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_

In this episode Mike interviews United States Army Sergeant First Class Retired, Rose Picard.  Rose is full of inspiration and tells her story of transitioning from Executive Pastry Chef of a Casino to joining the Army at age 39.  She also shares her battle with breast cancer while stationed at the Pentagon and how she was able to keep moving forward to many accomplishments including professional certifications and several medals in culinary and pastry competition.