Chefwise: Life Lessons from Leading Chefs Around the World (2023)

The world’s leading chefs offer inspiration, advice, and life lessons from both in and out of the kitchen

To become a great chef or to run a top restaurant, you need to learn from those who have already been there and done it: the chefs. In this unique book, author Shari Bayer has collected the wisdom of Michelin-star celebrities, rising professionals, and restaurant owners all over the world to provide essential insider advice for all aspiring chefs and culinary business people.

With wide appeal to chefs and other professionals already in the industry, foodies, and anyone who dreams of opening their own restaurant, this is one of the first books to provide real insight into and examination of the mechanisms of the culinary industry from a contemporary and holistic perspective, rather than being focused on recipes and techniques. Filled with inspirational lessons and personal anecdotes, Chefwise covers the things that are not normally taught in culinary school but are essential parts of a contemporary chef’s everyday job – from being a creative cook and inspirational leader to a savvy entrepreneur and social-media expert. A What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School for the hospitality industry. 

Featured chefs include Massimo Bottura, Jeremy Chan, Tom Colicchio, Nina Compton, Wylie Dufresne, Suzanne Goin, Enrique Olvera, Eric Ripert, Clare Smyth, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and Alice Waters, among others.