Episode 003- Chef Rick Moonen: Top Chef Masters, Godfather of Sustainability

Sustainability is an important topic, one that more and more people are recognizing and talking about every day.  But it didn’t used to be…  Chef Rick Moonen was one of the first Chef’s to recognize the change in the food industry, to see the effects of societies over consumption. Because of that, he is known today as the God Father of Sustainability.  Running some of the most successful high end restaurants across the nation and eventually appearing on Top Chefs Masters, he was able to bring attention to the purity of the food we eat.  But, just how did he get there?  Tune in to find out!

Lesson of the Day: Sustainability

TAKE AWAYS

• I fell into “sustainability”, it wasn’t my intention.  I loved food, and I saw the industry start to change, to not appreciate the ingredients they were consuming.  The industry wanted me to shut up, but I didn’t, and now decades later- I’m a genius.
• “The authenticity of real food gets me so excited.  When I travel, I want to know the real flavors, the real meaning of why and how, and the celebratory traditions that surround this beautiful globe of ours.”
• The story of Top Chef Masters, “I didn’t want to get on TV… I was focused on my restaurants and getting people in the door”
• The secret to setting yourself up for Competition “Get really good at the fundamentals, then get curious about life, go do everything and get the experience”.  “Don’t overthink cuisine, it needs to be natural, something you want to share with someone”
• Road bump- “The Recession was probably the biggest challenge of my career”, I had to look at the history of the restaurants I knew that had failed, and I did the opposite, I evolved.
• What to do, and what to not do?  “It sounds corny, but stay focused.  I’m always looking for the next epiphany, whats going to blow my mind?”
• “Keep switching up your concept or career, find something new that keeps you focused and motivated”

Chef’s Apprentice

“Stay focused, if its not going to help you reach your goal, you probably don’t need it in your life.  Be persistent, you’ll get to success by winning a lot of small battles.  And, don’t take yourself too seriously, you gotta be able to laugh at yourself, admit your wrong, ask for help and just enjoy life, because life will live you.” – Cody Christopher, Chef of Three’s Bar & Grill and Fork & Salad