In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Peter McQuaid, 25-year-old Executive Chef of Cala, a Clive Collective restaurant in Scottsdale, as well as the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America Award recipient at the JBF Taste America Tour in Phoenix.

Referenced as a culinary “prodigy,” Peter shares how early career mentors such as Silvana Salcido Esparza at Barrio Café and Beau MacMillan at the Sanctuary have opened several doors for him. Through his relentless thirst to learn new skills and build connections, Peter chats about the steps he took after graduating from culinary school to claim an Executive Chef title. He also discusses his experience being a private chef for former UFC commentator Mike Goldberg, Alicia Keys, and the Arizona Cardinals’ A.Q. Shipley.

Listen as Peter McQuaid talks about how he started an Emulsion Popup restaurant series and why networking is important for up-and-coming chefs.