#19. With a successful 30-year career in the culinary world, Franklin Becker is not only a talented and award-winning chef, but also an inspiring leader and kind-hearted individual.

Currently, Franklin is the founder of F. Becker Hospitality, which includes several thriving restaurants such as the Press Club and Oliva Tapas. Beyond his culinary achievements, Franklin is the culinary chair for Autism Speaks Celebrity Chef Gala, an event that supports autism.

In this podcast episode, Franklin discusses his remarkable ability to cultivate talented kitchen teams and create new businesses. Franklin's approach is focused on building leaders rather than managers, fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment among his team members.

Throughout the conversation, Josh highlights Franklin's kindness and willingness to help others, which has been a defining trait throughout his career. They touch on the importance of community and how Franklin actively brings people together, both within his organization and the wider culinary industry.

Where to find Franklin Becker:

Where to find host Josh Sharkey:

In this episode, we cover:

(3:50) How Franklin got into cooking
(6:44) Why Franklin is a chef
(8:13) What is Franklin’s superpower?
(12:19) How Franklin empowers his team
(16:35) How having a child with autism shaped Franklin’s leadership style
(21:13) Finding inspiration from all people
(27:02) Shaping the talents of future generations
(30:08) Learning to give up control as a leader
(32:10) Leaders versus managers
(39:07) The biggest life lessons Franklin’s learned over the years
(45:06) Franklin’s vision for his businesses
(47:50) The inspiration behind Press Club

Franklin Becker of F. Becker Hospitality