In this episode, Nikki Pettineo interviews Chef Josh Turek and discusses various topics related to food and mental health in the culinary industry. They talk about their love for food, their early experiences in the kitchen, and the importance of food in bringing people together. They also touch on the challenges and pressures faced by chefs and the need for mental health support in the industry. Josh shares his experience working at Disney and the challenges of the food and beverage industry. He discusses the long hours and high expectations, which led to burnout. However, he also mentions that there has been a shift in the industry towards prioritizing employee wellness and mental health. Companies are now offering services like yoga, meditation, and therapy to support their employees. Josh emphasizes the importance of valuing the well-being of employees and recognizes the changing landscape of the industry. In this final part of the conversation, Nikki and Josh discuss advice for their younger selves and their morning routines. They also play a game called '86 or 68' where they decide whether to keep or get rid of certain food trends. In the food news segment, they talk about the bankruptcy of Bucca de Beppo and the recall of mushroom chocolates and gummies. They end the conversation by sharing their favorite kitchen tools.keywordsfood, mental health, culinary industry, chefs, cooking, baking, upbringing, show tunes, Disney, food and beverage industry, long hours, burnout, employee wellness, mental health, advice, morning routines, game, food news, bankruptcy, recall, favorite toolstakeaways
- Food has the power to bring people together and create joyful memories.
- The culinary industry can be challenging and stressful, leading to mental health issues.
- There is a need for more open discussions about mental health in the culinary industry.
- Personal experiences and upbringing can shape one's passion for food and cooking.
- Show tunes and musicals can be a source of joy and inspiration for some people. The food and beverage industry, particularly at Disney, can be demanding and lead to burnout due to long hours and high expectations.
- There has been a shift in the industry towards prioritizing employee wellness and mental health, with companies offering services like yoga, meditation, and therapy.
- Valuing the well-being of employees is crucial for their longevity and loyalty to the company.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the need for mental health support in the industry.
- The pipeline of new talent in the industry is shrinking, making it even more important to prioritize employee well-being. Take time for yourself and prioritize work-life balance
- Be cautious when trying new food trends and products
- Stay informed about food recalls and safety issues
- Invest in quality kitchen tools that make cooking easier and more enjoyable
- Personal Experiences and Passion for Food
- Finding Joy and Inspiration in Show Tunes The Shift Towards Employee Wellness and Mental Health
- Valuing Employee Well-Being for Longevity and Loyalty Favorite Kitchen Tools
- 86 or 68: Food Trends Game
- "Food brings the family together even when they're all angry."
- "Everyone needs to eat, so you can always be a chef."
- "Being a sassy queer, you know, like, or it's like, there's these moments where like you're like, the whole point is like, and then that moment I snapped and I just gave them the sass or read them the tea."
- "Yeah, then we met and we've been in love ever since."
- "Yeah, there's not no the pipelines"
- "Valuing the well-being of employees is crucial for their longevity and loyalty to the company."
- "Take more time for yourself"
- "The value of your time is not always the value of that dollar"
