Chef Ismael's Kitchen Quest

Chef Ismael Torres
  • 5.0 (1)
  • FOOD
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Chef Ismael’s Kitchen Quest is the go-to podcast for everything related to restaurants. From the kitchen to the dining room, we explore the art, business, and culture of the global restaurant world. I share stories from people of all walks of life—chefs, restaurateurs, servers, and food critics—both in the US and internationally. Whether you're a culinary professional or a food lover, you'll discover the unique experiences that shape the industry. Join us as we dive into the latest culinary trends, restaurant innovations, and personal stories that inspire passion for food and hospitality.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Owen Roy | Executive Chef, Content Creator, Podcast Host | Chef Ismael's Kitchen Quest Podcast

    In this episode of Chef Ismael’s Kitchen Quest, I sit down with Chef Owen Roy, chef and the host of  ⁨@Owenbytheoven⁩  , break down the jump most cooks talk about but few make: going from culinary school into an elite kitchen environment (Aska in Brooklyn, a two Michelin star restaurant). We get into what that transition really demands: standards under pressure, the difference between discipline and obsession, and Owen’s philosophy on what an executive chef is actually responsible for culture, accountability, training, and the line between demanding excellence and breaking people. If you’re a cook, chef, or restaurant leader trying to level up your craft and your leadership, this episode is for you. Watch next / subscribe:Subscribe to Chef Ismael’s Kitchen Quest for chef interviews, leadership systems, restaurant culture, and the mindset behind high performance in the kitchen. Find Owen Roy: Owen’s podcast: Owen by the Oven  ⁨@Owenbytheoven⁩  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/OwenbytheovenYouTube/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Owenbytheoven Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/60Sc0Yfy7WNoVjhdcjTTeo Owen Roy, Owen by the Oven, Chef Ismael, Chef Ismael’s Kitchen Quest, Aska Brooklyn, two Michelin star restaurant, Michelin star kitchen, culinary school, executive chef, restaurant leadership, kitchen culture, fine dining, line cook, chef mindset, chef podcast, chef interview, chef discipline, leadership in restaurants #ChefPodcast #ExecutiveChef #KitchenLeadership #FineDining #MichelinStar #RestaurantCulture

    1h 28m

  2. 20 FEB

    Magali Ort | Executive Chef, Hell's Kitchen Competitor, Mentor | Chef Ismael's Kitchen Quest

    Most people think a kitchen is about food. It’s not, it’s about pressure.In this episode of Chef Ismael’s Kitchen Quest, I sit down with Chef Magali Ort, Executive Chef at BakerStreet Steakhouse (Fort Wayne, Indiana). We talk about what happens when the stakes are public, the standard is ruthless, and every decision gets judged, including her experience on Hell’s Kitchen and what it’s like to be measured against a bar set by Gordon Ramsay.This is about the real work that continues after the cameras: leadership, culture, discipline, and what it costs to pursue excellence without losing yourself in the process.What we cover* The pressure of performing on Hell’s Kitchen vs. real-life service* What Gordon Ramsay’s standard teaches you (and what it takes from you)* Leadership under stress: communication, accountability, and culture* Mistakes, recovery, and the difference between confidence and ego* What she’s building right now at BakerStreet Steakhouse* The next chapter: future goals, legacy, and impact beyond the plate Where to find Chef Magali Ort: https://bakerstreetfortwayne.com/ https://www.instagram.com/chefmaags/

    58 min

  3. 6 FEB

    The Real Truth for Success on the Line | Kitchen Service Secret | Chef Ismael's Kitchen Quest

    Busy kitchens don’t need louder voices, they need clearer words.In this episode of Chef Ismael’s Kitchen Quest, I break down one of the most overlooked skills in the kitchen: communication on the line. When tickets are late, plates aren't moving, and service feels chaotic, the problem usually isn’t effort or talent, it’s how we talk to each other under pressure.This episode is short, practical, and built for real service.In this episode, you’ll learn:* Why vague calls slow service more than mistakes* How clear language keeps a line calm and efficient* What great chefs say and what they never say during the push* How better communication builds trust, speed, and consistencyWhether you’re a line cook, sous chef, private chef, or leading the pass, this is a mindset and system you can use immediately.Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.If this helped you, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone on your team.

