CULINARY MECHANIC

CULINARY MECHANIC

by Simon Zatyrka
Food

#37: Continuous Learning and Adaptability as a Career Strategy with Robert Simmelink

In this episode of Culinary Mechanic, we sit down with Robert Simmelink, Director of Culinary Services at Ignite Food Service Solutions, for a deep dive into the evolving world of food service and culinary careers. Robert shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings as a dishwasher to his current role as a leader in the food service equipment industry. With 27 years of experience at a single company, Robert offers unique insights into career longevity and the importance of continuous adaptation in the culinary world. Key topics discussed: Career Evolution: Robert details his path from culinary school to high-end kitchens, and eventually to the corporate side of food service. He emphasizes the importance of embracing new challenges and continuously learning throughout one's career. The Changing Face of Institutional Dining: We explore the transformation of school and university cafeterias into sophisticated food courts, rivaling public dining spaces. Robert discusses how changing consumer expectations and the influence of food media have driven this evolution. Technology and Innovation in Food Service: Robert shares fascinating anecdotes about the development of culinary equipment, including how chefs collaborate with engineers to create more efficient and durable kitchen tools. The Impact of Social Media: We delve into how platforms like Instagram have not only changed how chefs promote themselves but also influenced menu design and food presentation, even in institutional settings. Culinary Education and Professional Development: Robert discusses the importance of staying current in the industry, sharing how he implemented a program allowing corporate chefs to stage at high-end restaurants like The French Laundry. The Future of Food Service: We explore emerging trends in the industry, including the growing emphasis on sustainability, efficiency, and the integration of technology in kitchen operations. Throughout the episode, Robert provides valuable advice for aspiring chefs and food service professionals, emphasizing the diverse career paths available in the industry beyond traditional kitchen roles. His stories and insights offer a unique perspective on the intersection of culinary arts, technology, and business in the modern food service landscape. Whether you're a seasoned chef, a culinary student, or simply passionate about the food industry, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration from a true veteran of the field. Follow and Connect with Robert https://www.instagram.com/chefrobertsimmelink/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-simmelink-46a08115/ https://ignitefoodservice.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@IgniteFoodservice/podcasts Follow and Connect with Simon www.culinarymechanic.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ Simon's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-zatyrka/ ⁠⁠⁠Simon's Instag⁠⁠ram⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/simonsez.me ⁠Simon's Tiktok⁠: https://www.tiktok.com/@simonsez.me Simon's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@simonsez-me Book a Call with Simon⁠: https://calendly.com/culinarymechanic/chat Simon's email: simon@culinarymechanic.com
Sep 24, 2024
37:14

#36: Engineering Restaurant Success: Lessons from The Restaurant Boss with Ryan Gromfin

Join Ryan Gromfin, 'The Restaurant Boss,' as he shares his journey and insights on revolutionizing restaurant management. Discover the power of micromanaging systems, not people, and why the industry desperately needs change. Follow and Connect with Ryan www.therestaurantboss.com www.clickbacon.com https://www.youtube.com/@Therestaurantboss https://www.instagram.com/ryangromfin/ Follow and Connect with Simon www.culinarymechanic.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Simon's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-zatyrka/ ⁠⁠Simon's Instag⁠⁠ram⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/simonsez.me/ ⁠Simon's Tiktok⁠: https://www.tiktok.com/@simonsez.me/ Simon's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@simonsez-me Book a Call with Simon⁠: https://calendly.com/culinarymechanic/chat Simon's email: simon@culinarymechanic.com
Sep 10, 2024
47:57

#35: From Chef to Breath: Managing a Career and the Stress of the Kitchen with Dave Gieselman

