Amanda Rockman on the Real Pastry Chef Life: Pressure, Craft, and Survival Ep. 179
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 episode is direct, unfiltered insight for pastry cooks, chefs, and anyone considering pastry as a career.Links & ResourcesSubscribe on Substack → https://chefspsa.substack.com/Shop Chef’s PSA Merch → https://shop.chefspsa.com/Visit Chef’s PSA Website → https://chefspsa.com/Chef Works (Sponsor) → https://www.chefworks.com/ — Promo code chefspsa20Follow Amanda Rockman → https://www.instagram.com/arockman/
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Behind the Scenes with Legendary Chefs: Lessons from Ducasse, Gras & Splichal with Andrew Turner Ep. 178
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 the kitchen, how to handle career pivots, and why understanding ingredients is the foundation of every lasting culinary career.Topics:– Lessons from Ducasse and Gras– The evolution of fine dining culture– Building and managing a wine program– Transitioning from chef to entrepreneur– How mentorship shapes a chef’s careerAndrew Turner on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valley_wine_merchants/Links & ResourcesSubscribe on Substack → https://chefspsa.substack.com/Shop Chef’s PSA Merch → https://shop.chefspsa.com/Visit Chef’s PSA Website → https://chefspsa.com/SponsorsChef Works → https://www.chefworks.com/ — Use promo code CHEFSPSA20 for 20% off your orderBragard USA → https://www.bragardus.com/ — Use promo code CHEFSPSA20 for 20% off your order
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Ron McKinlay on Pop-Ups, Pressure & Mental Health Ep. 177
Chef Ron McKinlay joins André Natera to talk pop-up dinners, cooking techniques, and mental health in the culinary industry.From mastering meat cookery to navigating post-restaurant life, Ron shares the lessons, struggles, and small victories that come with a life in food. This episode is both raw and inspiring — a reminder that great cooking and self-awareness go hand in hand.Follow Ron on InstagramRon's Spotify PlaylistChef's PSA Hip Hop Playlist on SpotifySponsored by Bragard USA — bragardus.comUse code CHEFSPSA20 for 20% off.Subscribe on Substack → https://chefspsa.substack.com/Shop Chef’s PSA Merch → https://shop.chefspsa.com/Visit Chef’s PSA Website → https://chefspsa.com/
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Thriving in Hell’s Kitchen with Chef James Avery : Ep 176
What’s it like working beside Gordon Ramsay on Hell’s Kitchen?In this week’s Chef’s PSA, I sit down with Chef James Avery, Ramsay’s sous chef on Hells Kitchen, mentor, chef, mental health and wellness advocate. We get to talk about leadership, wellness, and what it takes to thrive in one of the most high-pressure kitchens in the world.James Avery on InstagramSponsored By Bragard USAThis episode is brought to you by Bragard USA — makers of the world’s best chef coats and uniforms.Receive 20% off your next order with code CHEFSPSA20 → https://bragardus.comLinks & ResourcesSubscribe on Substack → https://chefspsa.substack.com/Shop Chef’s PSA Merch → https://shop.chefspsa.com/Visit Chef’s PSA Website → https://chefspsa.com/
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Chef Adrienne Cheatham on Authenticity, Top Chef & Kitchen Leadership | Ep. 175
Join André Natera on Chef’s PSA as he sits down with Chef Adrienne Cheatham—James Beard Award semifinalist and former Top Chef contender. Together they cover her evolution from the elite kitchens of Le Bernardin to the pressures and freedom of private-chef life.We dig into seasoning, knife work, kitchen presentation, brand building and the meaning of staying true to your voice in a changing culinary world.Links & ResourcesSubscribe on Substack → https://chefspsa.substack.com/Shop Chef’s PSA Merch → https://shop.chefspsa.com/Visit Chef’s PSA Website → https://chefspsa.com/BragardUSA → https://bragardus.com — Use promo code chefspsa20 for 20% offJames Beard Foundation → https://www.jamesbeard.orgChef Adrienne Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/chefadriennecheatham/
Chef’s PSA with André Natera gives chefs direct, practical insight into the real industry. Each episode breaks down how chefs are evaluated, how kitchens actually run, and what separates strong cooks from everyone else. Conversations with top chefs, operators, and leaders reveal the standards, pressure, discipline, and execution required to build a serious culinary career. Weekly episodes for chefs who want to stay sharp.
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andre-natera/subscribe
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