The Dave Chang Show Cooking for a Cause With Dan Giusti
Jul 17, 2025
Dan Giusti, the founder of Brigaid and former head chef at Noma, tackles the stigma around institutional cooking and shares his mission to improve school meals. He explores the journey from high-end kitchens to serving underserved communities, making a case for the importance of quality food in schools. Giusti also discusses the challenges of chefs redefining success in a world focused on accolades, emphasizing the culinary impact that can come from non-traditional pathways. It's a thought-provoking conversation on the power of food beyond the plate.
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Avocado Toast's Rise and Appeal
- Avocado toast was an unlikely but massive food trend starting about 25 years ago, popularized notably in Australia.
- Its simplicity, room-temperature serving, and versatility made it widely adoptable in various food venues globally.
Dan Giusti's Noma Leadership Story
- Dan Giusti was chosen to lead Noma's kitchen after being an underdog, despite others being more expected choices.
- Rene Redzepi valued Dan's pragmatism and integrity over traditional chef archetypes.
Respect Institutional Cooking More
- There's a stigma that chefs in institutional settings are less skilled, but feeding many people well is harder than fine dining.
- Dan encourages a shift in respect towards high-volume cooking roles like schools and hospitals.