Burnt Hands Perspective

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Watch a city rally behind one simple promise: everyone deserves to eat. We sit down with the Foodbank’s president and CEO to unpack how a 54-hour push called The Mayflower Marathon becomes a lightning-fast pipeline of meals, 220,000 pounds collected in three days and out the door before Thanksgiving. The twist that makes it work: 200–300 riders from motorcycle clubs, including our host, Chef Tony's, Hells Angels chapter, coordinating six tractor trailers, partnering with Kroger and a moving and storage team, and delivering nearly half the total haul themselves.

We go beyond the parade to the numbers that matter. Demand is up 30–40% over the height of COVID. A dollar given often means two meals because of wholesale buying power and food rescue. Ninety-five cents of every dollar reaches neighbors directly, fueling healthier choices like produce and lean proteins that stabilize the working poor. Along the way, we confront stigma head on and share how trust grew at collection sites, from wary glances to first-name hellos and families who return each year to contribute.

This conversation blends frontline logistics with human stories: the farmer who still needs help, the teacher quietly packing fruit into backpacks, and the volunteers who turn a parking lot into a precision operation. If you’ve ever wondered whether cash or cans help more, how food banks move so fast, or what role you can play, you’ll find clear answers and practical ways to plug in, donate, volunteer, advocate, or simply spread the word so more hands show up when it counts.

Ready to be part of the solution? Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who cares about hunger.

Stop by any Kroger in the Hampton Roads, VA area to donate from now until Thanksgiving! 

Thank you!

Welcome to the show! Burnt Hands Perspective

Support the show

VIRTUAL TIP JAR: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2388325/support

CONTACT US: 
[email protected]
IG @Theburnthandsperspective

*The views and opinions on this show are meant for entertainment purposes only. They do not reflect the views of our sponsors. We are not here to babysit your feelings, if you are a true industry pro, you will know that what we say is meant to make you laugh and have a great time. If you don't get that, this is not the podcast for you. You've been warned. Enjoy the ride! 

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What if a hot, chef-prepared, thoughtful meal could change the course of a disasterous day in your life? That is the calling that changed how victims and first responders of the world's worst events received meals in the middle of disater zones.

Local Chef Gary LeBlanc of Portsmouth, VA joins us to share how Mercy Chefs went from a garage operation fueled by personal credit cards to a global relief network serving more than 30 million chef-prepared meals, without compromising quality or humanity. We talk about the moment Katrina exposed the problem with “keep-them-alive” food, and how a tilt skillet, smart logistics, and a relentless standard turned empty parking lots into working kitchens within hours.

Gary opens the playbook: arrive fast, cook at scale, and always plate with dignity, recognizable protein, starch, veg, and fresh-baked bread or dessert. We dig into the early skepticism from legacy groups, the proof that followed, his wife's incredible support, and the mental-health guardrails that help teams serve through the hardest days, including the shift from search and rescue to recovery. From Asheville’s long tail of need, where a black bear literally followed the bakery smells, to building out permanent community kitchens and maintaining a 12-hour deployment goal, the story is equal parts operational grit and human warmth.

We also explore the Family Grocery Box program (70 servings, recipes, spices, QR codes) designed to refill empty pantries when survivors return home, and the global training model spreading in Honduras, El Salvador, and Argentina. Politics never enters the serving line; one question guides everything: Are you hungry? If this conversation moves you, come closer. Volunteer, donate, or share the episode to help more people find it. Then tell us: what would you cook first when hope needs a plate? 

Please support Mercy Chefs here: https://mercychefs.com/ 

and on IG here: https://www.instagram.com/mercychefs/

Thank you Chef Gary for being a shining example of love and compassion and using your culinary talents to massive scale and for your faith and stedfast leadership with your wife to keep this mission going!

Welcome to the show! Burnt Hands Perspective

Support the show

VIRTUAL TIP JAR: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2388325/support

CONTACT US: 
[email protected]
IG @Theburnthandsperspective

*The views and opinions on this show are meant for entertainment purposes only. They do not reflect the views of our sponsors. We are not here to babysit your feelings, if you are a true industry pro, you will know that what we say is meant to make you laugh and have a great time. If you don't get that, this is not the podcast for you. You've been warned. Enjoy the ride! 

