An Untapped Workforce? with Chef Franklin Becker, An Andrew Talks to Chefs Special Conversation

Might certain often-overlooked populations be part of the solution to the ongoing staffing shortage in the restaurant industry? Speaking from deep personal experience, chef Franklin Becker joins Andrew for this Special Conversation about the compatibility of people on the autism spectrum with restaurant-kitchen work. That subject leads to a free-flowing discussion of other populations (e.g., ex-cons) who have successfully thrived as pro cooks, as well as thoughts on training and management of one's entire team. Please listen and share!As mentioned on the show, here are links to a couple of organizations that offer job-placement services for people with autism:https://www.autismspeaks.org/job-seekers-students-employeeshttps://iacc.hhs.gov/resources/employment/websites/Our thanks to Metro for their support. Visit their website today to learn more about how they can make your restaurant kitchen and office more efficient. Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news. THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.We'd love if you followed us on Instagram. Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!