Chefs Without Restaurants
Join Chris Spear as he interviews food and beverage entrepreneurs who have built successful careers outside of traditional restaurant kitchens. From personal chefs, caterers, and food truck operators to cookbook authors, research chefs, and farmers, each guest has paved their own way in the culinary world. Through candid conversations, they share the challenges, lessons, and successes of creating a business on their own terms. With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry—including running his own personal chef business, Perfect Little Bites—Chris is dedicated to helping chefs and food entrepreneurs navigate their own unconventional paths in the industry. If you're looking for inspiration, business insights, and real stories from those who have stepped beyond the restaurant world, this podcast is for you. 🎧 New episodes available—subscribe now and start exploring the road less traveled in the culinary industry!
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On this episode of Chefs Without Restaurants, I’m joined by Chef Takeshi Nishikawa, founder of Snow Crane—a Japanese-inspired ice cream shop coming to Hyattsville, Maryland in 2025. After years leading high-profile kitchens like the Michelin-starred Rose’s Luxury and Pineapple and Pearls, Takeshi is now channeling his
Want the INSIDE SCOOP on building and growing a food business? Subscribe to our newsletter. Have you ever thought about turning your love for baking into a real business? That’s exactly what Maria Baradell, founder of Leaf & Loaf, did. Starting in her home kitchen, she quickly scaled her sourdough micro-bakery into a t
Want the INSIDE SCOOP on building and growing a food business? Subscribe to our newsletter. This week on Chefs Without Restaurants, we celebrate two major milestones: our 250th episode and five years of podcasting. To mark the occasion, we’re joined by one of the most iconic figures in the culinary world, Jacques Pépin
Join Chris Spear in this episode as he interviews Joe Yonan, the acclaimed food and dining editor of The Washington Post and celebrated cookbook author. Joe’s latest work, Mastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking, redefines plant-based food, focusing on creating flavorful and approachable dishes without dietary labels
In this episode, Chris Spear chats with Heidrun Metzler, a passionate baker and author of German Heritage Baking. With recipes that include everything from Apple Strudel to Black Forest Cake, Heidrun"s cookbook is a true labor of love that has been over ten years in the making. She dives into her family"s baking legacy
In this episode, Chris Spear chats with cookbook author Ben Mims about his new book, Crumbs. The conversation delves into the cultural history of cookies, what defines a cookie, and Ben"s research process for compiling recipes from around the world. They discuss holiday cookie exchanges, ingredient nuances, and advice
