In this episode of "What Is Food For You?", host Daniel Russek sits down with René González, the executive chef of Imperfecto, a Mediterranean-inspired Latin American restaurant in Washington, D.C. They discuss the unique challenges and joys of fine dining, the evolution of culinary traditions, and the importance of leadership and team dynamics in the kitchen. René shares his journey from cooking with his grandfather to leading one of D.C.'s top restaurants. The conversation touches on the balance between innovation and tradition in the culinary world, the responsibilities of chefs to promote sustainable and ethical food practices, and the evolving expectations of diners in the modern age. This episode offers valuable insights into the world of high-end cuisine, the creative process behind dishes, and the importance of consistency and quality in the restaurant industry.

James Sibley (“Sib-Lee”) is a recent graduate from Northeastern University and social media influencer specialized in the aquaculture sector. Since beginning his educational channels online in 2021, James has grown TikTok, Instagram and LinkedIn channels to over 400,000 followers and nearly a quarter of a billion views, cumulatively. His international engagement with aquaculture connects the public with modernized, responsible aquafarms in a direct and approachable manner that people clearly love to watch. James’ role as an aquaculture educator and spokesperson has led him across North America to learn from industry leaders and innovators and to bring their practices into the limelight. Today, James works for the Norwegian salmon farmer Mowi out of Boston and continues his social media work independently. He has partnered with numerous aquaculture companies to showcase their unique operations and he continues to close the knowledge gap between consumers and their seafood.

Is there anything more important than food? From science to financial markets; from land use to culture, and, of course, our diet. Food traverses every aspect of humanity. In this podcast, Daniel Russek, CEO of Atarraya, converses with relevant figures from various fields based on a simple question: what does food mean to you?