S2 Episode 006- GREG BAKER - From Chef on the Line to Life on the Line

We Recover Loudly

On this week’s episode, we are joined by Greg Baker. Greg was a chef and restaurateur for 36 years, with six James Beard Award nominations behind him, before retiring in 2019, citing the physical and mental toll the work took on him as his reasons. In his last years as a chef, he became a vocal advocate for raising awareness of and dealing with systemic mental health issues in the hospitality industry. Since leaving restaurants, Greg has continued his advocacy work, and he now works as a freelance writer for such publications as Food & Wine magazine, Serious Eats, and Tasting Table.

We first became aware of the work Greg is associated with when watching a short video The Wall Street Journal put together in 2018 after the tragic death of Antony Bourdain. The video called ‘A Reckoning With the Dark Side of the Restaurant Industry’ features industry leaders at the time such as Greg Baker, Cat Cora and Patrick Mulveny. Talking to Greg all these years later was really moving, especially as he shares how difficult his mental health became over the years and how his shame to share about it nearly cost him his life.

We discussed -

• Toxic masculinity and whether it is self imposed at times
• How he gravitated towards the chaos of the kitchen and that high adrenaline lifestyle from a young man
• The failure of the industry to rebuild itself after the pandemic better than it was before
• How if we want to create lasting change, it has to start at the top

This is a raw, no holds barred and very moving conversation with a talented chef who we could have lost, and who is now making positive changes with his story. Inspiring stuff.

@greg_baker

@werecoverloudly www.werecoverloudly.com

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This episode is sponsored by

The Burnt Chef Project.

@theburntchefproject www.theburntchefproject.com

AND

Low No Drinker Magazine

@lownodrinkermagazine www.lownodrinkermagazine.com

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email [e-mail]

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www.werecoverloudly.com

This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors:

Low No Drinker Magazine @lownodrinkermagazine

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