In this eye-opening episode of the Culinary Mechanic podcast, host Simon Zatyrka sits down with Dave Gieselman, a former chef who's transformed his career into a breath work expert and stress management coach. Dave shares his remarkable journey from the chaos of professional kitchens to a life dedicated to helping others find calm in high-pressure environments. Key topics covered: [00:01:30] Dave's early start in the culinary world at age 13 [00:05:45] The addictive nature of kitchen chaos and its impact on mental health [00:10:20] Dave's struggle with substance abuse and the turning point in his early 20s [00:15:30] The 25-year journey into neuroscience, peak performance, and flow states [00:22:15] Introduction to the "Just fucking breathe" philosophy [00:28:40] Transitioning from professional kitchens to coaching and speaking [00:35:10] The importance of recognizing when it's time to leave the culinary industry [00:41:30] Dave's daily routine for stress management and personal growth [00:48:55] Practical advice for listeners looking to implement breath work and mindfulness Listeners will gain valuable insights into managing stress in high-pressure environments, the importance of self-care in the culinary industry, and practical techniques for achieving peak performance without sacrificing mental health. Whether you're a seasoned chef, an aspiring cook, or anyone navigating a stressful career, this episode offers a fresh perspective on balancing passion with well-being. A former professional chef with decades of experience in high-performance environments, Dave now focuses on Coaching, Speaking, and Breathwork. A pressure-management specialist with a deep understanding of neuroscience, flow state, and the tools of high performance. Follow and Connect with Dave website: https://become-limitless.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-g-limitless/ https://www.instagram.com/daveg_limitless https://www.facebook.com/DaveGLimitless/ https://www.tiktok.com/@daveg.limitless https://www.youtube.com/c/BecomeLimitless Follow and Connect with Simon www.culinarymechanic.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ Simon's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-zatyrka/ ⁠⁠⁠Simon's Instag⁠⁠ram⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/simon_zatyrka/ ⁠ Simon's Tiktok⁠: https://www.tiktok.com/@simon_zatyrka ⁠⁠ Simon's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@simonsez-me Book a Call with Simon⁠: https://calendly.com/culinarymechanic/chat Simon's email: simon@culinarymechanic.com
Sep 3, 2024
46:44

#34: Flames, Leadership and Community: A Chef's Culinary Adventure with Cory Untch

Experience the primal allure of cooking with fire as Chef Cory Untch shares his passion for outdoor cuisine. From Forbes five-star restaurants to mountaintop dinners, Corey reveals how he creates unforgettable dining experiences and ignites culinary passion in others. Follow and Connect with Cory Cory's Email: cory@infinityculinary.com Cory's website: https://www.infinityculinary.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-untch-52067a49/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untch01/ Follow and Connect with Simon • www.culinarymechanic.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ • Simon's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-zatyrka/ • ⁠⁠⁠Simon's Instag⁠⁠ram⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinary.mechanic • ⁠Simon's Tiktok⁠: https://www.tiktok.com/@culinarymechanic • Simon's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@culinarymechanic • Book a Call with Simon⁠: https://calendly.com/culinarymechanic/chat • Simon's email: simon@culinarymechanic.com
Aug 29, 2024
49:05

#33: Building a BBQ Brand with Perfect Plates and Undeniable Hospitality with Charlie Eblen

Uncover the secrets behind Charlie's barbecue business success. From food truck to brick-and-mortar restaurant, learn how he's building a barbecue empire based on quality, hospitality, and community engagement. Follow and Connect with Charlie Single Tree Nation Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@singletreebbq https://www.instagram.com/singletreebbq/ https://www.tiktok.com/@singletreebbq https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlieeblen/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/single-tree-bbq/ Follow and Connect with Simon ⁠⁠ www.culinarymechanic.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ Simon's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-zatyrka/ ⁠⁠⁠Simon's Instag⁠⁠ram⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinary.mechanic Simon's Tiktok⁠: https://www.tiktok.com/@culinarymechanic Book a Call with Simon⁠: https://calendly.com/culinarymechanic/chat Simon's email: simon@culinarymechanic.com
Aug 20, 2024
38:57

#32: An Inside Look at Community Crowdfunding for Restaurants with Ross Chanowski

Join us as we explore the intersection of technology, community, and cuisine with Ross Chanowski of NuMarket. Learn how this groundbreaking crowdfunding platform is dishing out hope to struggling restaurants while giving food enthusiasts a chance to invest in their local favorites. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about preserving the heart and soul of their community's food scene. Ross Chanowski is the founder of NuMarket, a platform that introduces an innovative approach to crowdfunding, particularly aimed at supporting food & drink businesses. By allowing contributors to invest in businesses with a higher return in credit, Chanowski's model benefits both the businesses in need of funding and the contributors looking for value. His initiative with NuMarket reflects a deep commitment to fostering community growth and supporting local enterprises through creative financial solutions. Ross holds a Masters in Social Entrepreneurship from the London School of Economics and a BA in Public Policy from the University of Michigan. Follow and Connect with Ross www.numarket.co Ross's IG: https://www.instagram.com/rchanowski/ NuMarket's IG: https://www.instagram.com/numarket.co/ Ross's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosschanowski/ Follow and Connect with Simon ⁠⁠www.culinarymechanic.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Simon's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Simon's Instag⁠⁠ram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Simon's Tiktok⁠ ⁠Culinary Mechanic on YouTube⁠ ⁠⁠Book a Call with Simon⁠ Simon's email: simon@culinarymechanic.com
Aug 13, 2024
31:37

