From Going Vegan to Restaurant Ownership | Richard Glenn’s Journey

What makes someone completely change the way they eat—and eventually turn that journey into something bigger? 🌱👨🏾‍🍳

In this episode of 8ighty 6ix, I sit down with Richard Glenn to talk about his journey through veganism, the restaurant industry, entrepreneurship, and the experiences that shaped the direction of his career.

Richard breaks down what made him become vegan, how that decision changed his relationship with food, and how he eventually found his way into the restaurant business.

But this conversation goes beyond food.

Richard and I also go back to our time working together, so we get into some of the experiences we shared, what the industry looked like for us at that point in our careers, and how much both of our paths have evolved since then.

We get into:

• What pushed Richard to become vegan

• How veganism changed the way he viewed food

• His journey into the restaurant business

• The realities of restaurant ownership and entrepreneurship

• How Richard and I originally crossed paths

• Stories from our time working together

• Career growth and finding your own lane

• Betting on yourself in the hospitality industry

• How your relationship with food can evolve over time

• Building something that represents who you are

Sometimes your career doesn’t follow the path you originally imagined. One decision, one opportunity, or even changing the way you live can completely shift where you end up.

That’s what makes Richard’s story worth hearing.

🎧 Season 2 of 8ighty 6ix — available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

📲 @__8ighty6ix
👨🏾‍🍳 @_chefvernjr

#8ighty6ix #RestaurantIndustry #VeganChef #VeganFood #RestaurantOwner #HospitalityIndustry #ChefLife #KitchenCulture #Entrepreneurship

You Can’t Turn the Chef Brain Off | What Chefs Notice When Dining Out

What happens when a chef goes out to eat? You notice EVERYTHING. 😂

In this episode of 8ighty 6ix, I break down what I look for when dining at restaurants—from FOH service and cleanliness to the atmosphere, restaurant noise, ticket times, and how the staff moves.

And if there’s an open kitchen? Yeah… I’m definitely watching the line. 👀👨🏾‍🍳

But it’s not about looking for problems. I genuinely love trying new restaurants, different cuisines, and new food experiences. After years in the restaurant industry, you just learn to see restaurants differently.

We get into:

• What I notice before the food even arrives

• Cleanliness—including the spots people forget about 👀

• How servers move and interact with guests

• “Restaurant loud” vs. just TOO loud

• Watching BOH and kitchen flow

• Knowing when ticket times start getting questionable 😂

• Why chefs still love discovering new food despite analyzing everything

Once kitchen culture becomes part of you, even your night off can turn into a restaurant evaluation. 😂

🎧 Season 2 of 8ighty 6ix — available on Spotify and YouTube.

📲 @__8ighty6ix
👨🏾‍🍳 @_chefvernjr

#8ighty6ix #RestaurantIndustry #KitchenCulture #ChefLife #BOHLife

🎙️ Season 2 of 8ighty 6ix continues!

In this episode, I'm joined by one of my closest friends in the culinary world, Chef Tim Joyner Matz. We met in culinary school, but our careers took different paths after graduation.

Tim took a leap of faith by moving to New Orleans, where he immersed himself in one of America's most respected food cities. Along the way, he worked alongside legendary classical chefs, became a James Beard Award nominee, and built a reputation as a professional baker and master bread maker.

We talk about what it takes to dedicate your life to the craft, the discipline behind classical cooking, and why mastering bread is an art form all its own.

• Our culinary school memories
• Why Chef Tim chose New Orleans
• Learning from elite classical chefs
• Becoming a James Beard Award nominee
• The art and science of bread making
• Life as a professional baker
• Passion vs. paycheck in the restaurant industry
• Advice for aspiring chefs

Whether you're a chef, baker, culinary student, or someone who simply loves food, this conversation is packed with inspiration and insight from someone who has dedicated his life to the craft.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Follow:
📲 @__8ighty6ix
👨🏾‍🍳 @_chefvernjr

In this episode: