As someone who was interested in food from multiple angles at a very young age and who created a reverse flow chart to find out exactly what was the best career choice for them, food celebrity and host of many different popular shows, Adam Richman, is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to all things food. I could tell immediately that this is a man obsessed with, not just food, but the stories of the food and the intrepid souls who created these ingenious flavors, techniques, and methods that shaped the way we eat today.

And honestly, when I read the email and thought about it, I figured I would at least interview him, and if it sucked and I didn’t feel like it belonged, then I would simply not publish it. But after sitting with him for nearly 2 hours, I had such a good time just talking about food from multiple different directions, and we covered some really heavy topics that could be applicable lessons to you in your career. Also, it’s just a damn entertaining podcast, so I figured, what the hell, let’s do it!

Here's what was discussed:

• Why Pennsylvania was so important to the food industry in America
• The challenge of being a journeyman food celebrity
• Adam’s connection to the world famous Rockaway Parkway Di Fara pizza
• His regret with not taking advantage of the rich multicultural community he grew up in
• Adam’s early indoctrination into learning sushi
• Adam’s three kitchen essentials to be successful
• Our mutual distain for the smell of grease traps and degreaser at the end of service
• Kitchen saboteurs around you and why you have to stash towels
• Adam’s most memorable experiences on Man v Food
• The importance of staying humble even as you become the chef. Don’t smell your own shit!
• The pressures of being a TV celebrity
• Does a club sandwich indicate the quality of a hotel?
• The keys to competitive eating
• The importance of understanding capsaicin and what it can do to your skin
• Why bananas may be your key to a nice morning after a 🌶️ night
• Adam’s new show on the History Channel
• Why Adam decided to become a shareholder in a English “football” club
• The beauty of a DiNic’s sandwich out of the Reading Terminal in Philadelphia

A huge shout out to our sponsors, Maxwell McKenney and Singer Equipment, for their unwavering support, which allows us to be able to bring these conversations to you. Check out their websites for all the amazing equipment they can supply your restaurant with to make your team more efficient and successful.