In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of On the Fly, I sit down with Chef Cristian Medrano, a culinary leader with a wealth of experience opening restaurants across various service levels and cuisines. But beyond his professional accomplishments, Chef Medrano shares a deeply personal journey: how he took charge of his mental health through the practice of meditation.

We dive into the challenges chefs and industry professionals face when balancing the high-pressure demands of the kitchen with personal well-being. Chef Medrano opens up about how mindfulness has not only transformed his own mental health but also shaped the way he manages his staff, emphasizing the importance of understanding each team member as an individual.

This episode highlights the often-overlooked mental health struggles in the culinary world and offers insightful strategies for creating a more mindful, supportive work environment. It’s a must-listen for anyone in the food industry—or anyone seeking to prioritize mental wellness in high-stress environments.

Executive Chef/F+B Director and fierce competitor, Chef Andres Prüssing and I sat down on a busy day in the middle of his bustling restaurant to get the feel of a busy hotel food and beverage operation. Chef Andres shares his desire to learn through all that he does in this great conversation.

I was fortunate to sit down for an awesome conversation with Chef Chris Coleman of Built On Hospitality. In this episode, I hear about how he started in food and his rise into the ranks as one of Charlotte's best known chefs. We discuss his restaurants, TV Appearances and how he balances family time with his career.

Follow Built on Hospitality on Instagram:

@goodyearhouse

@haymaker_clt

@oldtown_rockhill

@chiefs_noda

@folia.southend

or Chef Chris Coleman @chefccoleman

Become a Piedmont Culinary Guild Member by visiting the website: www.piedmontculinaryguild.com

Chef Lewis Donald wasnt always covered in soot and smelled like a smokeshack. In this episode, I sit down with the man behind Sweet Lews Barbecue to discuss his start, small business, electric unicycles, and as much as we could fit into 30 minutes!

Check Out Sweet Lew's Barbecue on the web: www.sweetlewsbbq.com

Or in Person at 923 Belmont Ave. Charlotte, NC 28205

On Instagram: @sweetlewsbbq

Driven by family and the desire to showcase the flavors of his hometown, Chef Oscar Johnson is always grinding! Hear how this James Beard nominee draws inspiration from nostalgia and whats next for his brand, Jimmy Pearls!

This one is a special one for me. Chef Finn Valbuena is the Sous Chef at 300 East Restaurant. He's having fun, on his way up the ladder, and learning as much as he can from whoever will teach him. Im INSANELY proud of this kid as he was one of my High School Culinary Students. Here, he shares his journey up until now. Cover photo for this episode of Finn and I at his High School Graduation!

She may be "34 and Bakes Things", But Pastry Chef Sam Ward is doing it her way at Wentworth and Fenn at Camp North End. The Lessons she's learned and the many influences along her journey, made this a fun interview.

Check out the Bakery Website: www.wentworthandfenn.com

IG: @wentworth_and_fenn

@campnorthend

Adam sits down with Chef Nicolas Daniels of Juneberry Ridge. Chef Reflects on his time in the business and the amazing things going on in his newest EC position at Juneberry.