CULINARY MECHANIC

Hosted by Simon Zatyrka

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Nov 2025

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About the show

Join Chef Simon Zatyrka, as he opens the door to candid conversations with the hospitality industry's most innovative leaders. Each episode runs the gamut from chefs talking about the community and cultures of kitchens to tech innovators talking about their concept to push the hospitality industry forward. You can expect a blend of battle-tested restaurant wisdom and modern leadership insights that challenge "the way it's always been done". You never know when the conversations about the business of hospitality are going to shift gears to discuss wood fired cookery, the camraderie of kitchen teams or the delusions of friends wanting to open a bar because they like sitting in one. New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe now to join a community of leaders who are as passionate about the business of hospitality, people and leadership as they are about food and cooking. Welcome to our sandbox.

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60 recent

July 23, 202439 min

Decoding Restaurant Success: The 3 Mindsets Every Leader Needs with Jason E. Brooks

Dive into the world of restaurant leadership with Jason E. Brooks as he reveals the keys to success from his book 'Every Leader Needs Followers.' Learn how to balance managing, leading, and coaching to create a thriving hospitality environment. Jason Brooks has over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry in multiple leadership roles with 6 of the Top 100 hospitality brands today. Jason coach's hospitality executives in the art of not just goal setting, but goal getting. He also teaches managers how to transform their management style to improve their hospitality leadership, so they never lead alone again. As an author, his new book, Every Leader Needs Followers: 10 Keys to Transform Restaurant Managers to Hospitality Leaders, was released on March 18, 2024. His background from 20+ brands has given him the unique ability to take the best points of each one and apply them to teams today. He is an expert in creating bite-sized chunks of audacious goals, conceptual ideation, and communicating with all levels of an organization to help create step change. Follow and Connect with Jason Website www.jasonebrooks.com Twitter twitter.com/2LeadNSucceed Instagram instagram.com/2LeadNSucceed LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/jason-e-brooks Follow and Connect with Simon ⁠ ⁠www.culinarymechanic.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ ⁠⁠Simon's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ ⁠⁠Simon's Instag⁠⁠ram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ Simon's Tiktok⁠ ⁠ Culinary Mechanic on YouTube⁠ ⁠ ⁠Book a Call with Simon⁠ Simon's email: simon@culinarymechanic.com

July 16, 202440 min

Expense Account Magic- Unlocking Restaurant Success with Laura Wilber

In this episode of the Culinary Mechanic Podcast, host Simon Zatyrka talks to Laura Wilber, a sales expert who helps restaurants acquire and retain expense account guests. Laura shares her unique perspective from both sides of the dining experience and reveals how restaurants can tap into the lucrative business traveler market through strategic partnerships. Follow and Connect with Laura Follow and Connect with Simon ⁠ ⁠www.culinarymechanic.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ ⁠⁠Simon's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ ⁠⁠Simon's Instag⁠⁠ram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ Simon's Tiktok⁠ ⁠ Culinary Mechanic on YouTube⁠ ⁠ ⁠Book a Call with Simon⁠ Simon's email: simon@culinarymechanic.com

July 9, 202439 min

From Farm to Food Broker: An Unconventional Culinary Journey with Jeff Fell

In this episode of The Culinary Mechanic Podcast, host Simon Zatyrka talks with Jeff Fell of Fell Into Food about his unique path in the culinary world. From growing up on a farm to becoming a food broker, Jeff shares insights on industry trends, the importance of systems in kitchens, and the evolving role of technology in food service. The conversation explores the changing landscape of culinary careers and the value of adaptability in the modern food industry. Jeff Fell grew up on a small farm in Central Illinois and later moved to the Chicago suburbs to pursue a passion for cooking at culinary school. His career began in the casino industry, providing a solid foundation in high-pressure culinary environments. Jeff then transitioned to non-commercial contract food management in colleges, where he dedicated over seven years to refining their expertise. In a subsequent corporate role, Jeff supported multiple functions including purchasing, recipe and menu development, and food safety programs. Currently, he is fully committed to his podcast, which focuses on various culinary topics. Additionally, Jeff has ventured into the food brokerage industry and performs on-screen work for several equipment brands, showcasing their versatile skill set and industry knowledge." Connect with Jeff YouTube: https://youtube.com/@FellIntoFood Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/fell-into-food Instagram: http://instagram.com/fell_into_food Facebook: https://facebook.com/fellintofood Website: FellintoFood.com Jeff's email: fellintofood@gmail.com Follow and Connect with Simon ⁠www.culinarymechanic.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Simon's LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Simon's Instag ram⁠⁠ Simon's Tiktok Culinary Mechanic on YouTube ⁠Book a Call with Simon Simon's email: simon@culinarymechanic.com

