23 episodes

The Culinary Mechanic Podcast is focused on exploring the restaurant and hospitality industry to find the insights, strategies, tools and tactics to help chefs, owners and operators run restaurants like a well-oiled machine.

Leveraging 30+ years of kitchen experience, Simon shares lessons learned, hard won knowledge and occasionally a good story. Combine those with conversations with chefs, restaurateurs and industry gurus, about what it takes to make your restaurant profitable and a great place to work.

Culinary Mechanic was founded in 2022 as a virtual advisory firm for restaurants and culinary operations and is centered on the human aspects of running complex "machines"; employing time tested, industry leading systems and a no nonsense approach to hospitality, leadership and cost management.

Culinary Mechanic: Insights, Strategies, Tools and Tactics to help you run your restaurant like a well oiled machine Simon Zatyrka

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 1 Rating

The Culinary Mechanic Podcast is focused on exploring the restaurant and hospitality industry to find the insights, strategies, tools and tactics to help chefs, owners and operators run restaurants like a well-oiled machine.

Leveraging 30+ years of kitchen experience, Simon shares lessons learned, hard won knowledge and occasionally a good story. Combine those with conversations with chefs, restaurateurs and industry gurus, about what it takes to make your restaurant profitable and a great place to work.

Culinary Mechanic was founded in 2022 as a virtual advisory firm for restaurants and culinary operations and is centered on the human aspects of running complex "machines"; employing time tested, industry leading systems and a no nonsense approach to hospitality, leadership and cost management.

    22 - Ryan Brown: Embracing Simplicity and Unlocking Your Potential

    22 - Ryan Brown: Embracing Simplicity and Unlocking Your Potential

    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

    • 41 min
    21 - Scot Turner: Finding Your True Passion and Aligning Your Business

    21 - Scot Turner: Finding Your True Passion and Aligning Your Business

    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

    • 37 min
    20 - Luke Simonds: How to Blend the Art and Science of Cooking for a Fulfilling Career

    20 - Luke Simonds: How to Blend the Art and Science of Cooking for a Fulfilling Career

    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

    • 36 min
    19 - Christopher Wells (part 2): Unlocking Restaurant Success - Prime Costs and Hospitality Insights

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

    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/⁠

    • 24 min
    18 - Christopher Wells (part 1): From Kitchen Chaos to Tech Startup

    18 - Christopher Wells (part 1): From Kitchen Chaos to Tech Startup

    Join Christopher Wells, the founder and CEO of Piecemeal, in a dynamic conversation on his journey from the chaotic world of restaurant kitchens to the innovative realm of restaurant tech. Christopher shares anecdotes from his early days as a dishwasher, revealing how his adrenaline-fueled personality found its match in the fast-paced energy of the culinary world. Through insightful storytelling, he delves into the intricacies of restaurant operations, highlighting the importance of systems and teamwork in achieving excellence. Discover the genesis of Piecemeal, a revolutionary platform designed to empower restaurant owners with intuitive tools for sales prediction, inventory management, and more.

    website: https://www.piecemeal.io/

    IG: @piecemeal_ceo

    LinkedIn: @wellschristopher

    Piecemeal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/piecemeal---menus-reimagined/

    • 28 min
    17 - Josh Sharkey (part 2): The Stories, Events and Path that Create a Tech Entrepreneur

    17 - Josh Sharkey (part 2): The Stories, Events and Path that Create a Tech Entrepreneur

    In this episode of the Culinary Mechanic Podcast, host Simon Zatyrka continues his conversation with Josh Sharkey, diving deeper into the intricacies of recipe development and management. From the inception of Meez to the dynamic nature of ingredient sourcing and climate impact, they explore the essential role of precision in culinary artistry. Discover the behind-the-scenes journey of transforming traditional practices into innovative solutions that revolutionize the way chefs approach recipe creation and execution.



    Josh Sharkey - CEO & Co-Founder, Meez


    The founder and CEO of meez, Josh Sharkey is an entrepreneur, chef, and restaurant operator with over 20 years of experience in the industry (Oceana, Tabla, Bouley, Cafe Gray). After more than a decade cooking in Michelin-starred restaurants, he opened Bark Hot Dogs in 2009, which earned numerous accolades in the fast casual space. Sharkey spent five years as the Chief Operating Officer of Aurify Brands (Melt Shop, The Little Beet, Little Beet Table, Fields Good Chicken, and Le Pain Quotidien) before launching meez to the public in late 2020 following over two years of development. During the pandemic, Sharkey used meez’s technology to create Recipes for Relief, an initiative that made interactive recipes available for purchase with 100% of proceeds going towards restaurant relief. Josh believes in building technology with domain empathy, ensuring software always conforms to how we operate, and fervently focusing on the finer details.

    www.getmeez.com



    instagram: @getmeez

    @joshlsharkey

    LinkedIn: @joshua-sharkey

    @getmeez

    • 30 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
1 Rating

1 Rating

Cmarvinfan ,

This is a must for anyone in the culinary world!

I love listening to Simon’s show. I take away something different from every single episode. I love that he is sharing stories of leaders in the culinary world in order to support the health and development of the hospitality industry for current and future generations.

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