Kitchen Rags to Riches

Imrun Texeira
  • 0.0 (0)
  • CAREERS

Thinking about a career in the food industry? There are more paths than you realize. I'm Imrun Texeira. After 15 years of experience as a chef in Michelin-star kitchens and on the Food Network, I've spent the last five years guiding thousands of students through career pathways in the food and hospitality industry. On Kitchen Rags to Riches, I interview successful restaurateurs, private chefs, food writers, content creators, foragers, and food tech entrepreneurs who share exactly how they built fulfilling careers. Subscribe now and start mapping out your journey.

Episodes

  1. 12/02/2025

    Eric Robertson: From a Small Town Kitchen to 2 Michelin Stars

    Eric Robertson shares his journey from aspiring cyclist to acclaimed chef, reflecting on the influences that shaped his culinary career and the evolution of the Canadian food scene. He opens up about the challenges of balancing work and family, the importance of authentic leadership, and the value of surrounding yourself with supportive teams in the kitchen. Eric also discusses the process of writing a cookbook that inspires future generations, the significance of mentorship, and the value of nurturing Canada’s unique culinary identity. This episode offers practical insights and motivation for aspiring chefs and food professionals seeking to build fulfilling, impactful careers. Follow Eric: Restaurant Pearl Morissette Instagram LinkedIn Youtube

    53 min

  2. 12/02/2025

    Ozoz Sokoh: From Geology to Gastronomy

    Ozoz Sokoh shares her transformative journey from geology to gastronomy, embracing a passion for food that blends science, culture, and creativity. She reveals how her blog, Kitchen Butterfly, became a therapeutic outlet, helping her overcome perfectionism while documenting and preserving West African culinary traditions. Ozoz highlights the power of cookbooks and platforms like Feast Afrique to celebrate cultural heritage and enrich Canada’s culinary landscape. She also explores the value of cultural diversity in cooking, teaching culinary curiosity, and how self-reflection during the pandemic fueled personal and professional growth. This episode offers inspiration for aspiring chefs, food educators, and anyone passionate about culinary storytelling, cultural representation, and creative exploration. Follow Ozoz: Website Instagram LinkedIn Facebook TikTok Youtube Feast Afrique Kitchen Butterfly

    1h 34m

  3. 12/02/2025

    Alberto Aguilar: From Garage Prototype to Dragons’ Den $400k Investment

    Alberto Aguilar shares his journey from childhood inspirations in Spain to founding Plantaform, a Canadian startup pioneering NASA-inspired fogponics for indoor gardening. He opens up about overcoming skepticism, learning from startup failures, and achieving a major breakthrough when his plants thrived — culminating in a $400,000 investment on Dragons’ Den Canada. Alberto discusses how COVID-19 sparked a surge in home gardening, the role of mentorship, and partnerships with schools and food banks to drive community impact. This episode explores the future of sustainable agriculture, food security, and how innovation can transform how we grow and access fresh food. Follow Alberto: Plantaform Instagram LinkedIn Facebook TikTok Youtube

    44 min

  4. 12/02/2025

    Matt Taylor: From Heartache to Healing Through Sustainable Seafood

    Matt Taylor shares his journey from struggling with addiction in high-pressure kitchens to building a career focused on mental health, balance, and sustainable seafood. He opens up about the challenges of the restaurant industry, the culture of substance use, and the importance of self-care, therapy, and community support for chefs. Matt also dives into his philosophy at Affinity Fish, highlighting local sourcing, sustainability, and building relationships with fishermen to elevate Canadian seafood. This episode offers raw insight and inspiration for anyone navigating the pressures of culinary careers, emphasizing that personal recovery and professional impact can go hand in hand. Follow Matt: Affinity Fish Instagram TikTok LinkedIn

    59 min

  5. 12/02/2025

    Joshna Maharaj: From Community Kitchens to Social Impact

    Joshna Maharaj shares her journey from community kitchens to creating real social impact in the culinary world. She breaks down the challenges of racism, the importance of cultural representation, and how chefs can use food to drive inclusivity, reconciliation, and social change. Joshna highlights the evolving role of chefs beyond fine dining, the power of intercultural creativity, and why aspiring chefs should focus on passion, mentorship, and community impact. She also explores the future of Indian cuisine in the West, the need to dismantle traditional kitchen hierarchies, and the growing demand for chefs in community-driven culinary spaces. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in culinary careers, food systems, and using kitchens to make a meaningful difference.

