{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/67bde1122dbc20e82c437cd2/6923141b00a96fa12bb24728?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"How To Become A... Head Chef","description":"<p>What does it really take to become a head chef?</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of <em>How To Become A…</em>, Grace sits down with Andy — Head Chef at ROVI (part of the Ottolenghi group), to unpack the real journey behind running a high-performing kitchen.</p><p><br></p><p>From growing up in a hospitality family (with a dad who owned nightclubs and restaurants) to working his way up through kitchens in Australia and London, Andy shares the truth about the industry — the highs, the burnout, the pirate-ship energy of kitchen culture, and the leadership skills no one talks about.</p><p><br></p><p>We cover:</p><ul><li>Starting out in a family restaurant</li><li>Culinary school vs on-the-job training</li><li>Moving from Australia to London without a job lined up</li><li>Working your way from chef de partie to sous chef to head chef</li><li>What being a head chef actually involves (hint: it’s not just cooking)</li><li>Managing big teams under pressure</li><li>Menu development, seasonal produce &amp; working with a kitchen garden</li><li>Cooking for 200+ guests in Sicily &amp; Ibiza</li><li>The harsh realities of the hospitality industry</li><li>Why supporting independent restaurants matters</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Andy also shares the mindset you need to survive in kitchens:</p><p> ✔️ Work ethic</p><p> ✔️ Resilience</p><p> ✔️ Thick skin</p><p> ✔️ Passion for food</p><p> ✔️ Leadership under pressure</p><p><br></p><p>If you’ve ever dreamed of running a kitchen, opening a restaurant, or just want to understand what happens behind the pass, this episode is for you.</p><p><br></p><p>Resources:</p><p>https://ottolenghi.co.uk/pages/locations/rovi</p>","author_name":"Grace Stevens"}