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.

Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest?
MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early access to the MAJC community, sign up at www.MAJC.ai.

After 14 years with Mina Group and dozens of openings, Chef Adam Sobel has launched his own powerhouse: Ether Group. And he’s bringing everything he’s learned to the table.
In this candid conversation, Adam reflects on scaling across continents, building systems that support people, and the mindset it takes to grow without burning out. From consulting for celebrities to designing soundtracks for dining rooms, Adam explains how Ether is about magic—and how magic only happens when vision meets discipline. He shares lessons in leadership, development, and the future of hospitality business.

Takeaways
- Great food isn’t enough—systems are essential for growth.
- Hospitality is a prerequisite, not a pillar—every detail stems from it.
- Empowering teams starts with sharing ownership, not just tasks.
- Sound, design, and vibe are as important as the menu.
- Training the next generation takes structure, trust, and time.
- Relationships—across guests, teams, and partners—are everything.
- Personal growth and professional excellence go hand in hand.
- There are no shortcuts: the 10,000 hours rule still applies.

Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest?
MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early access to the MAJC community, sign up at www.MAJC.ai.

Katherine Miller believes chefs have the power to shape public policy—and she’s spent her career helping them do exactly that.

In this episode, the author of At the Table: The Chef’s Guide to Advocacy shares how she went from political strategist to hospitality changemaker. Miller unpacks why chefs make natural advocates, what most people get wrong about food systems, and how even small changes—like reducing waste or ditching tipping—can drive large-scale impact. Whether you’re a chef-owner, food advocate, or curious guest, this conversation reveals how food and politics are deeply intertwined.

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Takeaways

• Chefs are powerful cultural translators and community influencers.
• Advocacy requires purpose and consistency.
• Food systems are shaped by complex local, state, and federal policy layers.
• The current restaurant business model is outdated and chefs know it.
• Retrofitting for justice is harder than building from scratch, but it’s necessary.
• Consumer loyalty is shifting toward values-driven operations.
• Chefs can drive change without starting a nonprofit—collaboration is key.
• Baby steps and peer learning are more effective than solo reinvention.

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Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest?

MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early access to the MAJC community, sign up at www.MAJC.ai.