In this episode of Repertoire, I continue my conversation with James Beard Award–winning chef and Saltbox Seafood Joint founder Ricky Moore—a man who’s turned frying fish into an act of storytelling, mentorship, and self-discovery.

In Part 2, we dig even deeper into Ricky’s philosophy on leadership, culture, and the craft of cooking. What begins as a conversation about building better kitchens evolves into a masterclass on purpose and presence. Ricky and I dig into what it truly means to lead, create, and sustain culture in the modern restaurant world.

We dive into:

• The responsibility of chefs to lead with empathy—and how accountability shapes healthy work culture.
• Why joy and discipline can coexist in the kitchen, and how the old “angry chef” archetype has no place in modern hospitality.
• Breaking cycles of fear-based leadership and replacing them with creativity, intention, and love.
• The evolution of American food culture—and what it means to protect tradition while embracing technology.
• A chef’s science talk on steak perfection, sous vide precision, and the beauty of rendering fat just right.
• The connective tissue between global cuisines—from Basque salted cod to North Carolina seafood—and how storytelling ties it all together.

And then, the rhythm shifts. The conversation flows into hip hop, creativity, and the parallels between music and food. We talk about:

• The shared language of authenticity, individuality, and storytelling, rejecting “corny” personas in both art forms.
• How the golden age of hip hop shaped our generation’s worldview — referencing Busy Bee, Jay-Z, and the pioneers of Wild Style — and how those voices came from Black and brown resilience and trauma.
• The way rap continues to mature alongside its founders, with veteran MCs still pushing culture forward—just as seasoned chefs continue to innovate in their craft.
• And how artists like RZA and Mos Def embodied conscious lyricism and social awareness—long before “woke” became a headline.

This is Ricky Moore in full form: reflective, relentless, and rooted in respect for the people who make restaurants run. It’s not just a conversation about food—it’s about rhythm, leadership, culture, and the future we’re building one plate at a time.

Watch Part 2 of Repertoire featuring Ricky Moore on YouTube, or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

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