#31: On a Mission to Democratize Ai for Restaurants with Matt Wampler

Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming the restaurant industry in this eye-opening episode. Matt Wampler of Clear Cogs discusses his journey from sandwich slinger to AI entrepreneur, offering insights on technology adoption and the future of dining Matt is an ex-operator turned tech-founder. He spent close to a decade as a Jimmy Johns franchisee winning awards for Highest COMP and Highest Sales Increase in the chain. Matt is currently the CEO of ClearCOGS with the mission to empower restaurants with the information they need to run more smoothly and profitably. He's deeply passionate about the industry and is hyper-focused on bridging the gap between the potential of AI and the everyday realities of running a restaurant. Follow and Connect with Matt and ClearCOGS Company Socials https://www.facebook.com/ClearCOGS/ https://twitter.com/ClearCogs https://www.instagram.com/clearcogs/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/clearcogs/ https://www.threads.net/@clearcogs https://www.tiktok.com/@clearcogs Personal Socials https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjwampler/ https://twitter.com/w_a_m_p_l_e_r https://www.threads.net/@matthew.wampler https://www.instagram.com/matthew.wampler/ Follow and Connect with Simon ⁠⁠www.culinarymechanic.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Simon's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Simon's Instag⁠⁠ram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Simon's Tiktok⁠ ⁠Culinary Mechanic on YouTube⁠ ⁠⁠Book a Call with Simon⁠ Simon's email: simon@culinarymechanic.com
Aug 6, 2024
37:16

#30: Cooking Up Disruption: Transforming Chefs into Entrepreneurs with Christian J. Fischer

Join host Simon Zatyrka as he interviews Christian Fischer, the 'Disruptive Chef,' who shares his journey from Austrian kitchens to becoming a culinary entrepreneur. Discover how Fischer is revolutionizing the chef industry with innovative approaches to masterminds,side hustles, book writing, and purchasing power. Follow and Connect with Christian Christian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christianjfischer/ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedisruptivechef/ Christian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianjfischer/ Christian's website: https://www.christianjfischer.com/ Podcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thedisruptivechef Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedisruptivechef Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisruptiveChefCommunity/ Christian's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theofficialchristianjfischer/ Follow and Connect with Simon ⁠⁠www.culinarymechanic.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Simon's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Simon's Instag⁠⁠ram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Simon's Tiktok⁠ ⁠Culinary Mechanic on YouTube⁠ ⁠⁠Book a Call with Simon⁠ Simon's email: simon@culinarymechanic.com
Jul 30, 2024
33:01

#11: Cooking at the Ritz to Island Living on St. Barths with Jarad McCarroll

Join us as we delve into the remarkable journey of Chef Jared McCarroll, from his formative years in South Africa to the bustling kitchens of London, and finally to the tranquil shores of St. Bart's Ocean Club. Discover how loss, determination, and a deep love for hospitality shaped Chef Jared's path, leading him to create a culinary haven in one of the world's most exclusive destinations. Website: https://oceanclubstbarths.com/ Instagram: @jarad_mccarroll @oceanclubstbarths
Mar 12, 2024
37:01

#10: From Chaos to Calling - An Inspiring Story of Change with Charlie Negrete

In this episode of Chef Journeys, Chef Simon is joined by Charlie Negrete, sharing a captivating tale of overcoming addiction, finding purpose in the culinary world, and working at Bracken's Kitchen to feed millions and teach others to work in the culinary world. Dive into Charlie's journey from chaos to calling, filled with raw honesty and inspiring moments of transformation. Website: https://www.brackenskitchen.org/ socials: Instagram: @brackenskitchen @chef_charlie_negrete
Mar 5, 2024
32:30
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