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The championship ring catches your eye first, but the story behind it is what sticks: a mother of four who stared down an MS diagnosis, reshaped her life with protein-forward eating and training, and found strength, physical and mental, standing over open flames. Sunny Lynn, the force behind Grill Fit, joins us at the World Food Championships to show how live-fire cooking can be the most flavorful and sustainable path to health when you respect the science and keep the focus on real ingredients.

We trace Sunny’s arc from backyard four-meat competitions to a record-setting world steak title, then into whole hog where anatomy and patience meet precision. Along the way, she dismantles the biggest myths about barbecue and wellness: why beef tallow and duck fat outperform seed oils at high heat, how spice blends without sugar or MSG build cleaner bark and brighter flavor, and what it takes to run a clean fire that avoids acrid smoke and burnt glaze. Sunny explains why “protein is king,” how black pepper and smart seasoning support absorption and satiety, and why minimal sauce can actually unlock the true character of your meat and vegetables.

This conversation also spotlights the grit behind the craft. Live fire is a solo sport, no assistants, heavy iron, relentless heat, and Sunny embraces the level of fitness it demands. At home, her four daughters compete, they cook, and they turn weeknights into practice for life, proving that a family table built on fire can be both joyful and genuinely healthy. We swap techniques between kitchen and pit, talk two-zone setups, precise temps, and live-fire desserts, and map simple steps anyone can use to make “healthy” taste like a celebration.

If this sparks your appetite for strong flavor and stronger habits, follow Sunny at Sunny Lynn underscore grilled fit on Instagram, find her on Facebook, and keep an eye on sunnymoody.com for her upcoming cookbook. Enjoy the episode? Subscribe, share with a friend who loves the grill, and leave a quick review to help others discover the fire.

Connect with Sunny here: https://www.instagram.com/sunnylynn_grilledfit/

Welcome to the show! Burnt Hands Perspective

Support the show

VIRTUAL TIP JAR: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2388325/support

CONTACT US: 
[email protected]
IG @Theburnthandsperspective

*The views and opinions on this show are meant for entertainment purposes only. They do not reflect the views of our sponsors. We are not here to babysit your feelings, if you are a true industry pro, you will know that what we say is meant to make you laugh and have a great time. If you don't get that, this is not the podcast for you. You've been warned. Enjoy the ride! 

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Thousand-cover Sundays, a half-size kitchen, and a turkey-pot burner pulling fry duty, this conversation opens inside the controlled chaos that forged a chef who would later run a multi-unit brand. 

We sit down with Rob to trace the arc from CIA grad and PM kitchen manager to executive chef, GM, Sysco corporate chef, and now COO of the recently rebranded Taste Unlimited, unpacking what it actually takes to scale beyond a single line while keeping soul, branding,  and standards intact.

We revisit the 1998 Virginia Beach dining boom and pull hard-won lessons from the line: building speed without losing quality, improvising when equipment falls short, and navigating menus when a $9.99 prime rib was still a thing. Rob explains the leap from back-of-house to full P&L responsibility, the Sysco years spent educating top customers, and the lost art, and current opportunities, of food shows, where chefs learn by seeing whole animals broken down, testing gear, and building relationships that still move product and careers.

The playbook for small-batch makers gets specific. Work with your state Department of Agriculture. In Virginia, leverage Virginia’s Finest and the Virginia Specialty Food Association for endorsements, shared booths, and buyer intros. Backpack your samples into national shows like Fancy Food, hit the seminars, and walk up to speakers and buyers. It’s boots-on-the-ground, not magic, and one container order can change the year. When we turn to growth of Taste, we get an inside look at brand discipline: protecting trademarks, defending visual identity, and growing to nine stores plus catering, e-commerce, and a bakehouse without chasing every trend. 

We close the convo on culture and ownership. Taste’s ESOP conversion brought 150 team members into the cap table, aligning pride with performance and giving sandwich makers to drivers a real stake in outcomes. Guests may be dining out less, but they’re demanding better; operators who reinvest in people, process, and product win. If you care about restaurant operations, brand building, or getting your sauce from garage to shelf, this one is packed with moves you can use today.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend in food, and leave a quick review, what was your biggest takeaway?

