Chef Greg Baker on Mental Health: "It's Okay to Not Be Okay"

<p>Over his career, <a href="https://www.chefgregbaker.com/" target="_blank">Greg Baker</a> worked his way up from teenage dishwasher to a six-time James Beard Award nominated chef. Greg is perhaps best known as the chef behind The Refinery, a popular farm-to-table restaurant in Tampa’s Seminole Heights neighborhood that he owned from 2010 to 2019 with his wife, Michelle Baker. He loves how a plate of food can make someone happy. </p><p>But for Greg and countless others in the restaurant industry, the work often has the opposite effect. Greg says it’s no coincidence that his industry is a breeding ground for serious issues, like mental health struggles, substance abuse and even suicide. In our conversation, Greg opens up about his own struggles and suggests ways to make things a little better, whether you’re a restaurant worker or customer. </p><p>If you enjoyed this conversation with Greg, then you may also enjoy these episodes:</p><ul><li> <a href="Taco Bus Founder Rene Valenzuela on Cinco de Mayo, His Life-Changing Accident & What’s Next" target="_blank">Taco Bus Founder Rene Valenzuela on Cinco de Mayo, His Life-Changing Accident & What’s Next</a></li><li><a href="https://thezestpodcast.com/s3-episode-13/" target="_blank">Beer Kulture Raises the Bar for Diversity in Craft Beverage Industry</a></li><li><a href="https://thezestpodcast.com/s3-episode-15/" target="_blank">Chef Judi Gallagher on the Lost Art of Hand-Written Recipes</a></li></ul>