Restaurant Ready

Chef Chris Shepherd isn’t just feeding people—he’s feeding an entire industry’s future.

The James Beard Award-winning chef behind Underbelly and founder of Southern Smoke shares his powerful journey: from building restaurants to building one of hospitality’s most impactful foundations. Chef Chris reflects on closing restaurants, leadership evolution, financial lessons, and why advocacy for hospitality workers is more urgent than ever. This conversation is both deeply personal and broadly relevant for anyone leading in today’s hospitality world.

Takeaways
  • Hospitality starts internally—with your team, not just guests.
  • Every challenge is a learning experience, not a failure.
  • Community impact often begins with small, highly personal decisions.
  • Disaster relief efforts revealed deep gaps in how hospitality workers are supported.
  • Mental health care must be prioritized across the industry.
  • Legal, financial, and operational education is critical for long-term sustainability.
  • Leadership means knowing when to say “no” to distractions.
  • You can’t scale generosity without structure and systems.
Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest?

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What is Restaurant Ready?

RESTAURANT READY: THE BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
Restaurant Ready is your backstage pass to the inner workings of the hospitality industry’s brightest stars. This podcast promises authentic discussions with the most influential chefs, restaurateurs, and food media experts. Award-winning chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author Matt Jennings, along with the MAJC team, helm this weekly podcast.

In each episode, industry veterans sit down for candid conversations revealing the honest stories behind their achievements, exploring the strategies, philosophies, and lessons learned along the way that shaped their path to success. Learn from the guests’ unique formula for creating consistent positive results in their business and personal lives.
Restaurant Ready delivers unparalleled value for restaurant owners, chefs, and managers looking to elevate their careers and businesses.

Listen in for a unique, no-holds-barred exploration of what it takes to thrive in the competitive world of hospitality. With each episode, we will discuss the state of the industry, the challenges we face and how to approach them, and ideas from the experts on how to best prepare yourself for success. You'll walk away with new ideas, and inspiration, as well as a greater sense of community and support as you drive your own success story.