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🔥 INSPIRING & BRUTAL! Meet Courtney McQuiery - chef/owner of Restaurant Blanca who literally worked the line until she went into labor!

Courtney's INCREDIBLE Journey:

✅ UVA Politics Major → Culinary School → NYC kitchens → Charleston stages
✅ Worked at Rebelle NYC under Daniel Eddy (her mentor who changed everything)
✅ Staged in Italy learning authentic techniques in Tuscany
✅ Opened Blanca 8 years ago and built it into Hampton Roads' premier restaurant
✅ Worked the line while PREGNANT - literally until labor started!
✅ Working mom of 2 running a restaurant empire

The FUN and CRAZY Moments:
👶 Baby crying during the interview (REAL working mom life!)
🍳 Worked the line until she went into labor with Kevin
🏠 Kids do homework in the restaurant office every night
💪 Had to learn to let go and trust her team to maintain quality
🇮🇹 Brought back gouda from Aruba in 8th grade (early food signs!)

Key Lessons:
You CAN'T do everything yourself - delegation is survival
Quality actually IMPROVED when she stepped back from the line
Motherhood changed her leadership style for the better
Building a restaurant while raising kids is possible but HARD
Female chefs face unique challenges but bring incredible strength

Restaurant Blanca - where technique meets heart, and every dish tells a story of perseverance!

Follow Courtney & Blanca:
Instagram: @restaurantblanca
Follow Burnt Hands Perspective:
Instagram: @theburnthandsperspective

#FemaleChef #WorkingMom #PregnantChef #RestaurantBlanca #BurntHandsPerspective #WomenInKitchens #ChefMom

Welcome to the show! Burnt Hands Perspective

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VIRTUAL TIP JAR: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2388325/support

CONTACT US:
www.burnthandsperspective.com
info@reframeyourbrand.com
IG @Theburnthandsperspective

Thank you to our location sponsor, Luce Secondo, located in Summit Pointe in Chesapeake, VA www.lucesecondo.com

For sponsorship opportunities, don't hesitate to get in touch with us directly.

*The views and opinions on this show are meant for entertainment purposes only. They do not reflect the views of our sponsors. We are not here to babysit your feelings, if you are a true industry pro, you will know that what we say is meant to make you laugh and have a great time. If you don't get that, this is not the podcast for you. You've been warned. Enjoy the ride!

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🔥 BRUTAL REALITY CHECK! Chef Antonio Caruana opens up about the harsh truth of chef owner burnout after 14 years of running restaurants!

What We Cover:
✅ The Beautiful Dream - Why every chef wants their own place
✅ The Harsh Reality - When bills pile up and problems multiply
✅ Identity Crisis - From chef to HR, accountant, plumber, therapist
✅ Mental Health Toll - The scars that money can't heal
✅ Survival Tips - How to manage burnout (because you CAN'T avoid it)

SHOCKING Truths:
🍽️ You stop being a chef and become everything else
💰 First year is glorious, year 2-3 is when reality hits
🧠 Your mental health takes the biggest beating
👥 You're responsible for 100+ people's livelihoods
⏰ It took 8 years to find a real pattern that works

Key Takeaways:
Failure is NOT an option - don't start unless you're all in
Get legal protection with partners (protect your recipes!)
Find investors, not partners who want control
Your "happy place" is ESSENTIAL for survival
Work-life balance is BS - it's just life, choose your priorities

From someone who's lived it for 14 years - this isn't about discouraging dreams, it's about preparing you for the reality!

🎧 SUBSCRIBE to Burnt Hands Perspective!
🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts too!

Follow us: @theburnthandsperspective on IG and FB

#ChefOwnerBurnout #RestaurantOwner #BurntHandsPerspective #ChefLife #RestaurantIndustry #MentalHealth #ChefAntonio

Welcome to the show! Burnt Hands Perspective

Support the show

VIRTUAL TIP JAR: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2388325/support

CONTACT US:
www.burnthandsperspective.com
info@reframeyourbrand.com
IG @Theburnthandsperspective

Thank you to our location sponsor, Luce Secondo, located in Summit Pointe in Chesapeake, VA www.lucesecondo.com

For sponsorship opportunities, don't hesitate to get in touch with us directly.

*The views and opinions on this show are meant for entertainment purposes only. They do not reflect the views of our sponsors. We are not here to babysit your feelings, if you are a true industry pro, you will know that what we say is meant to make you laugh and have a great time. If you don't get that, this is not the podcast for you. You've been warned. Enjoy the ride!

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🎵 LEGENDARY Interview! Meet Rick Mersel- owner of Norfolk's iconic music venue The Norva and new author who's connecting music and food in ways you've never imagined! Join us at the end for a backstage tour of the infamous hot tub, the basketball court, and stories on everyone from rom the Godfather of Soul to Billie Eilish! (get ready! lol)

What we dive into this convo and an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour:
✅ The Norva Legacy - Norfolk's premier music venue
✅ Music + Food Connection - How focusing on food brought in artists
✅ New Book Release - Exploring the relationship between culinary and musical arts
✅ Norfolk Music Scene - Building a cultural hub in Hampton Roads
✅ Venue Management Secrets - What it takes to run a legendary music venue

AMAZING Stories:
🎸 Behind-the-scenes tales from major artists at The Norva
🍽️ How food experiences create lasting memories with music
📚 The inspiration behind writing about music and culinary connections
🏢 Transforming Norfolk's entertainment landscape
🎤 Supporting both national acts and local talent

From someone who's dedicated his life to music and hospitality - this is about creating experiences that go beyond just the show!

Whether you're a music lover, foodie, or entrepreneur, Rick's insights on building community through entertainment and dining will inspire you.

Get Rick's new book here: https://amzn.to/4stabxx

Follow The Norva:
Website: thenorva.com
Social: @thenorva

Follow Burnt Hands Perspective:
Instagram: @theburnthandsperspective


Subscribe for more inspiring stories!
#TheNorva #Norfolk #MusicVenue #BurntHandsPerspective #MusicAndFood #Norfolk757 #LiveMusic #HamptonRoads

Welcome to the show! Burnt Hands Perspective

Support the show

VIRTUAL TIP JAR: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2388325/support

CONTACT US:
www.burnthandsperspective.com
info@reframeyourbrand.com
IG @Theburnthandsperspective

Thank you to our location sponsor, Luce Secondo, located in Summit Pointe in Chesapeake, VA www.lucesecondo.com

For sponsorship opportunities, don't hesitate to get in touch with us directly.

*The views and opinions on this show are meant for entertainment purposes only. They do not reflect the views of our sponsors. We are not here to babysit your feelings, if you are a true industry pro, you will know that what we say is meant to make you laugh and have a great time. If you don't get that, this is not the podcast for you. You've been warned. Enjoy the ride!