Chef's PSA Podcast

Chef Amanda Rockman joins Chef’s PSA to break down the real pastry chef life—high pressure, long hours, technical discipline, and the mental toll that comes with it. With 20 years in Chicago’s top kitchens and a new bakery and coffee shop in Austin, she shares the truth about pastry work, insomnia, ingredient quality, modern management, and the realities of building a bakery from nothing. This epi...

Guest: Andrew Turner – Valley Wine Merchants (Newberg, Oregon) André Natera sits down with Andrew Turner to discuss what it takes to thrive in the world of haute cuisine. From working with legendary chefs like Alain Ducasse, Laurent Gras, and Joachim Splichal to running his own wine shop, Turner shares his journey through Michelin-level kitchens and beyond. Learn what separates good from great in...

What happens when you leave the stability of a restaurant to go it alone? Chef Ron McKinlay joins André Natera to break down the technical and emotional reality of the "Post-Restaurant" career path. They explore the transition from traditional brigades to the independent pop-up circuit, sharing lessons on: The Pop-Up Hustle: How to execute Michelin-level dinners without a permanent kitch...

What is it actually like to work beside Gordon Ramsay in the most high-pressure kitchen on television? Chef James Avery (The Blue Team Sous Chef) joins André Natera to pull back the curtain on Hell's Kitchen . They move beyond the drama to discuss the reality of TV cooking vs. professional kitchens: The Ramsay Standard: What it takes to survive as Gordon Ramsay’s right-hand man and the leaders...

How do you translate the discipline of a 3-Michelin-star kitchen into a personal brand? Chef Adrienne Cheatham (James Beard Semifinalist & Top Chef Finalist) joins André Natera to discuss her evolution from the elite brigade of Le Bernardin to the world of high-end private dining. They discuss the technical and mental shifts required to succeed outside of the traditional restaurant model: The...

Ever wonder what it’s like to run a kitchen with your spouse? Join André Natera on Chef’s PSA as he talks with chefs Eduardo and Elizabeth Espiritu, a husband-and-wife duo who know the highs and lows of kitchen life. From insane New Year’s Eve services to leadership lessons, funny disasters, and post-pandemic realities, this episode pulls back the curtain on what really goes down in the culinary w...

Chef Thomas Bille: From Garden to James Beard Glory | Chef’s PSA Podcast Chef André Natera sits down with Chef Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast in Spring, Texas — winner of the James Beard Foundation Best Chef: Texas award and recipient of a Michelin Bib Gourmand . They discuss his rise in the culinary world, the pressure of recognition, growing ingredients by hand, and the lessons of running —...

What is the difference between "cooking food" and "honoring ingredients"? Chef David Breeden joins André Natera for a philosophical and technical masterclass on what it means to cook at the highest level. They explore the balance between old-school discipline and modern innovation: The Foundation: A deep dive into classical stocks and sauces—why the basics are still the hardest...

Episode Description: Texas BBQ just earned Michelin recognition — and at the center of it is Ali Clem of Austin’s La Barbecue . In this episode of Chef’s PSA , host André Natera sits down with Ali to talk about her journey from food trucks to Michelin stars. You’ll hear about the legacy of Central Texas barbecue , the real costs of running a BBQ business, myths around brisket cooking, and how Mich...

In this episode of Chef’s PSA , André Natera talks with Chad Solomon, Director of Innovation at the Cooper Spirits Company. From Milk & Honey to Midnight Rambler, Chad shares lessons from 24 years behind the bar. They explore bartender-chef relationships, bar culture, hospitality, and profitability. Chad also recalls his 9/11 experience and the career shift that led him to bartending. A must-l...

Host André Natera sits down with Chef Patrick D. Mitchell —2016 ACF National Chef of the Year and corporate culinary ambassador for Ben E. Keith Foods—for a deep dive into the world of culinary competitions and chef certifications . Chef Mitchell shares personal stories from his career, insights into judging and preparation, and the value of professionalism and mentorship. For chefs pursuing certi...

In this episode of Chef’s PSA , André Natera sits down with Travis Petersen (the Nomad Chef) and Dan Kennedy (Pasta Bar, Austin) to explore cannabis cuisine, chef etiquette, and the chef competition circuit. From cannabis-infused dinners and terpenes to the realities of MasterChef and Top Chef , this episode delivers unfiltered insight into modern kitchens. If you’re curious about how cannabis is...