Visit and support Taste at https://www.tasteunlimited.com/ and on IG at https://www.instagram.com/tasteunlimited/

Welcome to the show! Burnt Hands Perspective

Support the show

VIRTUAL TIP JAR: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2388325/support

CONTACT US: 
[email protected]
IG @Theburnthandsperspective

*The views and opinions on this show are meant for entertainment purposes only. They do not reflect the views of our sponsors. We are not here to babysit your feelings, if you are a true industry pro, you will know that what we say is meant to make you laugh and have a great time. If you don't get that, this is not the podcast for you. You've been warned. Enjoy the ride! 

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A jet-black rose ravioli, a purple “lean” sauce with Houston swagger, and a taco journey that started outside a mechanic shop—this conversation cooks. 

We sat down at World Food Championships with Chef Machete, a Houston chef-owner who blends flavor, hip-hop culture, and sharp business instincts to stand out when the supply chain tries to make everyone the same. From candles and drama on the competition stage to tight prep and tighter margins back home, he shows how story and craft can turn a crowded category into your lane.

We get honest about the state of the industry: vendor consolidation pushing independents toward sameness, rising food costs that challenge every menu decision, and third-party delivery fees that quietly punish both operators and guests. Machete explains why he skips the big-box route to source directly from producers, how menu engineering protects quality, and where to draw a line with delivery apps to keep dine-in value intact. His pandemic pivot - The Taco Emergency, a late-night taco lifeline, shows the grit behind the brand and the speed required to survive shocks.

Culture ties it together. From Houston screw tapes to custom grills for his staff and an open kitchen where the machete is both tool and theater, he turns authenticity into marketing without feeling like marketing. We talk about team-building that allows owners to travel, collaborate, and learn, the discipline to cut toxic hires within 90 days, and the mindset to close locations that don’t fit before they drag the brand down. 

Rapid-fire questions reveal the craft beneath the show: herb prep done right, live-fire respect, leadership on the pass, and a love for visuals that move people to taste.

If you’re a chef, operator, or food-obsessed fan, you’ll leave with practical ideas on creativity under constraint, pricing strategy, vendor choices, and social storytelling that actually resonates. Hit follow, share this with a friend who loves bold food and bolder moves, and drop a review to tell us your wildest late-night taco order.

Follow Chef Machete at https://www.instagram.com/real_chef_machete/?hl=en on IG

Buy his "purple sauce" here: https://chefmachete.com/collections/buy-lean-sauce

Check out his spot in Houston, TX here: https://www.instagram.com/gordo_ninos_nasa/?hl=en

Welcome to the show! Burnt Hands Perspective

Support the show

VIRTUAL TIP JAR: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2388325/support

CONTACT US: 
[email protected]
IG @Theburnthandsperspective

*The views and opinions on this show are meant for entertainment purposes only. They do not reflect the views of our sponsors. We are not here to babysit your feelings, if you are a true industry pro, you will know that what we say is meant to make you laugh and have a great time. If you don't get that, this is not the podcast for you. You've been warned. Enjoy the ride! 

Send us Fan Mail

We welcome social media influencer Stormy Blue [ hey #StormChasers }and her to discuss her journey from accidental content creator to trusted food and event authority in Hampton Roads, VA, and how she balances authenticity with responsibility in her platform of over 150,000 followers.

This episode will touch on everything from growing your brand to how restaurant owners should utilize influencers to grow their local reach the RIGHT way. 

Stormy answers all of our questions in this convo, including:

• How she started on TikTok during COVID, reviewing wines based on "how many glasses it took to get lit" 
• Transitioning to food content when a casual brunch post went viral
• Building a platform over five years and what it takes to keep it going
• Choosing not to post negative reviews, and how she gives direct feedback to restaurant owners to help them improve
• How she vets businesses before promoting them by checking their social media and existing reviews
• Carefully balancing monetization with authenticity to maintain trust
• Selecting food trucks for the Cousins Festival in Norfolk, VA
• Revealing she is learning electric guitar, and her real name is actually Stormy
• Favorite cuisines and rapid-fire fun questions with Chef Tony and KC

This is a GREAT episode for the wanna be influencers out there who give the others a bad name in the food and beverage business. Tune in, turn up the volume, and we will bring the heat! 

