Andrew Talks to Chefs Chris Shepherd (Southern Smoke Foundation) on Finding the Kitchen, Cooking Instinctually, and Answering the Call
As the Southern Smoke Foundation's big fall fundraiser approaches on October 4, 2025, Chris Shepherd--who co-founded the foundation with Lindsey Brown (also his wife)--sits down with Andrew to discuss the crucial, grant-based work the organization does for hospitality professionals. He also shares his own personal story and how cooking became its professional focus, until he shifted gears into the altruistic realm. He also discusses two recent beer collaborations he and the foundation have been involved with: the nonalcoholic Aftershift (with Athletic Brewing Company) and Behind You! Beer (with Roadhouse Brewing).
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
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