    1h 11m

  6. 12/01/2025

    Ned Bell: From Alcoholism to Sustainable Leadership

    Chef Ned Bell traces his path through one of the most diverse culinary careers in Canada, revealing how a commitment to sustainable seafood and nourishing food shaped his philosophy. He breaks down the evolving meaning of success, the role of cultural influences in defining Canadian cuisine, and why daily structure and healthy habits are essential in an industry battling mental health and substance abuse. Ned speaks candidly about the realities of the profession, the need to revive true hospitality, and the importance of sustainable practices for the future of food. He also highlights how immigration and diverse experiences fuel creativity and offers grounded advice for the next generation of chefs ready to build meaningful, resilient careers. Follow Ned: ⁠Chef Ned Bell Culinary⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠LinkedIn

    57 min

  7. 12/01/2025

    Nick Chindamo: From Foraging to Culinary Leadership

    Chef and forager Nick Chindamo, known as NickOfNorth, shares how a childhood spent learning the land became a career built on landscape literacy and culinary innovation. He explains his transition from kitchen life to full-time forager, why meticulous foraging shapes great cooking, and how mentorship guided his evolution. Nick breaks down the hidden richness of PEI’s terrain, the power of hyperlocal ingredients, and the future of dining rooted in storytelling, community, and knowledge sharing. He also speaks to the importance of rest and recovery in a demanding industry and why wellness must sit at the center of any sustainable culinary career. Follow Nick: ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠An Island Collective

    50 min

  8. 12/01/2025

    Evelyn Chick: From Cocktail Kits to 50 Best Bars

    Evelyn Chick opens up about her rise from early days in hospitality to becoming one of the most respected voices in food and beverage. She breaks down how she turned pandemic uncertainty into Evelyn Chick Projects, created one of the most successful cocktail kit programs in the country, and built the foundation for bars recognized on the 50 Best list. Evelyn shares the realities of entrepreneurship, navigating imposter syndrome, and why mentorship and community drive every move she makes. She also discusses her mission to support BIPOC and female founders through Feastie, and where she believes hospitality is heading for those ready to lead it. Follow Evelyn: ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠TikTok

    53 min

  9. TRAILER

    Building a Career in Food and Hospitality: Welcome to Kitchen Rags to Riches

    Welcome to the very first episode of Kitchen Rags to Riches with your host, Imrun Texeira. In this episode, I share why I started this podcast and the mission behind it. We will dive into the realities of building a career in the food and hospitality industry; the highs, the lows, and everything in between. From years spent mentoring students and young professionals to working in kitchens around the world, I’ve seen firsthand what it takes to turn passion into purpose. Whether you’re a student, an aspiring chef, or simply curious about the stories behind the people shaping the industry, this episode will give you insight, inspiration, and a glimpse into what’s coming in Season 1. Success doesn’t come overnight—it’s a journey, and The Marathon Continues. https://www.instagram.com/imrun.texeira/ https://www.instagram.com/kitchenrags2richespodcast/

    5 min

Trailer

About

Thinking about a career in the food industry? There are more paths than you realize. I'm Imrun Texeira. After 15 years of experience as a chef in Michelin-star kitchens and on the Food Network, I've spent the last five years guiding thousands of students through career pathways in the food and hospitality industry. On Kitchen Rags to Riches, I interview successful restaurateurs, private chefs, food writers, content creators, foragers, and food tech entrepreneurs who share exactly how they built fulfilling careers. Subscribe now and start mapping out your journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Imrun Texeira
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Imrun Texeira
  • Show Website
    Kitchen Rags to Riches