Episode 10: Food, Freedom & Finding Your Path with Benjamin Castro

Episode Summary:

Host Brandi welcomes TikTok star and culinary educator Benjamin Castro who shares his journey from 20+ years in food and beverage management to building his own online cooking school.

Benjamin reveals how leaving the restaurant industry improved his health, how he helps students save money at grocery stores, and why teaching cooking is about more than just food—it's about building life skills and community.

Key Topics:

• Benjamin's journey from food & beverage director to entrepreneurship
• How to avoid grocery store "scams" like misleading sales and BOGO offers
• The importance of cooking from scratch for health and finances
• Why food is central to all of life's celebrations and challenges
• Finding the courage to leave a career after 20+ years
• The mental freedom of working for yourself

Guest Spotlight:

Benjamin Castro - Former food and beverage director with 20+ years of restaurant industry experience who now runs an online cooking school teaching everyday people how to cook from scratch, save money at the grocery store, and build essential life skills.

• "That one thing that constantly is there that you're ignoring, that you're saying that's not possible—it's completely possible. All it takes is taking that first step."
• "Welcome home is a mindset of being where I'm supposed to be. I needed to work for me."
• "Food is always there. When you celebrate something—food. When someone passes away—food. Everything associates around food."

Resources:

Benjamin's online cooking program - $25/month membership offering live cooking classes, grocery shopping tours, and quick-fire tutorials

• Food Talk TV - Benjamin's Thursday cooking show on TikTok
• Legendary - The business education platform where Brandi and Benjamin met

Quick Fire Favorites:

• Favorite dish: Tacos (but Japanese food overall)
• Favorite sauce: Green tomatillo salsa
• Favorite dessert: Cheese plate
• Favorite knife: "Any knife—it's about learning how to cut"

Let's Stay Connected:

• TikTok/Instagram/YouTube/Threads: @benjamins.kitchen
• Website: Access Benjamin's cooking program through any of his social media links

Final Thoughts!

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Remember, we're all just walking each other home, step by step, day by day.