Life Lessons A Chef's Insights: Recent Episodes
Chef Michael
An in-depth look at how the trying and demanding life of a chef can parallel the trials we all face; from our situational insecurities to our most memorable and celebrated successes. Come take a trip with me and together we will chop, slice and sift our way through life's many lessons with a chef's insightful twist!
February will mark 2 years of Life Lessons folks and I think this is where it all ends. Tune in for the thank you, because I couldn't have done it without everyone's support.
Maybe something new in the future, but for right now...Thanks for listening
How many times in our life have we believed that we have failed because we are very good at something we never wanted to do. Sometimes our hopes and dreams take a back seat to the path that we are on. We might be very good at doing something we never wanted to do, or simply never believed we would be doing!!!
Take a trip with me as we chop, slice and sift our way through one of life's many lessons with that chef's insightful twist.
Where did it go? Understanding! Forgiveness! Humanity.
If you have never listened to the program I encourage you to download this episode and share it with everyone you know.
Each episode we chop, slice and sift our way through one of life's many lessons with that chef's insightful twist.
You aren't the only one who feels trapped in an ever changing world!
I know it has been awhile folks! This episode focuses on the unfortunate situation we are all facing when we expect good service and fair pricing. Wait until you hear what has happened to me, because I'm sure it is happening to you.
Join me as we chop, slice and sift our way through another exciting episode!
In this fifty minute interview, we have the opportunity to sit with Chef Joe Taffurelli as he takes us through his journey from busboy to corporate chef over the last 20 years. Come with me as we chop, slice and sift our way through this exciting journey with Chef Joe!
As part of the season 2 interview series, I was fortunate enough to snag an interview with Executive Chef, Culinary Educator, Cook book author and Co-Founder of the Michael Magro Foundation Chef Paul Magro. I had the opportunity to work with Paul for over 25 years before he retired to continue his role on the board of directors of the Michael Magro Foundation, and of course his local guest appearances as food and wine consultant all over Long Island. Don't miss this episode as Chef Paul highlights some of the interesting adventures in the world of culinary arts.
As part of Season # 2, I will be interviewing some folks who have their roots in the food business or who have branched out a little farther to help those around them.
This episode features Samantha Farber a passionate and dedicated therapist, who aims to create a safe and supportive space for those struggling with eating disorders, disordered eating, and those managing anxiety, depression, life transitions, and trauma.
Come with me as we chop, slice and sift our way through this episode with former chef and friend to the show, Samantha Farber.
Come with me as we chop, slice and sift our way through the choices we make in our life. This episode looks at how choices, both good and bad effect our daily life and how each choice shapes our future.
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have more than others? Did they just get lucky? Were they born into a specific class? Or was it training and exposure along the way?
Come we with me as we chop, slice and sift our way through the cast system that seems to separate us all, and find out if you know the way up or out!
This month I added a special episode for the holiday season. As everyone goes out to eat and enjoy themselves, I think there are few things that every person should know. Do you know what a tip and a gratuity are? Have you ever wondered what a service fee really is and who pays for it? If so, then this episode is for you?
Come with me while we chop, slice and sift our way through another one of life's lessons with that chef's insightful twist!
If your life or business hasn't been going in the direction you were expecting, maybe the Diffusion of Innovation is just what you need.
Take a trip we me as we chop, slice and sift our way through one of life's many lessons with that chef's insightful twist. Be prepared as we discover how the diffusion of innovation makes the world go 'round!
Its time to chop, slice and sift your way into a healthier way of living!
In this episode we discuss some of the things that you may be doing that may not be as healthy as you would think. "I should start eating more bananas!" Should you? Check this episode out if you would like to know more about your own health and well being, and how food sourcing and food choices effect your life!
Sometimes envy is a motivator, sometimes its a crutch that stops us from being our best and sometimes it is just the thing we need to appreciate all that we already have.
Come with me as chop, slice and sift our way through this episode of Life Lessons A Chef's Insights...Envy!!
Not that Pandemic!!! In this episode we will explore the reasons why people aren't going back to work and what effect it will have on our collective future!
Is a socialized system killing work ethic? Or, is it just what we need?
Tune in to find out!
Sorry I was gone for a while, had to upgrade some equipment...but I'm back with more insights.
This week we discuss "Grace" and what happened to our ability to forgive each other.
How we view change affects every aspect of our lives and yet we all deal with change differently. This short insight is a quick piece designed to make you think a little more about how change can be more of a blessing than most of us may think!
Please keep listening and tell a friend! Thanks
Ever been in a situation where reconnection was right in front of you and you weren't sure how it would work out? Well this episode looks at how we connect and reconnect to each other and who is or isn't worth our time!