July 2, 202433 min

Revolutionizing Restaurant Profitability with Jordan Silverman

In this episode, Simon Zatyrka interviews Jordan Silverman, CEO of Starfish, about his journey from line cook to tech entrepreneur. Jordan shares insights on using AI to help restaurants boost profitability, the changing landscape of food delivery, and balancing work with personal life as a startup founder. Jordan is the CEO and Co-Founder of Starfish. Prior to Starfish he was the VP of Customer Success at MarketMan. Starfish helps restaurants automate P&L analysis using AI. Resulting in less time in front of computers for your team, lowered costs, and increased profits. Connect with Jordan Website - https://www.usestarfish.com/ Jordan's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordansilverman/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@starfishsoftware Connect with Simon ⁠www.culinarymechanic.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Simon's LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Simon's Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Book a Call with Simon

June 25, 202445 min

Navigating Your Restaurant Career Growth with Christin Marvin

In this episode of the Culinary Mechanic Podcast, host Simon interviews Christin Marvin, a restaurant consultant and leadership coach. They discuss their parallel journeys in the restaurant industry, from entry-level positions to management roles. Christin shares insights on effective leadership, the importance of clear expectations, and strategies for career advancement in the restaurant/hospitality world. Connect with Christin www.solutionsbychristin.me Christin's LinkedIn Christin's Instagram Christin's Podcast: No Hesitations Podcast Connect with Simon ⁠www.culinarymechanic.com⁠ ⁠Simon's LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Simon's Instagram⁠ ⁠Book a Call with Simon

June 20, 202453 min

Unleashing the Power of Training, Systems and Leadership with Jason Berkowitz

In this episode of the Culinary Mechanic podcast, host Simon Zatyrka sits down with Jason Berkowitz of Arrow Up Training to discuss the journey from entry-level restaurant work to leadership roles. They explore the importance of systems, communication, and employee development in creating successful restaurant operations. Jason shares insights from his extensive experience in the industry, offering valuable advice for aspiring leaders and established restaurateurs alike. Connect with Jason Jason's Instagram Jason's LinkedIn www.arrowuptraining.com Connect with Simon www.culinarymechanic.com Simon's LinkedIn Simon's Instagram Book a Call with Simon

June 4, 202441 min

Embracing Simplicity and Unlocking Your Potential with Ryan Brown

In this episode, host Simon and guest Ryan Brown delve into the evolution of the culinary industry, from the "pirate" days to the pursuit of simplicity and balance. Ryan, a seasoned hospitality professional and the founder of Union38, shares his journey, from working in Michelin-starred restaurants to becoming a stay-at-home dad and launching his own advisory business. They discuss the importance of finding mentors, cultivating hobbies outside of the kitchen, and embracing the beauty of uncomplicated, yet exceptional, cuisine. This conversation offers valuable insights for both aspiring and experienced chefs, as well as anyone interested in the dynamic world of food and hospitality. Ryan's website Ryan on LinkedIn

May 29, 202437 min

Finding Your True Passion and Aligning Your Business with Scot Turner

In this insightful episode, Simon Zatyrka interviews Scott Turner, the founder of Auden Hospitality, a consulting firm dedicated to helping hoteliers create exceptional food and beverage experiences. Scott shares his journey of leaving the corporate world twice to rediscover his true passion, and how he built a business around his values and principles. He emphasizes the importance of staying true to your calling, understanding your niche, and creating sustainable concepts that align with your core beliefs. website: www.audenhospitality.com LinkedIn: scot-turner IG: scot_auden If you'd like to see how Culinary Mechanic can help you run your kitchen like a well-oiled machine, click here

May 21, 202436 min

How to Blend the Art and Science of Cooking for a Fulfilling Career with Luke Simonds

In this episode, we dive into the captivating journey of Luke Simonds, a seasoned chef who transitioned from the high-pressure environment of fine dining to the world of foodservice equipment sales. Our guest shares his experiences climbing the ranks in competitive kitchens, developing recipes for renowned natural foods grocery stores, and ultimately finding a unique balance between artistry and science in cooking. Listen in as he discusses the challenges and rewards of adapting to different culinary roles, the importance of team building and leadership, and how his current position at Ignite Food Service Solutions is shaping his career in unexpected ways. Find Luke on LinkedIn: here Ignite food Service Solutions

May 14, 202424 min

Unlocking Restaurant Success - Prime Costs and Hospitality Insights with Christopher Wells (part 2)

Join us as we continue the Conversation with Christopher Wells. In this episode, we delve into the intricate world of restaurant operations with a seasoned restaurant operator and consultant. Through his wealth of experience, Christopher shares anecdotes and insights that uncover the often overlooked secrets to restaurant success. From cost analysis to the pivotal role of hospitality, this conversation offers invaluable lessons for anyone in the restaurant industry or aspiring restaurateurs. website: ⁠ https://www.piecemeal.io/⁠ IG: ⁠@piecemeal_ceo⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠@wellschristopher⁠ Piecemeal LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/piecemeal---menus-reimagined/⁠