The Burnt Chef Journal

Real leadership. No fluff. Just honest conversation. This World Wellbeing Week, we're revisiting the panel discussion from our Burnt Brunch event in partnership with Planday - recorded live at art'otel London Battersea against the backdrop of Battersea Power Station. Host Mica Maurtua sits down with Cassie Davison, Michelle Moreno, and Kris Hall for a no-nonsense conversation about what modern hos...

What does it actually take to look after yourself on a long shift? Not in a wellness-buzzword way - in a real, practical, 'it's-3pm-and-you've-not-had-water-since-9am' kind of way. In this special episode of The Burnt Chef Journal, we bring you the recorded panel discussion from our Burnt Brunch event, hosted in partnership with Cornish Sea Salt. Over two focused hours, four brilliant contributors...

In September 2025, nine incredible individuals took on one of the world’s toughest challenges - climbing Mount Kilimanjaro! To raise funds and awareness for The Burnt Chef Project. But this wasn’t just about reaching the summit. It was about why they chose to climb. What The Burnt Chef Project means to them. The physical and mental challenges they faced along the way. And the moments on the mounta...

In this episode of The Burnt Chef Journal, we sit down with Tomeu, a chef who held a Michelin star for 15 years and made an uncommon decision in fine dining: to walk away from it in order to reclaim his wellbeing. Through an open and deeply honest conversation, Tomeu shares how pressure, an unsustainable business model, and the weight of ego impacted his mental health, his team, and his relationsh...

In our final episode before The Burnt Chef Journal takes a well-earned pause until 2026, we’re joined by hospitality veteran and leadership advisor Chris Tripoli for a deep and energising conversation about what truly drives long-term success in our industry: people. Chris shares why “Happy Staff = Happy Guests” isn’t just a slogan - it’s a strategy. We explore the shift from simply managing peopl...

In this illuminating episode, we explore one of the most overlooked pillars of human health - daylight. Two centuries ago, humans spent 90% of their time outdoors. Today, we spend 90% of our lives inside, and it’s taking a silent toll on our health, performance, and happiness. Our guest, Tony Macken, a lifelong advocate for outdoor living and workplace wellbeing, shares how modern lifestyles and i...

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, we’re joined by Clare Kenny — a leadership, culture, and wellbeing expert whose career has taken her across Europe and Asia, including leading Burberry’s global wellbeing strategy. Clare opens up about her personal journey through anxiety, addiction, burnout, and an ADHD diagnosis, and how these experiences shaped both her life and her mission to hel...

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Lara Luck - a passionate food entrepreneur, mother, and mental health advocate - to explore the powerful intersections of ambition, identity, and self-discovery. From launching a career in the food industry just six weeks after giving birth to navigating the overwhelming challenges of postpartum depression, Lara opens up about the moments that shaped her...

This week on The Burnt Chef Journal, Kris Hall is joined by Neil Rippington, Director of the College Community Programme at the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, and Stelios Kiosses, Course Director and Tutor in Culinary Psychology at the University of Oxford’s Department for Continuing Education, alongside his work as a psychotherapist, Clinical Lead, and author. Together, they explore the fascinat...

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions around suicide and mental health challenges. Please listen with care.  In this powerful episode of The Burnt Chef Journal, Kris Hall sits down with Burnt Chef ambassador Joe Bentley for an open and deeply personal conversation ahead of Suicide Prevention Day. Joe shares his journey through mental health struggles, including a life-altering breakdo...

We’re dipping into the archives this week and bringing back a powerful conversation with Simon The Butcher - Former Captain of the GB Butchery Team and owner of Surrey Hills Butcher and Deli. In this episode, Simon talks openly about the reality of long hours, high stress, and the impact this lifestyle has had on his mental and physical health. He also shares his experience with counselling, and w...

In this powerful and refreshingly honest episode, we sit down with Dr. Andres Fonseca, psychiatrist, co-founder, and CEO of Thrive Mental Wellbeing , to unpack the future of mental health and the myths of workplace wellbeing. With over 30 years of clinical experience, Andres brings a no-nonsense perspective to what’s working - and what’s not - in the world of mental health. We explore: Why “positi...

