From Humboldt Park to Haute Cuisine: Chef David Reyes on Survival, Soul Food, and Building Culinary Culture

Send us a text Chef David Reyes shares his remarkable journey from Chicago"s Humboldt Park to culinary innovation at St. Pete Distillery, revealing how experiences in European Michelin kitchens and family traditions shaped his cooking philosophy. • Growing up in inner-city Chicago during the 1980s amid violence and danger • Learning foundational hospitality principles at grandmother"s table where "nothing was missing" • Transitioning from Army medic to culinary school despite family skepticism • Training in French kitchens where bread was thrown at him for being undercooked • Working stages at legendary restaurants including Alinea in Chicago • Developing restaurants across America as a concept chef • Creating award-winning dishes sometimes without tasting the final combination until service • Building culinary programs at St. Pete Distillery featuring local Florida ingredients • Crafting innovative spirits including bourbon aged in Florida"s unique climate • Planning for future development of a community-focused restaurant centered around live fire cooking Join us at St. Petersburg Distillery for tours and taste their award-winning spirits. Follow Chef David on Instagram Introducing the SupraCut System - the automated solution that enhances safety, quality, and efficiency, cutting up to 120 perfect citrus wedges per minute, 6 times faster than manual. Patented tech delivers uniform slices, reducing waste and eliminating plastic, while the hygienic, contactless design lowers contamination and injuries, integrating seamlessly to transform your operations and improve profitability - get started at SupraCut.com and ask about risk-free trials. Elevate your dining experience with RAK Porcelain USA! As the exclusive tableware brand for the Walk-In Talk Podcast, RAK combines exceptional craftsmanship with innovative design. Whether you’re a chef, a restaurant owner, or a food enthusiast, RAK’s high-quality porcelain products will enhance every meal. Discover the artistry of food presentation and make every dining occasion special. Visit rakporcelain.com today and see how RAK can transform your table Get ready to innovate and organize your work space with Metro ! As the industry leader in storage & productivity solutions, Metro is here to transform and organize your kitchen   With their premium solutions, you'll experience the Metro difference. Metro's sturdy and versatile shelving units, workstations, holding cabinets, and utility carts are designed to streamline operations and maximize your productivity.  Don't settle for imitators! Metro products last lon The following brands and companies help us continue supporting the food industry - have a look below!  Support the show Thank you for listening to the Walk-In Talk Podcast, hosted by Carl Fiadini and Company. Our show not only explores the exciting and chaotic world of the restaurant business and amazing eateries but also advocates for mental health awareness in the food industry. Our podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look at the industry. Don"t miss out on upcoming episodes where we"ll continue to cook up thought-provoking discussions on important topics, including mental health awareness. Be sure to visit our website for more food industry-related content, including our very own TV show called Restaurant Recipes where we feature Chefs cooking up their dishes and also The Dirty Dash Cocktail Hour; the focus is mixology and amazing drinks! Thank you for tuning in, and we"ll catch you next time on the Walk-In Talk Podcast. https://www.TheWalkInTalk.com Leave a review and rating, please!