Chef Evan Funke: How Discipline - and a Plane Ticket - Changed His Life (S12/Ep.19)

Evan Funke is a chef, restaurateur, author, and torchbearer of Italian culinary tradition. Known for his obsessive dedication to pasta, he’s behind some of the most celebrated restaurants in LA and beyond. In this episode, we talk about the power of mentorship, the tension between preserving heritage and forging new paths, and why Evan chose a harder, more disciplined road in his craft. He shares how years of focused practice and repetition- not ego- continue to define his approach in the kitchen. He also shares the importance of building community within the restaurant, and how that belief drives both his team culture and his support for organizations like World Central Kitchen, Baby2Baby, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, and No Kid Hungry. Enjoy this episode as we go Beyond the Plate… with Chef Evan Funke. This episode is brought to you by Mill - the sleek, odorless food recycler for your home. Learn more and get $75 off at mill.com/btp. Offer may expire. Follow Beyond the Plate on Facebook.Follow Kappy on Instagram and X.Find Beyond the Plate on all major podcast platforms. www.beyondtheplatepodcast.com www.onkappysplate.com