SMASH that subscribe and help us grow the show and continue to bring real conversations to light about ALL aspects of the industry and what makes it so amazing! 

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Stormy on Instagram at @_stormyblue and TikTok at @StormyBluee to keep up with the Hampton Roads food scene and more!

Welcome to the show! Burnt Hands Perspective

Support the show

VIRTUAL TIP JAR: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2388325/support

CONTACT US: 
[email protected]
IG @Theburnthandsperspective

*The views and opinions on this show are meant for entertainment purposes only. They do not reflect the views of our sponsors. We are not here to babysit your feelings, if you are a true industry pro, you will know that what we say is meant to make you laugh and have a great time. If you don't get that, this is not the podcast for you. You've been warned. Enjoy the ride! 

Send us Fan Mail

"I know the owner", "Why don't you have high-chairs", and more... the entitled customers we deal with and how to handle them. Let's Go! 

We celebrate one year of the podcast by going in and tackling the growing problem of customer entitlement in restaurants, exploring how post-COVID culture has changed expectations between diners, bartenders, and staff.

Chef Tony gets real on the following:

• Balloons and party decorations disrupt the dining experience for other guests and damage the restaurant's ambiance
• Free birthday desserts aren't standard at fine dining establishments. When serving dozens of celebrations nightly, it becomes financially unsustainable
• Children in restaurants isn't about disliking kids, but about parents who don't manage behavior in adult dining environments
• Dress code violations range from revealing clubwear to pajamas, reflecting a lack of respect for the establishment's atmosphere
• VIP status is determined by staff based on relationship, respect, and patronage - not by customers claiming special treatment
• "I know the owner" claims are rarely meaningful and won't result in preferential treatment, just stop.
• Quality food and cooking takes time, and customer impatience won't speed up proper preparation techniques

What else? What did we miss that drives you crazy as a worker OR as a customer? We want to know!!! Comment below...

Also, if you've enjoyed this season of Burnt Hands, please subscribe to our podcast and follow us for updates on Season Five. Your support means everything to us! Every follow and subscribe helps us grow and continue to do what we do, so smash it for us and get ready for year two! 

Welcome to the show! Burnt Hands Perspective

Support the show

VIRTUAL TIP JAR: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2388325/support

CONTACT US: 
[email protected]
IG @Theburnthandsperspective

*The views and opinions on this show are meant for entertainment purposes only. They do not reflect the views of our sponsors. We are not here to babysit your feelings, if you are a true industry pro, you will know that what we say is meant to make you laugh and have a great time. If you don't get that, this is not the podcast for you. You've been warned. Enjoy the ride! 

Send us Fan Mail

Ever wondered what it takes to build a thriving business empire from scratch? Tony DiSilvestro, founder of Ynot (Tony spelled backwards) Pizza and serial entrepreneur with over 30 companies under his belt, pulls back the curtain on his remarkable journey from pizza maker to business mentor.

Starting in 1993, Tony bootstrapped his way to success, eventually expanding to eight locations before COVID forced him to scale back. But what makes his story truly fascinating isn't the number of businesses he's built; it's the philosophy behind them. "I'm only in one business, the people business," he explains, revealing how this mindset transformed his approach to entrepreneurship.

Tony shares the pivotal moment when he finally "took off his apron" after 15 years of 100-hour workweeks. This shift from being merely a business owner to becoming a true entrepreneur allowed him to scale beyond what he thought possible. His insights on creating robust systems rather than relying on individual talent are gold for anyone struggling to grow their business while maintaining quality.

What sets Tony apart is his approach to failure; rather than blaming employees, he looks inward first and creates systems to prevent future mistakes. This self-critical approach has fueled his success across industries, from restaurants to construction to his current focus on business coaching. 

His three brand pillars - family, quality, and community - have guided his decisions for decades, resulting in loyal customers and Little League sponsorships. We dive into branding, social media, and franchising all in one fast-paced episode! 

Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey or looking to scale an existing business or restaurant, Tony's wisdom on leadership, situational awareness, and the power of systems will transform how you approach your venture. 