Join host André Natera in this episode of Chef's PSA as he sits down with Chef Eric LeVine, a Food Network Chopped Champion, award-winning chef, author, and cancer survivor. Chef LeVine shares his tumultuous journey through the culinary world, battling addiction and illness, and the crucial importance of authenticity and storytelling in the food and hospitality industry. From opening his first res...

Before he spent 13 years leading the kitchen at The French Laundry , David Breeden was just a kid trying to survive. In the most raw and powerful episode in Chef’s PSA history, David sits down with André Natera to share a life story defined by unthinkable loss and impossible resilience. This is not just a conversation about cooking. It is a 2-hour journey through the darkness that eventually led t...

Chef Edgar Rico and Sara Mardanbigi of Nixta Taqueria j oin André Natera to talk about the art of storytelling in the kitchen, the influence of hip hop on their work, and how they’ve built an award winning while uplifting their community. Fresh off major awards from Michelin and James Beard , they share what drives their creativity, how they manage pressure, and why team well-being matters as much...

What does it really take to build a successful career in today’s culinary industry? In this episode of Chef’s PSA , Chef Andre Natera sits down with Chef Kevin Fink of Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group for an unfiltered conversation on the realities of kitchen life, building and scaling restaurants, and finding balance outside of work. From the early days of opening Emmer & Rye to leading mult...

Join host André Natera on this episode of Chef's PSA as he sits down with Michelin Star Chef Phillip Frankland Lee, the mastermind behind renowned concepts like Sushi by Scratch, Pasta Bar, NADC Burger and the 'Not a Damn Chance' podcast. Together, they dive deep into the challenging journey of earning respect in the kitchen, maintaining a unique creative vision, and the art of buildin...

Mental Health, Mentorship & Running a NONPROFIT Culinary School! Join André Natera on this episode of Chef's PSA as he welcomes back Top Chef Season 18 winner Gabe Erales and Mike Diaz from Oseyo in Austin, Texas. They dive into a range of critical topics, offering unique perspectives from their diverse culinary journeys. Discover insights on legendary figures like Jacques Pepin, Gabriel's int...

CHEF ASHISH ALFRED: BAR RESCUE & The SHOCKING Truth About Running Restaurants! Join host André Natera in this engaging Chef's PSA episode as he chats with award-winning chef and restaurateur Ashish Alfred. Known for co-hosting Bar Rescue, Chef Alfred candidly discusses the raw realities of running a restaurant, the authenticity of reality TV, and his formative experiences working in France. Th...

Join Chef André Natera for a vital conversation on mental health and wellness within the demanding culinary industry. This episode features esteemed guests Chef Harold Villarosa from Oko in Austin, Texas, and Beto Ortiz, the visionary founder of Humans of the Kitchen and the 86 Challenge. This discussion bravely dives into the intense pressures, burnout, and necessary culture changes in kitchens....

Top Chef's Jo Chan EXPOSES Kitchen Truths: Mentorship, Competition & More! Dive into an exclusive conversation on the Chef's PSA Podcast with host André Natera and Austin Chef Jo Chan . Known for her captivating run on Top Chef and her formative years in distinguished New York kitchens under culinary legends Jonathan Waxman and Marcus Samuelsson , Chef Jo offers unparalleled insights into the...

There’s a difference. In this solo episode of Chef’s PSA, André Natera shares raw insights from the James Beard Awards and a powerful reflection on what it really means to thrive in the kitchen. From his visit to Charlie Trotter’s legendary restaurant to the chaotic, beautiful reality of line life, this episode pulls back the curtain on the fantasy vs. the grind. If you’re dreaming of becoming a c...

Will AI elevate the kitchen or erase the soul of cooking? In this episode of Chef’s PSA , André Natera sits down with Helene Kennan , founder of Kennan Food Strategies, and Coner Seargeant , VP of Restaurants at Headington Companies. Together, they break down the coming wave of artificial intelligence in restaurants —from menu engineering and kitchen efficiency to the cultural impact on chefs, edu...

In this episode of Chef’s PSA , host André Natera talks with Chef Casey Wall of Le Calamar in Austin . From his roots in Melbourne’s vibrant food scene to the challenges of navigating U.S. kitchen culture, Casey brings raw stories, honest advice, and plenty of laughs. They cover labor costs in Australia, what the Hat system really means, the importance of consistency in cooking, and how health and...

Join Chef Andre Natera in an engaging and thought-provoking conversation with Chef Dan Kennedy , the Head Chef of Pasta Bar in Austin . With over 20 years of experience in Michelin-starred restaurants, Chef Dan shares his journey from a young cook to leading one of Austin's top culinary destinations. In this episode, Chef Dan opens up about the challenges and realities of maintaining mental health...