Cooking Your Way Through Life

Patience isn’t passive — it’s intentional, active, and often tested when progress feels slow. In this episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life, I’m joined by OG for a grounded conversation about patience in both life and the kitchen. We talk about how patience shows up when you’re building something meaningful and why comparing your journey to someone else’s only creates unnecessary pressure. On t...

Happy New Year — and welcome to the first episode of 2026. In this episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life, I’m taking a moment to acknowledge something important: we made it another year. With that comes reflection, intention, and the opportunity to start fresh. We talk about New Year’s resolutions — how to make them realistic, obtainable, and sustainable, and why consistency and effort matter m...

This is a special bonus holiday episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life. This Christmas, I had the chance to spend time with friends I hadn’t seen in over five years — Mollie and Ger — and it reminded me just how powerful chosen friendships can be. We’re born into family, but we choose our friends, and that choice creates a bond that can last years, even across distance and time apart. In this ep...

In this week’s episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life, Chef Drake Robertson (aka Chef Hollywood) is joined by Jamal and Lexi for an honest and thoughtful conversation about impulse — the thoughts and actions we make in the moment, often without slowing down to examine why. We dive into impulsive decision-making and ask the bigger questions: Are our impulses driven by gut instinct, emotion, or ha...

In this week’s episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life, Chef Drake Robertson (aka Chef Hollywood) sits down with his friend Warren Mullins — a former cruise director turned tattoo artist — for a real and reflective conversation about growth, both personal and professional. We talk about how growth doesn’t always look the way we expect, how sometimes we don’t even recognize our own progress, and h...

Connection shows up in our lives in more ways than we realize — through the people we love, the friendships we build, the cultures we explore, and the food that brings us together. Today’s episode dives into what connection truly means and how it shapes who we are. We start by exploring the difference between a deep personal connection — the kind where you feel vulnerable, valued, and fully seen —...

Change can be scary, exciting, uncomfortable, or transformational — sometimes all at once. In today’s episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life, I sit down with Spencer Jason, who grew up on the waters of Long Island and never expected that the ocean would become his workplace. Spencer began his journey as a Chef at Sea, but his curiosity and love for the salty air, breathtaking views, and constant...

In this week’s episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life, Chef Hollywood slows things down for the holiday and dives into the art of being present. Thanksgiving often gets overshadowed by the rush of Christmas, social expectations, and constant comparison — but this episode is all about grounding yourself in what’s right in front of you. We talk about how reflection during the holidays helps us app...

In this week’s episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life, Chef Hollywood sits down with Grant Martin — a comedian, creator, and close friend who calls himself the Mindful Comedian for the way he blends growth, humor, and reflection. 🌱😂 Together, we unpack the idea of failure — the personal missteps, career setbacks, and unexpected moments that taught us more than our successes ever did. From less...

In this week’s episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life, Chef Hollywood sits down with Brittany, owner and pastry chef of the Low country’s first mobile bakery — Declan’s Delights Co., a Best of Bluffton nominee. 🍰 Together, we dive into the idea of risk — the big leaps and small daily decisions that shape both our careers and our lives. From following passion projects to walking away from comfor...

n this episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life, we’re talking about gratitude — not just saying “thank you,” but truly shifting your mindset from glass half empty to glass half full. 🌿 Chef Hollywood dives into how practicing gratitude can change the way you cook, live, and appreciate the small things. We’ll also explore this week’s techniques: slow cooking and braising — two comforting, flavorf...

In this week’s episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life, Chef Drake Robertson (aka Chef Hollywood) sits down with Warren Mullins — a former cruise director turned tattoo artist with more opinions than facts — for a fun and fearless conversation about real fears vs. irrational fears, and how both can hold us back more than we realize. Together, we open up about facing fear, trusting change, and lea...

This week, we’re switching things up and having some fun. In this special episode, Chef Hollywood brings together every co-host from this quarter for a game of “Cooking Your Way Through Telephone.” Each co-host asks another co-host a question — no one knows what’s coming next — creating a fun, honest, and behind-the-scenes look at the people who help bring this podcast to life. Featuring: Warren,...

Discipline isn’t about being perfect — it’s about showing up, even when you don’t feel like it. In this episode, Chef Hollywood explores how building discipline in the kitchen mirrors building it in life. From learning French to hitting the gym or reading more, every habit starts with small, intentional steps — just like measuring every ingredient with care. Through the art of baking, Chef breaks...

I just wanted to share some information about the upcoming changes to the podcast and next week I'll drop the trailer for the new episodes that are on the way!

Today's episode is really fitting for the final episode of season 5. What is closure and do we need it every time or sometimes do we just need to move on? That is one of the things we talk about today and also having the ability to think clearly before making a decision. Today's recipe is a take on a crab boil, but done in the oven with loads of flavor.

Today's episode touches on the idea that we sometimes hold ourselves back because of fear when it comes to taking a leap of faith. There are different kinds of leaps that we can take with personal, professional and so on and they are all different. Today's recipe is Irish seafood chowder and it is so versatile but also packs a punch of flavor too.

On today's episode we go over what is Growth and what it looks like to each of us. Sometimes we feel like we are not growing fast enough or not at all, but we have to establish what is our definition of it. Today's recipe is Drunken Mussels and we go over this PEI recipe that has become the national dish of Belgium.

Todays' episode we dive deep into what exactly is imposter syndrome and how can we avoid or overcome it. Sometimes we just don't even know exactly why we are feeling this way and sometimes it's the people around us that make us feel it. Today's recipe are Samosas and they are great because they are packed full of flavor and can be tweaked to your personal tastes.

Today's episode dives into the idea of being the strong friend. This can be for those people who are the rock in their friend groups, family circles, or relationships. Today's recipe is a Buckwheat Gallet which is a French style savory crepe that you can customize anyway you like.

On this episode we dive in how to process grief if that is a thing that we can actually process. We also touch on the idea that grieving isn't just about people who passed on but sometimes about relationships that have failed or situations we are no longer a part of. Today's recipe is a Swedish Cardamon bun, which can be a sweet treat or a breakfast pastry.

This episode we dive into the idea of spinning the block and going back to someone or something that you use to be involved with. Today's recipe is Bunny Chow and it is a great dish that can be adapted to different flavors and needs.

In this episode we dive into the idea of getting into a long distance relationship.  While relationships are already hard, the idea to be there for someone while being across the world may be too scary for some.  Today's recipe is going over a Spanish Style Tortilla which is the perfect meal for morning, noon, or night.   Support the show

Today's episode is all about using all of the resources that you have at your disposal.  Sometimes we overlook the resources we do have and are too focused on the ones that we don't have access to.  Today's recipe is a really fun and delicious dish called Shaking Beef, a Vietnamese favorite.    Support the show

Today's episode is all about either misreading or just ignoring the signs that someone is just not that into you.  Sometimes we just want to hear or see what we want and live in the fantasy.  Today's recipe is Sweedish Meatballs and it is a perfect addition to your regular meals that you cook in rotation.   Support the show