QUESTION EVERYTHING The Magic Is in the Work You’re Avoiding: with Restaurateur Kevin Boehm
Kevin Boehm cofounder of Boka Group, James Beard Award winner, and one of the most influential voices in modern hospitality has opened 46 restaurants. But behind the success was chaos. In his memoir The Bottomless Cup, he shares his story for the first time. Kevin has lived through highs that felt euphoric + lows that nearly cost him everything: homelessness, bankruptcy, bipolar disorder, and suicidal ideation. His story began with a shocking discovery at 18, that the man who raised him wasn’t his biological father; setting off a lifetime of reinvention, rebellion, and relentless drive. Kevin shares:
- The “one-take Frank” mentality: why chasing big, loud moments (openings, applause, launches) became his dopamine drug
- Building a six-table café at 21 and scaling to 46 restaurants
- The real cost of the high: alcohol, burnout, suicidal lows
- What an actual rock bottom looks like + why he calls it a gift
- Choosing happiness like a job: therapy, meds, Hoffman, sobriety, boundaries
The mantras: “The magic you’re looking for is in the work you’re avoiding” and “Everyone is responsible, but no one is to blame.” - Forgiving three complicated parents
- Why hospitality is emotional surgery, not just food and service
- The purpose as playing a cameo role in other people’s biggest nights
- Social media & mental health hygiene: curating your feed like your pantry
Content Warning:: This episode includes candid discussion of depression and suicidal ideation.
Follow Kevin here
Grab a copy of his memoir The Bottomless Cup here
Book Recommendation: The Tender Bar by JR Moehringer
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