André Natera is helping the next generation of cooks cut through the noise—and he’s not afraid to challenge the industry’s old playbook.
After decades of running some of Austin’s best kitchens, André now mentors chefs through his platform Chefs PSA, offering real talk on leadership, career development, and what it actually takes to succeed in today’s culinary world. In this candid conversation, André shares his views on when cooks should find their voice, why mentorship matters, and how health, burnout, and culture have reshaped his own leadership approach.

Takeaways
- Kitchens today demand both technical skill and emotional intelligence.
- Navigating personalities is one of the most critical leadership skills for chefs.
- True creative identity develops over time—not overnight.
- Knife skills and braising remain two of the most foundational techniques.
- Starting strong requires observing and adapting to kitchen culture.
- Burnout solutions aren’t one-size-fits-all; joy in the job matters.
- Mentorship and passing on knowledge fuel long-term impact.
- Health and longevity require conscious choices early in your career.
- Social media has changed how young cooks can access opportunity.

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