E19: Why We’re Losing Chefs — and How CHOW’s Fixing It

What if the same passion that drives your success is quietly breaking you down?

In this powerful episode of The Perfect Rise, Chef Kimberly Houston sits down with Jasmin Vitolo Parks-Papadopoulos, Chief Growth Officer at CHOW (Culinary Hospitality Outreach & Wellness), to unpack the unspoken truth of life in hospitality — and what it really takes to build healthier kitchens.

You’ll hear:
• The emotional story behind CHOW’s founding after Anthony Bourdain’s passing
• The “temperature take” check-in every kitchen needs to know
• Why burnout, anxiety, and substance misuse show up differently in our industry
• How the Amuse’ course helps leaders spot and support struggling staff
• The real language to use in hard conversations — thanks to CHOW’s legally vetted Scripts for Challenging Conversations
• One tiny, real-world action every owner, chef, or manager can take this week

CHOW’s mission is simple: Serving those who serve us.
Every meeting, every resource, every story is designed by people who’ve lived this life — chefs, bakers, servers, and owners committed to creating a more sustainable future for our industry.

💡 Get Involved
Join a free CHOW meeting or access resources: https://chowco.org
RBA Members: Find CHOW resources inside RBA Connect
Free Tools: Amuse’ Course • Workplace Wellness Toolkit • Scripts for Challenging Conversations

Become a Member