Chef Spencer Horovitz on ADHD, Finding Calm in the Kitchen & California-Jewish Cuisine

This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine sits down with chef Spencer Horovitz , a 2025 James Beard semifinalist and the founder of Hadeem, a beloved California-Jewish Cuisine concept that's been popping up in San Francisco. But this episode goes far beyond food.Spencer speaks candidly about living and working with ADHD in the high-pressure world of professional kitchens: the burnout, shame, impulsivity, time blindness, and sensory overload — but also the creativity, resilience, and self-awareness that ultimately helped him build a career that actually works with his brain instead of against it.Catherine and Spencer talk about:  Why fine dining kitchens can be especially difficult for ADHD brains   The accommodations and systems that genuinely help in restaurant life   Hyper-focus, multitasking, and “boy dinner”   Why labels, handwriting, and putting things away can feel impossible   ADHD-friendly cooking strategies that actually work   The emotional side of feeding yourself when your brain is overwhelmed   Culinary school, restaurant culture, and redefining success   Spencer’s California-Jewish cuisine philosophy and the story behind Hadeem  This is one of the most vulnerable and practical “busy brain” conversations the show has had yet — packed with insight for anyone navigating ADHD, creativity, burnout, or simply trying to make dinner without spiraling.Find Spencer and Hadeem:  Instagram: @wearehadeem  Website: wearehadeemsf.com  Subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter at catherinesmart.substack.com for links to ADHD resources, recipes, and more from this episode.