In this episode of the Chef JKP Podcast, James Knight-Paccheco sits down with Carmen Landsberg, Global Executive Chef of Brunch & Cake, to explore her extraordinary culinary journey. From helping her mom in the kitchen as a child in South Africa to navigating the high-stakes world of casino kitchens and leading an internationally recognized brand, Carmen shares the highs, lows, and lessons learned along the way.
Tune in to learn about:
👨‍🍳 Casino kitchens and leadership: Insights into the fast-paced world of hospitality and becoming a Head Chef at just 20 years old.
👨‍🍳 Building global success: Carmen’s journey to Dubai, her role at Brunch and Cake, and the challenges of managing international teams.
👨‍🍳Star-studded collaborations: Behind-the-scenes stories of working with Tyra Banks and stepping into the world of TV cooking shows.
👨‍🍳 The future of food: Predictions for the food and beverage industry, including cultural trends, sustainability, and innovation.
Carmen’s story is equal parts inspiring and relatable, offering practical advice for aspiring chefs and entrepreneurs while celebrating the creativity and resilience that define great leadership. Whether you’re in hospitality or simply passionate about food, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and heartfelt moments.
- 00:00 Introduction
- 03:56 Early Influences and Unique Food Memories
- 12:29 Launching a Catering Business at 16
- 29:07 Lessons from Casino Kitchens and Leadership
- 42:35 Moving to Dubai and Career Shifts
- 56:33 The Brunch & Cake Story
- 01:08:34 Collaborating with Tyra Banks and TV Experiences
- 01:17:07 Industry Challenges and Hiring Struggles
- 01:25:54 The Future of Food and Beverage
- 01:33:34 Quick Fire Round
You can follow Carmen on HEREÂ
Thank you to our sponsors for supporting this episode:
- Chef Middle East (chefmiddleeast.com)
- LuvvFits Gourmet Protein Bars (luvvfits.com)
Stay stylish and hydrated with our Chef JKP thermos bottles, perfect for keeping drinks hot or cold. Order yours now at chefjkp.com or DM us on Instagram!
Don’t miss out—follow, share, and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube and all major platforms. If you loved this episode, leave a review and share your favorite takeaways!
Food is memories! 🍴
Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!