You don't have O.C.D. (well, unless you have O.C.D.). You are dedicated, some might even say obsessive, but is it healthy?
Come with me on a journey to chop, slice and sift our way through obsessive behavior that may reveal more about you than you think!
This one starts out a little "Chefly", but if you listen carefully, you'll find out that was really cooking in the kitchen was passion.
Be passionate about your life, your relationships, your work and yourself!
As always, I'm chef Michael and it is time to chop, slice and sift our way through a passionate way to live our life!
Do you wake up every morning and look in the mirror and thank yourself for being a contributing member of society, and the best human being you can be? Probably not! But you will give actors, actresses, politicians and sports stars all the credit for being heroes. Well, take a trip with me while we slice, chop and sift our way through hero worship.
Did you ever wonder how opportunity works? Did you ever question your life and wonder if you missed an opportunity, or if you were destined to be somewhere else? Well this exciting episode delves into the meaning behind some reasons you may have gained, lost or created opportunities for yourself or for someone close to you!
Join me as we chop, slice and sift our way through another one of life's lessons with that chef's insightful twist. Who knows, it might just be the opportunity you were waiting for.
Want to be healthier? Well, today we will discuss a few things that may help with your overall nutrition goals. Everything from baseline blood work to recommended ways to make healthier food choices.
Download this episode so you can chop, slice and sift y our way to a healthier way of life!
Did you ever wonder how you should be measuring success? Did you ever think it was important, or is it just expected that you will be successful?
Come with me as we chop, slice and sift our way through another one of Life's Lessons on our way to explore our own understanding of success.
Today, we discuss the" lonely" that surrounds all of us and how we get through it while combating the day to day.
Imagine starting your day in an empty room contemplating the meaning of your life and wondering if that lonely feeling you sometimes feel is just yours or do you share it with everyone else? In this episode we will find out, so come with me as with chop, slice and sift our way through loneliness...together!
Customer Service! Or in this case...lack there of!
Customer service is a very important part of restaurant life, but what about everyday life? Well, in this episode, I share with you three unique stories that happened to me over a two week period. So if you are prepared to hear the stories of a stark raving chef as he deals with the world outside the restaurant you are in for a treat. And when your finished, I bet you will know the difference between illegible and ineligible...and it won't cost you $3,100 to do it.
So get ready to chop, slice and sift your way through a customer service nightmare that didn't have to take place!
Have you ever been part of a systemic breakdown? Have you ever seen it unfold right before your eyes? Do you even know what one looks like? Well in this episode we explain how some basic restaurant mistakes can turn into a cascade effect that could leave your business in freefall!
Come with me as we slice, chop and sift our way through a life lesson that not only effects your restaurant experience but your working and family life as well!
If you have ever thought of owning a restaurant, or for that matter owning anything, how would you do it?
This episode discusses the basics of money management as it relates to long term planning. Imagine if you had started your business with the land, the business and then got to retirement a millionaire! Now imagine, you started your business; never saved to buy the property, and had to work until...well...forever, because you never developed a retirement portfolio or an exit strategy. In this episode we will explore some finance basics together!
As always, come with me as we slice, chop and sift our way through some life's many lessons with that chef's insightful twist.
Do you work in an environment that doesn't provide you the time you need to maintain stable and happy relationships, well so do most chefs. Find out how and why time can be your greatest asset or your greatest regret.
Let's get ready to chop, slice and sift our way through another insightful episode with chef Michael.
This exciting bonus episode covers a quick look at how our legacy may or may not determine how we proceed with our life's work.
If you ever wondered what a "real" legacy looks like, just take a look at how most chefs start and end their careers.
This episode highlights the emotional ups and downs that chefs may run into when your special day becomes their day to day.
You have no idea how hard it is to reconcile the emotional turmoil of life...or do you?
This week I bumped episode #3, but don't worry it will be posted next week! This week I wanted to post an interview I did with a culinary educator and personal friend Chef Frank Fortunato. Chef Frank has a unique look at the restaurant business from his early years in the restaurant up to his current career in the world of culinary education.
If you have an interest in culinary education, or would like some more information from Chef Frank, please let us know at chefsight@gmail.com.
As always, thanks for listening and enjoy the show.
Chef Michael
So, Is the fish fresh or not? Are you sure that's veal?
This episode highlights the importance of trust in the restaurant and in your daily life!
Take a few minutes to find out if you can trust the places you eat or the people around you as we share some of our chef insights with you.
This episode deconstructs the recipe as it is used in a restaurant, and shows the parallels between ingredients and methods and the decisions we make in our everyday lives.
I bet you never thought of your life as a list of ingredients that were carefully constructed and combined together to form the "Recipe for Your Life."
Come with me as we chop, slice and sift our way through a different kind of recipe!