Eating In Isolation

In the season finale of Eating in Isolation, Sara and Sue talk to James Beard Award winning chef and cookbook author Sean Brock. In 2017, Sean was in rehab for an alcohol addiction, and discovered his passion and near obsession for psychology, learning all he could from teachers and leaders in the field. He has incorporated these learnings not only into his life, but into his restaurants. In this episode, Sean discusses his experience with neurofeedback therapy, learning and teaching about trauma and the cause of triggers, understanding his own self-worth, and the work that goes into creating a healthy and robust community both within his kitchen and beyond. Sean shows us that in order to care for our community, sometimes we must care for ourselves first.

In this episode of Eating in Isolation, Jenny Dorsey, chef, author and industry advocate explores the macro issues within the food industry that perpetuates inequalities, the relationship between the kitchen and capitalism, what the research says about mental health in the food, how we can work towards a more just industry, and how restaurants can evolve in post-COVID world.

The food and hospitality industry is notorious for pushing, and often crossing, personal boundaries. In this episode, Sara and Sue unpack why it is so difficult to respect one's own boundaries and speak up for our needs. They share tools for identifying, understanding and expressing our limits, and examine how certain beliefs and fears can perpetuate the disregard of our boundaries with colleagues, friends or peers. Throughout the show, Sara will introduce a number of practices we can implement in our daily lives to more effectively communicate our needs and develop skills for dealing with moments and situations that push our limits.

Growing up isolated on Martha’s Vineyard, James Beard Media Award winning Chef Chris Fischer never thought he was different. He grew up problem solving and learning about the farming ecosystem, and later spent years in some of the best kitchens around the world, like Babbo and River Cafe in London. He eventually returned to the Vineyard to run the restaurant Beach Plum Inn and take over his family-owned Beetlebung Farm with innovation and optimism. In 2019, Fischer was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In today’s episode, he discusses the difficult process of receiving a diagnosis (first observed by his wife, comedian and actor Amy Schumer) and the ultimate gift it has been. Fischer reflects on how ASD has effected his work and relationships in and out of the kitchen and suggests some practices he’s adapted since the diagnosis that have helped him thrive.

Have you ever noticed a pattern of feeling insecure in your relationships? In this episode, Sue and Sara discuss Attachment Theory, which addresses how our childhood caregiving impacts the way we relate as adults. They discuss different "attachment styles," how these styles affect our actions across romantic partnerships, professional relationships and friendships, and the ways we can identify our own problematic attachment tendencies to work towards a more healthy and secure mindset in the relationships across our lives.

Co-hosts Sue S. Chan and Sara Solomon sit down with Claire Ptak of Violet Bakery in East London to discuss codependency, growing up with addiction at home and the light on the other side. Together, they discuss Claire's early life, which led her to baking and a desire to care for others. Now on the other side of her childhood experience, her hopeful and inspiring outlook has led her to create boundaries, self-care rituals and identify slowing down as a pathway to healing. Sue and Sara continue the conversation around codependency, highlighting symptoms and consequences of living with an addict, and offer tools and sources to support those who face these struggles.