196 episodes

Join Chris Spear on his podcast, "Chefs Without Restaurants," as he interviews food and beverage entrepreneurs who have taken a unique path in the culinary world. With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including his own personal chef business, Perfect Little Bites, Chris is dedicated to helping others grow and succeed in the food and beverage industry. His guests include caterers, research chefs, personal chefs, cookbook authors, food truck operators, farmers, and more – all individuals who have paved their own way in the culinary world. Tune in to hear their inspiring stories and valuable insights on the road less traveled in the food and beverage industry.

Chefs Without Restaurants Chris Spear

    • Arts
    • 4.9 • 66 Ratings

Join Chris Spear on his podcast, "Chefs Without Restaurants," as he interviews food and beverage entrepreneurs who have taken a unique path in the culinary world. With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including his own personal chef business, Perfect Little Bites, Chris is dedicated to helping others grow and succeed in the food and beverage industry. His guests include caterers, research chefs, personal chefs, cookbook authors, food truck operators, farmers, and more – all individuals who have paved their own way in the culinary world. Tune in to hear their inspiring stories and valuable insights on the road less traveled in the food and beverage industry.

    Quitting Social Media with Chef Krimsey Lilleth

    Quitting Social Media with Chef Krimsey Lilleth

    This week I have Krimsey Lilleth. She’s the author of The Cajun Vegan Cookbook, and was the owner of Krimsey‘s Cajun kitchen, the world's first vegan Cajun restaurant. Due to Covid, Krimsey made the tough decision to close her North Hollywood restaurant in Spring 2020. She knew she wanted to share her recipes with her fans so they could re-create their favorite dishes at home, which is what inspired her to write her first cookbook.
    Last year I released my full episode with her, which can be found here. Today, here's an except from that show. It's the segment where Krimsey dicusses her decision to leave social media. These days it seems like you have to have a strong social media presence if you want to have your business succeed. But it’s definitely a double-edged sword. How much of your time is being taken up by it? Does it really matter at the end of the day? How had her life changed since making the decision to delete all of her social accounts? I’d love to hear what you think. Are we all just caught up in the hamster wheel, and it’s a huge waste of our time?

    KRIMSEY LILLETH
    Krimsey's Website
    Buy The Cajun Vegan Cookbook
     CHEFS WITHOUT RESTAURANTS

     If you enjoy the show and would like to support it financially, please check out our Sponsorship page (we get a commission when you use our links).  
    Get the Chefs Without Restaurants Newsletter
    Private Facebook group
    Chefs Without Restaurants Instagram
    Chefs Without Restaurants on TikTok
    Chefs Without Restaurants on YouTube
    Chris Spear's personal chef business Perfect Little Bites

    SPONSOR INFO
    United States Personal Chef Association
    Are you a personal chef looking for support and growth opportunities? Look no further than the United States Personal Chef Association! With nearly 1,000 members across the US and Canada, USPCA provides liability insurance, certification, lead generation, and more. Consumers can trust that their meal experience is insured and supported by USPCA.


    And now, for a limited time, save $75 on new membership and get your premier listing on Hire a Chef by using the code TaxBreak2023 at USPCA.com. Plus, if you have products or services to sell to chefs and their clients, showcase your business on the Hire a Chef and USPCA websites with our great introductory packages.


    To learn more about membership, advertising, or partnership opportunities, call Angela at 800-995-2138 ext. 705 or email aprather@uspca.com.

    • 12 min
    Locally Sourced: Chef Andre Uribe's Recipe for Culinary Success

    Locally Sourced: Chef Andre Uribe's Recipe for Culinary Success

    In this episode, I speak with Andre Uribe, a personal chef and the co-owner of Sustainable Meals Oregon. We delve into Andre's journey as a chef and his foray into video and storytelling, which now includes his own audio and video podcast, Chef Therapy.
    During our conversation, Andre talks about how he crafted his business model, devised a pricing structure, and strategically positioned himself in the market. His culinary enterprise places a strong emphasis on meal prep using locally sourced ingredients, and he explains why collaborating with local purveyors forms the foundation for Sustainable Meals Oregon.

    We explore Andre's aspiration to strike a better work-life balance, enabling him to pursue his other passions and spend quality time with his family.
    Tune in to gain valuable insights from Chef Andre, as he shares his entrepreneurial journey, and his commitment to sustainable practices.

