In today’s episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, host Michael Chernow sits down with acclaimed NYC chef, author, restaurateur, and filmmaker Chris Scott for a raw and inspiring conversation about what life in the hospitality industry is really like—beyond the recipes and restaurants.

Chris and Michael take a look under the hood (yes, this pun applies to restaurants, too):

• The state of the restaurant business in New York City and what makes it such a high-stakes environment.
  

• The major difference between restaurants and retail—and why staffing is the ultimate game-changer.
  

• Culinary training and fundamentals: why mastering the basics is the heartbeat of every successful chef.
  

• Nightmares from the kitchen that will make you cringe, laugh, and nod in recognition.
  

• The unique personalities in restaurants—employees, managers, and customers—and how to navigate them all.
  

• The humanity behind hospitality, where every employee is balancing their own ups and downs while serving others.

From sink-or-swim environments to personal growth forged in the fire of the kitchen, this episode is packed with real stories, raw truths, and powerful life lessons. If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen—but if you can, this conversation will light you up. See you next week, Kreatures!

TIMESTAMPS:

2:22 – The state of the restaurant business in New York

12:40 – Sink or swim environments

26:02 – Chris's stories about Al Paris

40:34 – The restaurant Michael worked in when he got sober

46:35 – How restaurants differ from other businesses