Kitchen Rags to Riches

Eric Robertson shares his journey from aspiring cyclist to acclaimed chef, reflecting on the influences that shaped his culinary career and the evolution of the Canadian food scene. He opens up about the challenges of balancing work and family, the importance of authentic leadership, and the value of surrounding yourself with supportive teams in the kitchen. Eric also discusses the process of writ...

Ozoz Sokoh shares her transformative journey from geology to gastronomy, embracing a passion for food that blends science, culture, and creativity. She reveals how her blog, Kitchen Butterfly, became a therapeutic outlet, helping her overcome perfectionism while documenting and preserving West African culinary traditions. Ozoz highlights the power of cookbooks and platforms like Feast Afrique to c...

Alberto Aguilar shares his journey from childhood inspirations in Spain to founding Plantaform, a Canadian startup pioneering NASA-inspired fogponics for indoor gardening. He opens up about overcoming skepticism, learning from startup failures, and achieving a major breakthrough when his plants thrived — culminating in a $400,000 investment on Dragons’ Den Canada. Alberto discusses how COVID-19 sp...

Matt Taylor shares his journey from struggling with addiction in high-pressure kitchens to building a career focused on mental health, balance, and sustainable seafood. He opens up about the challenges of the restaurant industry, the culture of substance use, and the importance of self-care, therapy, and community support for chefs. Matt also dives into his philosophy at Affinity Fish, highlightin...

Joshna Maharaj shares her journey from community kitchens to creating real social impact in the culinary world. She breaks down the challenges of racism, the importance of cultural representation, and how chefs can use food to drive inclusivity, reconciliation, and social change. Joshna highlights the evolving role of chefs beyond fine dining, the power of intercultural creativity, and why aspirin...

Chef Ned Bell traces his path through one of the most diverse culinary careers in Canada, revealing how a commitment to sustainable seafood and nourishing food shaped his philosophy. He breaks down the evolving meaning of success, the role of cultural influences in defining Canadian cuisine, and why daily structure and healthy habits are essential in an industry battling mental health and substanc...

Chef and forager Nick Chindamo, known as NickOfNorth, shares how a childhood spent learning the land became a career built on landscape literacy and culinary innovation. He explains his transition from kitchen life to full-time forager, why meticulous foraging shapes great cooking, and how mentorship guided his evolution. Nick breaks down the hidden richness of PEI’s terrain, the power of hyperloc...

Evelyn Chick opens up about her rise from early days in hospitality to becoming one of the most respected voices in food and beverage. She breaks down how she turned pandemic uncertainty into Evelyn Chick Projects, created one of the most successful cocktail kit programs in the country, and built the foundation for bars recognized on the 50 Best list. Evelyn shares the realities of entrepreneurshi...

Welcome to the very first episode of Kitchen Rags to Riches with your host, Imrun Texeira . In this episode, I share why I started this podcast and the mission behind it. We will dive into the realities of building a career in the food and hospitality industry; the highs, the lows, and everything in between. From years spent mentoring students and young professionals to working in kitchens around...