    ANDRE URIBE 
    Chef Andre on Instagram
    Andre’s website 
    Sustainable Meals Oregon 
    Sustainable Meals Oregon on Instagram 
    The Chef Therapy Podcast on YouTube 
    The Chef Therapy Podcast on Apple Podcasts 

     CHEFS WITHOUT RESTAURANTS

     If you enjoy the show and would like to support it financially, please check out our Sponsorship page (we get a commission when you use our links).  
    Get the Chefs Without Restaurants Newsletter
    Private Facebook group
    Chefs Without Restaurants Instagram
    Chefs Without Restaurants on TikTok
    Chefs Without Restaurants on YouTube
    Chris Spear's personal chef business Perfect Little Bites

    SPONSOR INFO
    United States Personal Chef Association
    Are you a personal chef looking for support and growth opportunities? Look no further than the United States Personal Chef Association! With nearly 1,000 members across the US and Canada, USPCA provides liability insurance, certification, lead generation, and more. Consumers can trust that their meal experience is insured and supported by USPCA.


    And now, for a limited time, save $75 on new membership and get your premier listing on Hire a Chef by using the code TaxBreak2023 at USPCA.com. Plus, if you have products or services to sell to chefs and their clients, showcase your business on the Hire a Chef and USPCA websites with our great introductory packages.


    To learn more about membership, advertising, or partnership opportunities, call Angela at 800-995-2138 ext. 705 or email aprather@uspca.com.
     

    • 46 min
    Deposits, Payment Methods and Horror Stories with Chef Matt Collins

    Deposits, Payment Methods and Horror Stories with Chef Matt Collins

    This week I speak with chef Matt Collins about payment methods and deposits, with a side or horror stories. Whether you work in the food industry or not, if you receive payment for your services, you won't want to miss this.
    We cover various options for payment methods, including cash, check, Venmo, Zelle, Paypal and Square. We talk deposits: when to request them and how much to ask for. Additionally, we discuss fees and gratuity. Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical tips on handling payments.

    MATT COLLINS
    Matt Collins on Instagram
    Chef Collins Events - Private Dinners

    CHEFS WITHOUT RESTAURANTS

    If you enjoy the show and would like to support it financially, please check out our Sponsorship page (we get a commission when you use our links).  
    Get the Chefs Without Restaurants Newsletter
    Private Facebook group
    Chefs Without Restaurants Instagram
    Chefs Without Restaurants on TikTok
    Chefs Without Restaurants on YouTube
    Chris Spear's personal chef business Perfect Little Bites

    SPONSOR INFO
    United States Personal Chef Asociation
    Are you a personal chef looking for support and growth opportunities? Look no further than the United States Personal Chef Association! With nearly 1,000 members across the US and Canada, USPCA provides liability insurance, certification, lead generation, and more. Consumers can trust that their meal experience is insured and supported by USPCA.
    And now, for a limited time, save $75 on new membership and get your premier listing on Hire a Chef by using the code TaxBreak2023 at USPCA.com. Plus, if you have products or services to sell to chefs and their clients, showcase your business on the Hire a Chef and USPCA websites with our great introductory packages.
    To learn more about membership, advertising, or partnership opportunities, call Angela at 800-995-2138 ext. 705 or email aprather@uspca.com.

    • 34 min
    Nourishing People and the Planet: A Conversation with the Twin Chefs Behind Servis Events

    Nourishing People and the Planet: A Conversation with the Twin Chefs Behind Servis Events

    On today's show, I have Nicolas and Stephen Servis, identical twin brothers who founded Servis Events, a private dining service based in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. You’ll learn how the brothers pivoted during the early days of the pandemic to start their business.

    Nicolas and Stephen's passion for farm-to-table cuisine flourished during their time as chefs de partie at The Mainland Inn, where they tackled full animal butchery, gardening, and more. Later, while volunteering at Quarry Hill Farm, Stephen learned about the WWOOF program, a travel-for-work opportunity on organic farms. So, when the pandemic forced the brothers to leave their restaurant jobs in 2020, seeking inspiration, they moved to Maine for two months to work on Flying Pond Farm, where their vision for Servis Events began to take shape.
    Today, Nicolas and Stephen share their story and passion for culinary arts and sustainability, combining their love of cooking with their dedication to being stewards of the planet. 

    SERVIS EVENTS
    Servis Events on Instagram
    Servis Events - Private Dinners

    CHEFS WITHOUT RESTAURANTS

    If you enjoy the show and would like to support it financially, please check out our Sponsorship page (we get a commission when you use our links).  
    Get the Chefs Without Restaurants Newsletter
    Private Facebook group
    Chefs Without Restaurants Instagram
    Chefs Without Restaurants on TikTok
    Chefs Without Restaurants on YouTube
    Chris Spear's personal chef business Perfect Little Bites

    SPONSOR INFO
    United States Personal Chef Asociation
    Are you a personal chef looking for support and growth opportunities? Look no further than the United States Personal Chef Association! With nearly 1,000 members across the US and Canada, USPCA provides liability insurance, certification, lead generation, and more. Consumers can trust that their meal experience is insured and supported by USPCA.
    And now, for a limited time, save $75 on new membership and get your premier listing on Hire a Chef by using the code TaxBreak2023 at USPCA.com. Plus, if you have products or services to sell to chefs and their clients, showcase your business on the Hire a Chef and USPCA websites with our great introductory packages.
    To learn more about membership, advertising, or partnership opportunities, call Angela at 800-995-2138 ext. 705 or email aprather@uspca.com.