Find his book "The Business Scaling Blueprint" anywhere books are sold, or visit him at Ynot Pizza in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake to experience his philosophy in action.

https://tonydisilvestro.com/

https://www.ynotitalian.com/locations/

Welcome to the show! Burnt Hands Perspective

Support the show

VIRTUAL TIP JAR: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2388325/support

CONTACT US: 
[email protected]
IG @Theburnthandsperspective

*The views and opinions on this show are meant for entertainment purposes only. They do not reflect the views of our sponsors. We are not here to babysit your feelings, if you are a true industry pro, you will know that what we say is meant to make you laugh and have a great time. If you don't get that, this is not the podcast for you. You've been warned. Enjoy the ride! 

Send us Fan Mail

We woke up and chose violence today with this episode, BHP Fam! Let's get real...

Ever wonder why your server grimaces slightly when you mention you're gluten-free or vegan? In this candid, no-holds-barred episode, we pull back the curtain on one of the restaurant industry's most challenging topics: accommodating specialized diets like veganism, vegetarianism, and gluten-free requirements.

The numbers tell a fascinating story. True vegans represent just 1% of the population. Celiac disease affects another 1%. Yet somehow, these small percentages drive massive menu changes and kitchen accommodations across the restaurant landscape. We break down the statistics and explain why catering to these specialized diets creates significant operational challenges during busy service, essentially requiring chefs to become "personal chefs" for individual diners while simultaneously serving hundreds of others.

We explore why many self-diagnosed food sensitivities might actually stem from poor-quality ingredients rather than the foods themselves. Many Americans who can't tolerate domestic wheat products find they can happily consume European breads and pastas without issue. Similarly, many processed vegan alternatives contain more additives and chemicals than the single-ingredient animal products they replace.

This isn't about dismissing legitimate dietary needs or ethical choices. It's about setting realistic expectations in the restaurant-customer relationship. Just as you wouldn't expect a sushi restaurant to serve the perfect ribeye, not every restaurant concept can accommodate every dietary preference.

For diners with specialized needs, we offer practical advice: research menus before dining out, communicate with restaurants in advance, and understand that some concepts simply aren't designed for certain dietary restrictions. And for those who have self-diagnosed food sensitivities, we suggest exploring higher-quality ingredients before eliminating entire food groups from your diet, or go through the proper testing to verify your issues. If it doesn't sit well in your gut... don't eat it. 

Listen in for an unfiltered look at food service from the chef's perspective, and gain insights that might forever change how you order your next meal.

Welcome to the show! Burnt Hands Perspective

Support the show

VIRTUAL TIP JAR: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2388325/support

CONTACT US: 
[email protected]
IG @Theburnthandsperspective

*The views and opinions on this show are meant for entertainment purposes only. They do not reflect the views of our sponsors. We are not here to babysit your feelings, if you are a true industry pro, you will know that what we say is meant to make you laugh and have a great time. If you don't get that, this is not the podcast for you. You've been warned. Enjoy the ride! 

Send us Fan Mail

We dive into our first-ever Ask Me Anything episode, tackling questions from our audience that range from serious industry insights to hilarious personal preferences. This is UNCENSORED, so be ready to hear it all. LOL

• Early career challenges, including difficulty advancing in the kitchen 
• The most overused ingredient in modern cooking
• Chef Tony's approach to difficult customers
• Death row meal choices revealed
• Best advice for industry newcomers
• Maintaining menu innovations
• The challenges of bartender-customer interaction in the age of smartphones
• Chef Tony admits to his meltdown moment in the kitchen
• The best flour for pasta making at home

And even some hot takes on dating crazy women and body part preferences are in this one. Thank you all for your questions, and we will be doing these once a season now as well!

Make sure you submit your questions when we post them again on IG!

Welcome to the show! Burnt Hands Perspective

Support the show

VIRTUAL TIP JAR: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2388325/support

CONTACT US: 
[email protected]
IG @Theburnthandsperspective

*The views and opinions on this show are meant for entertainment purposes only. They do not reflect the views of our sponsors. We are not here to babysit your feelings, if you are a true industry pro, you will know that what we say is meant to make you laugh and have a great time. If you don't get that, this is not the podcast for you. You've been warned. Enjoy the ride!