In this episode of 8ighty 6ix, I sit down with Joshua Harvey — also known as Chef Vinci — producer, chef, comedian, and actor.

We take it back to where it all started: meeting at the Hilton Atlanta and working together inside Trader Vic’s, navigating hotel kitchens, restaurant culture, and the grind that shapes young chefs.

This conversation dives into:

• The kitchens that built us

• Growth in leadership and identity

• How our cooking styles evolved over time

• The reality and dark side of kitchen culture

• Expanding beyond the line into new creative paths

From hospitality to personal evolution, this episode reflects on friendship, resilience, and what it really takes to grow in the restaurant industry.

If you’ve ever worked in hotels, restaurants, or experienced the intensity of kitchen life, this one will resonate.

🎧 New episodes weekly.
📲 Follow on Instagram: @__8ighty6ix
👨🏾‍🍳 Follow Chef Vern Jr: @_chefvernjr

Welcome to 8ighty 6ix — where we talk about what stays, what goes, and what it really takes to last.

Why do chefs bounce around so much?

In the restaurant industry, it’s normal to see chefs move from kitchen to kitchen. But is it lack of loyalty… or survival?

In this episode of 8ighty 6ix, we break down why so many professionals in kitchen culture switch restaurants — burnout, toxic environments, better pay, growth opportunities, or just chasing something better in their culinary career.

Sometimes it’s about leveling up.
Sometimes it’s about protecting your peace.

If you’ve ever updated your resume after a brutal service, this one’s for you.

🎧 Tap into the hospitality podcast that talks real chef life, restaurant life, and career growth.

📲 @__8ighty6ix
👨🏾‍🍳 @_chefvernjr

Front of House vs Back of House.
It’s a battle that’s been going on in restaurants forever.

In this episode of 8ighty 6ix, we break down the ongoing FOH vs BOH divide—where it started, why it still exists, and how miscommunication, pressure, and misunderstanding keep the cycle alive.

From tipped vs hourly pay to guest-facing stress vs kitchen chaos, this conversation looks at both sides of the line and how each role carries weight the other doesn’t always see. More importantly, we talk about what actually happens when FOH and BOH stop competing and start working together.

If you’ve ever felt unappreciated on either side of the house, this episode will hit home.

🎧 In This Episode:

• Why FOH and BOH clash

• The biggest misunderstandings on both sides

• Pay structure and pressure points

• What changes when the house operates as one team

📲 Follow on Instagram: @__8ighty6ix
👨🏾‍🍳 Follow Chef Vern Jr on IG & TikTok: @_chefvernjr

👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for weekly 8ighty 6ix episodes
🎙️ Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube