Chef Ismael's Kitchen Quest

Chef Ismael Torres
  • 5.0 (2)
  • 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. 5D AGO

    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

  2. JAN 23

    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

  3. JAN 16

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

    JAN 9

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

    12/05/2025

    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

  6. 10/25/2025

    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
  7. Ciaran Tracey | Journalist, Creator, & Documentarian | Chef Ismael's Kitchen Quest

    10/10/2025

    Ciaran Tracey | Journalist, Creator, & Documentarian | Chef Ismael's Kitchen Quest

    In this episode of Chef Ismael’s Kitchen Quest, we sit down with Ciaran Tracey, the mind behind Eat Me. Big City Nights is a gripping, cinematic podcast exploring the philosophy, madness, and genius of Marco Pierre White.Based in Manchester, UK, Ciaran built his career in investigative journalism, contributing to productions for BBC Panorama, File On 4, and BBC Northern Ireland’s Spotlight. But his path took a creative turn from hard-hitting newsrooms to creating immersive, story-driven audio documentaries.With Eat Me, Ciaran goes into the psychology of one of the most complex figures in culinary history. It’s not just about Marco’s rise. It’s about what drives greatness, obsession, and the human hunger for meaning.In this episode:How journalism shaped Ciaran’s storytelling voiceThe creative philosophy behind Eat Me. Big City NightsThe untold nuances of Marco Pierre White’s legacyWhat it takes to build a story that feels aliveWhere to find Ciaran Tracey:🌐 Website: https://bigcitynights.io🎙️ Eat Me Podcast: https://eatmepodcast.podbean.com🎙️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3JYPMFq...📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/big_city_nights_ About the HostChef Ismael Torres is a private chef, culinary storyteller, and host of Chef Ismael’s Kitchen Quest. Each episode goes into the minds of culinary leaders, creatives, and thinkers who are shaping the food world in unexpected ways.Support & SubscribeIf this episode inspired you —🍴 Subscribe to the channel👍 Leave a comment and share your thoughts🔔 Turn on notifications for more chef conversations

    45 min

  8. 09/26/2025

    Paul Sierra | Cook, Craftsman, & Culinary Realist | Chef Ismael's Kitchen Quest

    What does it really take to last over 10 years in the kitchen? In this episode of Chef Ismael’s Kitchen Quest, I sit down with my friend Paul Sierra, a cook, craftsman, and culinary realist who has seen the best and worst sides of the industry. Paul opens up about his journey, the reality of culinary school, and the battles every cook faces behind the line. This isn’t the sugarcoated version of the culinary world. We talk about the long hours, the burnout, the passion that keeps you going, and the controversial truths chefs whisper about but rarely say out loud. From the pressure of chasing perfection to the sacrifices most people never see, Paul’s story is both inspiring and brutally honest. Whether you’re a chef, an aspiring cook, or just someone who loves food, you’ll leave this conversation with a deeper respect for the grind, the craft, and the people who dedicate their lives to feeding others. 🔥 In this episode you’ll hear about: - Paul’s 10+ year journey in the kitchen - The truth about culinary school vs. real kitchen life - Why being a cook is more than just a job, it’s survival - Controversial takes on the industry most won’t say on camera - What keeps a cook motivated when the fire (literally) never stops If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to stay in this industry and whether you have what it takes this is the episode for you. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment:Would you survive life behind the line?

    1h 18m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

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
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Chef Ismael Torres
  • Show Website
    Chef Ismael's Kitchen Quest