Order, Focus, Flow: The Life-Changing Mindset Behind Mise en Place - with Spencer Plaut

In this episode, I sat down with Spencer Plaut, a culinary expert turned corporate food program leader, to dive deep into the philosophy of mise en place—the art of “everything in its place.”

What stood out to me? Mise en place isn’t just for chefs; it’s a mindset that applies to project management, leadership, and life. We explored how this approach fosters clarity, reduces chaos, and creates a foundation for creativity and efficiency—whether you’re leading a kitchen or managing a global team. You'll be surprised how similar running a project and running a team in a kitchen are.

Key takeaways:

⚡ Why details and preparation are the secret ingredients behind great execution
🔑 Staying ready to deliver when your audience needs you
🔄 The power of pausing, resetting, and adapting

If you’re looking to optimize your workflow or find new ways to gain control of your day, this episode is for you.

What’s your version of mise en place in your day-to-day life? Imagine how that will help you. Leave me a comment if you want to learn more about applying mise en place to your life!

About Spencer

Spencer is a seasoned Food Services professional with a passion for bringing the culinary arts into the corporate environment. Having learned his craft from professional kitchens at Michelin-starred restaurants, he has since led food programs at many global brands including Square, Verizon and now OpenAI.

Spencer's LinkedIn.

Mind Blend is all about real experiences and meaningful conversations — through sharing these insights, I hope to inspire and empower you as you navigate your unique journey.
I’d also love to hear from you! What resonated with you today? What topics or guests should we feature next? Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on LinkedIn @⁠karenkchong⁠ and @⁠Mind-Blend⁠.

Follow Mind Blend to get notified when new episodes are released!

Until next time, stay curious, keep exploring, and let’s continue to blend our minds and discover what’s possible.