217: Chef Patrick Mulvaney I Got Your Back

Chef Life Radio: Strategies to Empower Culinary Leadership for Success, Sanity, and Satisfaction in the Culinary Industry

If you're feeling the frustration of implementing mental health initiatives in the restaurant industry, only to see minimal improvement in outcomes despite your best efforts, then you are not alone!

“Creating an environment where it's okay not to be okay and talk, to provide peer guidance, and also then to have resources available for people.” ~ Chef Patrick Mulvaney

IN THE WEEDS? IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS IN CRISIS, CALL 988, PRESS 1 FOR VETERANS, PRESS 2 FOR SPANISH

My special guest is Chef Patrick Mulvaney.

Meet the inspirational Chef Patrick Mulvaney, a culinary talent with a mission to support mental health in the restaurant world.

Hailing from Queens, New York, Patrick discovered his passion for the farm-to-table experience in Sacramento, California, where he opened his beloved restaurant, Mulvaney BNL.

With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those in his industry, Patrick founded "I Got Your Back," a program to cultivate a supportive environment for restaurant staff.

His unwavering dedication to fostering open communication and empathy sets Patrick apart as a true advocate for change in the hospitality industry.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Gain valuable insights into the crucial role of mental health in the restaurant industry.
• Discover the remarkable Purple Hand program, designed to raise mental health awareness and support for professionals in the field.
• Grasp the unique challenges of taking on leadership positions within the restaurant industry.
• Learn effective methods for fostering a culture of vulnerability and open communication among staff.
• Identify essential crisis resources and support systems accessible to restaurant employees.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Visit the I Got Your Back program website to learn more about the mental health resources available for hospitality workers.
• Consider implementing the purple hand position in your workplace to provide peer guidance and support.
• Check out Not 9 to 5, an organization that provides mental health training tailored to the hospitality industry.
• Practice asking How are you doing? Really? To open up opportunities for conversation and support with colleagues and friends.
• Support local farmers and producers by shopping at farmers' markets and building relationships with those who grow and harvest our food.

“More important than being able to share is being able to accept that grace, to be able to accept the love and help that people want to offer to you.” ~ Chef Patrick Mulvaney

Dive deeper into this episode, including bonus content, links mentioned in the show, and information about other programs supporting mental health awareness in the hospitality industry; click here.

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The key moments in this episode are:

(00:00:00) - Introduction

(00:01:09) - Celebrating Sacramento's Agriculture

(00:07:17) - I Got Your Back Program

(00:09:35) - Bourdain's Death

(00:10:57) - Creating a Supportive Environment

(00:15:05) - Importance of Mental Health

(00:17:53) - The Responsibility of the Purple Hand

(00:21:27) - Directing People to Resources

(00:23:35) - Training and Mentoring

(00:25:06) - Success of the Purple Hand Program