and also teaches us a bit about the world of beekeeping and how he is turning this new passion into a unique business model. Leonardi Apiary and Garden Website https://www.allthingshoneyandmore.com Leonardi Apiary and Garden Instagram https://www.instagram.com/leonardiapiary/ American Master Chefs Order Website https://www.americanmasterchefsorder.org Kitchen Brain Podcast Website https://www.kitchenbrainx.com Kitchen Brain Podcast YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/kitchenbrain Kitchen Brain Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kitchenbrain_podcast/ Be Better Culinary Perspectives Website https://www.bebettercp.com  

Tyler Teass is the Chef/Owner of Al + Mae's in Crozet, VA.  Earlier in his career he worked his way through the kitchens of Charlottesville and eventually became the Executive Sous Chef of Rose's Luxury in DC and was part of the team when they earned their first Michelin Star.  After starting a family and some self reflection, Tyler decided to return home and start Al + Mae's which offers off site catering, in home catering and custom menus to provide a unique dining experience from a very talented Chef. Al + Mae's Website https://www.almaescrozet.com/ Al + Mae's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/almaescrozet/ Kitchen Brain Podcast Website https://www.kitchenbrainx.com Kitchen Brain YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/kitchenbrain Kitchen Brain Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kitchenbrain_podcast/  

Host Mike Matarazzo interviews co-owner of Chantilly Patisserie in Bronxville, NY, Mariana Delgado Gambini Prough.  During the interview Mariana discusses the struggles that she faced earlier in her career as a female in a professional kitchen and how she overcame those struggles.  The two also get into other hot topics like toxic leadership styles and their mutual feelings toward restaurant reviewing websites like Trip Advisor and Yelp. All episodes are also available on Youtube www.youtube.com/c/kitchenbrain  Kitchen Brain Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kitchenbrain_podcast/ Chantilly Patisserie Website www.chantillybronxville.com Chantilly Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chantillypatisserie_