Hospitality is at a breaking point when it comes to mental health - 76% of managers and 85% of shift workers report symptoms of poor mental health or burnout. In this powerful conclusion to our Fired Up, Not Burnt Out series in partnership with Planday, we dive into the urgent question: how can we spot burnout early and stop it from spiraling? Join host Kris Hall (CEO & Founder, The Burnt Chef...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, chef and restaurateur Stevie McCarry peels back the layers of life in hospitality - from competing on Great British Menu to confronting addiction, depression, and type 1 diabetes. Stevie shares the raw realities of running a family-run business built on values, not just profit. We talk about the extra weight of doing things the right way, the lonelines...

In Part 2 of our Fired Up, Not Burnt Out webinar series in partnership with Planday, we dive deep into the heart of hospitality’s retention and recruitment challenges. The hospitality industry thrives on energy, passion, and dedication - but burnout is a growing threat that’s quietly fuelling high turnover and staff shortages. In this episode, we explore how to tackle this issue head-on, with prac...

The hospitality industry is thriving on passion and energy, yet the hidden challenge of burnout continues to affect both managers and frontline workers. In collaboration with Planday, we are launching a mini-series of online events to explore the critical topic of wellbeing in the hospitality sector, using research-driven insights and actionable tools to combat burnout. The series kicks off with 𝗣...

Chris Koch doesn’t let limitations or obstacles stand in his way. Despite being born without arms and legs, Koch grew up like any other small-town kid — playing road hockey, causing mischief at school, and helping out on his family farm. Neither he or his family treated his disability like a tragedy, and instead used it to fuel his dreams. Today, Koch is a motivational speaker who inspires his aud...

In this special Mental Health Awareness Week edition of The Burnt Chef Journal, host Kris Hall is joined by four inspiring voices from our global ambassador community - Louise De Beer, Matt Loughrey, Tony Lewis, and Louise Jackson - for a powerful, honest conversation about mental health in the hospitality industry. Together, they share personal stories of isolation, resilience, and the importance...

We’re re-releasing this inspiring episode from February 2021 for our growing audience who may not have discovered it yet. Join us as Michelin-starred chef Nathan Outlaw speaks with Kris from his base in Port Isaac. From early days in contract catering with his father, to working with the legendary Rick Stein, and eventually running his own award-winning restaurants, Nathan shares his honest and hu...

In this raw and powerful episode, Kris Hall, Founder of The Burnt Chef Project, sits down with Matt Smith, Director of External Affairs at Betknowmore UK, for a deeply honest conversation about addiction, mental health, and survival in high-pressure careers. Matt opens up about his personal journey through gambling addiction while holding down a demanding role, covering global football matches and...

Back in December 2024, Founder of The Burnt Chef Project, Kris Hall, joined fellow speakers for an episode of The Grit Makers Podcast talking resilience. We are fortunate to be able to share this episode on The Burnt Chef Journal with thanks to The Grit Makers. Listen in as Kris Hall joins Mouna Laaragat (Head of Success - The Grit Makers), Tom Cullen (Co-Founder - Zoplo), and Gosia Kalicka (Found...

In this episode of The Burnt Chef Journal, we sit down with Nio DiPietrantonio to explore the intense realities of life as a chef -  from the high-pressure world of hospitality to the deeply emotional experience of cooking in senior living communities. Nio shares how stress and caffeine overload in restaurant kitchens led to a minor stroke, prompting a shift in career. Now, as a chef in senior liv...

CHOW is transforming the food, beverage, and hospitality industry by prioritizing mental health conversations through group meetings, education, and advocacy. By creating protected spaces for open conversations, offering wellness resources, and fostering a strong community, CHOW helps industry workers manage stress, prevent burnout, and improve overall well-being. Through awareness and systemic ch...

This week, Kris Hall is joined by Drew Talbert (Bistro Huddy). Drew Talbert is the creator and star of Bistro Huddy, a wildly popular comedic series that humorously captures the chaos of restaurant life. In addition to his content creation, Drew is a professional actor and improv coach at the renowned Groundlings Theatre. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, Drew now lives in Los Angeles, CA, wit...

Chef Daniel Garwood has worked in some of the world’s top restaurants, from Australia to Michelin-starred kitchens in Seoul and New York. But beyond perfecting his craft, he’s passionate about reshaping the hospitality industry into a more sustainable and mentally supportive space. Inspired by Australia’s “R U OK Day” and troubled by South Korea’s rising suicide rates, Daniel launched a chef colla...