Michael Matarazzo | Episode 67

Michael Matarazzo has an impressive resume.   He was formally trained at The Culinary Institute of America.  He was named USA’s Chef of the Year by The American Culinary Federation.  He has been to the Culinary Olympics both as a competitor and coach.  He is an ACF Certified Competition Judge and has received numerous medals, both domestic and international in his 20 year culinary career and is currently the Executive Chef at Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville, Virginia and host of “Kitchen Brain” Podcast.  It was during the intense and extensive preparation of the Master Chef Exam that the focus and intensity that drove Michael to be successful also drove him to have extreme mental stress.  He withdrew from the exam.  He now says that this was the best thing to ever happen to him.  Asked to speak at a conference, he decided to get honest and vulnerable about his mental health journey.  The response was overwhelmingly positive and the attendees were inspired to share their struggles with him.  Now, he is Life Coach and Founder of Be Better Culinary Perspectives and Founder of Chefs for Change.  In this week’s episode Michael provides guidance for self-care and advises on empowering yourself, your teammates and your employees.