    • 49 min
    Easy Allergy-Free Cooking with Kayla Cappiello

    Easy Allergy-Free Cooking with Kayla Cappiello

    Do you or someone you love have a food allergy or intolerance? Or maybe you're a chef who cooks for people and wants to get better at accommodating customers with dietary restrictions. In this episode of Chefs Without Restaurants, Chris speaks with Kayla Cappiello, the author of the new book "Easy Allergy-Free Cooking," about food allergies and how to cook delicious meals that are safe for those with dietary restrictions.
    Kayla has celiac disease, is lactose intolerant, and is allergic to tree nuts, so she knows firsthand the challenges of cooking with multiple dietary restrictions. She started documenting her experiences online, sharing new recipes she was making and recommending places to eat that catered to those with allergies. Her Instagram quickly gained followers, and she now has 47,000 fans who love her allergy-free cooking tips and recipes.
    Kayla's book, "Easy Allergy-Free Cooking," is a choose-your-own-adventure cookbook that accommodates multiple allergies and dietary restrictions. Every recipe includes tips on how to make adjustments for gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free diets, as well as suggestions for making the dish vegetarian or low-fat. It's the perfect guide for anyone who wants to cook delicious, allergy-free meals for themselves or their loved ones.
    In this episode, Kayla and Chris discuss the challenges of cooking with multiple allergies, how to make substitutions in your favorite recipes, and the importance of community for those with food allergies. Kayla also shares some of her favorite recipes from the book, 

    KAYLA CAPPIELLO
    Kayla's Instagram
    Buy the Book: Easy Allergy-Free Cooking

    CHEFS WITHOUT RESTAURANTS

    If you enjoy the show and would like to support it financially, please check out our Sponsorship page (we get a commission when you use our links).  
    Get the Chefs Without Restaurants Newsletter
    Private Facebook group
    Chefs Without Restaurants Instagram
    Chefs Without Restaurants on TikTok
    Chefs Without Restaurants on YouTube
    Chris Spear's personal chef business Perfect Little Bites

    • 42 min
    The Best Hire You Can Make For a Personal Chef Business

    The Best Hire You Can Make For a Personal Chef Business

    This week on Chefs Without Restaurants we have chef Kyle Shankman. Kyle is the chef and owner of Speak Easy Supper Club, an exclusive dining experience in the Atlanta area. As tickets for Speak Easy are hard to come by, Chef Shankman also finds a way to feed folks as a private chef and cooking class instructor.
    A chef for two decades, Kyle has run multiple restaurant kitchens as an executive chef and consultant, taught hundreds of cooking classes for home cooks, been the personal chef to A-List celebrities, and has been the on-camera talent in both live and produced segments for several national brands.

    On the show, we discuss the best hire you can make for your personal chef business. This was part of a longer conversation we had about Kyle's  Speak Easy Supper Club. I had asked Kyle what position he'd recommend hiring if he had the budget. Kyle has actually already hired an assistant, and talks about how it was a game-changer for his business.

    Kyle shares his experience of working with his assistant who has helped him take his private chef work to the next level. She has an understanding of the details that go into service and provides an eye for detail that takes their work to the next level. Additionally, she has excellent people skills that balance Kyle's dry humor and fills in gaps when he's busy cooking.

    Because I thought this would provide tremendous value, I removed it from the full episode, and have released it here as a standalone mini-episode. You can find our full conversation here.

    KYLE SHANKMAN
    Kyle's Instagram
    Kyles Website
    Speak Easy Supper Club on Instagram
    Kyle's Facebook


    CHEFS WITHOUT RESTAURANTS

    If you enjoy the show and would like to support it financially, please check out our Sponsorship page (we get a commission when you use our links).  
    Get the Chefs Without Restaurants Newsletter
    Private Facebook group
    Chefs Without Restaurants Instagram
    Chefs Without Restaurants on TikTok
    Chefs Without Restaurants on YouTube

    • 8 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
66 Ratings

66 Ratings

Mario with Endurify ,

Great podcast!

Chris is an awesome host and brings on interesting guests! The show is both inspiring and actionable. Keep going! 🙌

George M C. ,

Great Resource for ALL Chefs

I am so glad Chris created a community for Chef that don’t work in the traditional restaurant jobs. I wish I had a resource like this 20 years ago when I was a young chef looking for other venues to cook in.
Not only are there great interviews and conversations with Non restaurant Chefs but there are great interviews for All chef and food enthusiasts.

chefellyv ,

Great advice for chefs

This podcast is well produced and gives great advice to chefs and cooks. The guests are knowledgeable and mostly relatable. I’ve enjoyed listening and learning.

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