    5 min

  4. 23 JAN

    When Everything Falls Apart | Chef Ismael’s Kitchen Quest

    What if the best lesson you’ll ever learn happens the moment things fall apart? In under ten minutes, I walk through a clear reset you can use when the plan blows up, the pressure spikes, and nothing goes your way. This is a practical playbook you can run in the kitchen, at work, or anywhere life goes sideways. What you’ll learn How to recognize reality fast and stop the spiral A one-breath reset that calms you and your team How to simplify the plan without losing quality Executing priorities under pressure A two-minute debrief that turns chaos into progress If this helped, follow the show, rate it, and share it with someone who had a rough day. Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Follow me on Instagram and TikTok- @chef_ismael_torres Website: www.roughchopllc.com

    4 min

  5. 16 JAN

    How Chefs Recover When Everything Falls Apart | Chef Ismael's Kitchen Quest

    The tickets stack, a cook calls out, a fryer dies.... now what? In this solo episode I share a simple framework I use when service goes sideways. You’ll learn how to calm the room, tighten the menu, communicate with FOH, lead under pressure, and turn a rough shift into a real lesson. What you’ll learn: - How to stabilize a kitchen in crisis - Menu simplification that protects quality - Leadership language that restores flow - Post-service debrief that actually improves tomorrow If this helped you, follow the show, rate it, and send it to a chef who had a tough night. Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chef_ismael_torres/ YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@ChefIsmaelsKitchenQuest TikTok-

    7 min
  6. Mathew Reeves | Executive Chef, Motivator, Mentor | Chef Ismael's Kitchen Quest

    9 JAN

    Mathew Reeves | Executive Chef, Motivator, Mentor | Chef Ismael's Kitchen Quest

    In this episode of Chef Ismael’s Kitchen Quest, I sit down with Chef Mathew Reeves to talk about the side of the culinary industry most people never see. Mathew has 20 years in the kitchen, coming up from the dish pit through restaurants, catering, hotels, and corporate dining. For a long time, he lived the “kitchen stereotype." Alcohol, drugs, and toxic culture, until he made the decision to get sober. Now 7+ years sober, he’s leading with a different standard. Today he’s an executive chef at UC Davis, working with local farms, teaching hoof-to-snout / no-waste cooking, and helping change how college students view and eat food, while advocating for mental health, balance, and non-toxic leadership in kitchens. In this episode: -The real turning point that led to sobriety -What kitchens get wrong about “toughness” -Mental health, burnout, and staying healthy in hospitality -No-waste systems in high-volume kitchens -Local sourcing, sustainability, and telling the story behind food -How to lead without fear, abuse, or ego Where to find Chef Mathew Reeves Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/chef_mat_reeves/ Subscribe for more conversations with chefs who are changing the culture.Drop a comment: What needs to change in kitchen culture immediately?

    56 min
  7. Sarah Heard | Chef, Mentor, Restaurateur | Chef Ismael's Kitchen Quest

    05/12/2025

    Sarah Heard | Chef, Mentor, Restaurateur | Chef Ismael's Kitchen Quest

    Most people don’t understand what it truly costs to work in a professional kitchen. The pressure, the perfectionism, the burnout, the culture chefs inherit without ever being asked if they want it. Chef Sarah Heard came up through that world, but instead of becoming a product of it, she made a radical decision: she refused to pass the trauma forward. She rebuilt her kitchen around respect, accountability, and humanity while still holding a standard of excellence. In this episode, we dive into: • What leadership looks like when fear no longer works • The mental health crisis behind the line • The reality of being a woman leader in a male-dominated industry • How chefs can rebuild the future of restaurants • And one question that challenges everything we think we know about the culinary world This is not a conversation about food. This is a conversation about identity, culture, survival, and the courage to lead differently. Full interview with Chef Sarah Heard, co-owner of Foreign & Domestic and Commerce Café, now streaming. Subscribe for powerful conversations with the chefs reshaping the industry. Connect with Chef Sarah Heard Foreign and Domestic Website: https://www.fndaustin.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chef.heard/

    52 min

  8. 25/10/2025

    You Can’t Teach Passion | Chef Ismael's Kitchen Quest

    You can teach knife skills, timing, and discipline but passion can’t be taught. In this solo episode, I break down the mindset that keeps chefs going when the tickets won’t stop, the shift runs long, and the pressure is real. If you’re trying to stand out in the kitchen and build a career with meaning, this one is for you. In this episode you’ll learn: -Why passion outlasts talent and trends -How to protect your drive when motivation dips -The difference between working a station and owning your craft -Practical ways to stay consistent, creative, and hungry Listen/Watch: Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts If this helped you: follow the show, leave a rating, and send it to a chef who needs the reminder. Follow us at: Instagram - @chef_ismael_torres TikTok - @chef_ismael_torres YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@ChefIsmaelsKitchenQuest

    4 min
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About

Chef Ismael’s Kitchen Quest is the go-to podcast for everything related to restaurants. From the kitchen to the dining room, we explore the art, business, and culture of the global restaurant world. I share stories from people of all walks of life—chefs, restaurateurs, servers, and food critics—both in the US and internationally. Whether you're a culinary professional or a food lover, you'll discover the unique experiences that shape the industry. Join us as we dive into the latest culinary trends, restaurant innovations, and personal stories that inspire passion for food and hospitality.

Information

  • Creator
    Chef Ismael Torres
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Chef Ismael Torres
  • Show Website
    Chef Ismael's Kitchen Quest