Episode 89: Chef Eric Leveillee of Lacroix Restaurant

Do you love a good redemption story? If you do, you're going to want to listen to this podcast because today's guest, Chef Eric Leveillee of Lacroix restaurant, has gone through hell and back to find his success. As someone who grew up in a household with dependency issues, Eric was nearly destined to find himself following the same path. And after years of addiction, he was able to transcend his addiction and become a shining example of what it means to be truly resilient. Now, sober and focused, Eric is producing some of the most exciting food out there, and we are very excited to showcase him and his story on the CHEF Radio Podcast. Eric's history of working as a chef in Philadelphia  Getting a degree in economics Why you need to explore your creativity as a young chef How Eric's food has evolved into a more minimalist approach Breaking down Eric's amazing duck preparation How Covid forced him to change his plans  Taking a position in the western Catskills at the DeBruce hotel Running two separate restaurants for two separate companies Battling the constant labor issue while still maintaining expectations Why Eric doubled down on cooking a "classic" style of menu at Lacroix Eric breaks down his Risotto of New Potatoes dish Eric shares his experience with drug addiction and recovery How addiction starts How life events impact addiction  Surviving on the streets while going in and out of jail How a phone call to his aunt put him on the road to recovery Why the line between yourself and an addict is thinner than you realize Eric's approach to simple, stripped-down cooking and how he eliminates ingredients to make his dishes stronger How Eric is using this time as a chef at two different restaurants to set himself up for success down the road If you're struggling with addiction, please reach out to Eli or Eric so we can help you achieve your goals in life. You're never alone. A huge shout out to our sponsors, Maxwell McKenney and Singer Equipment, for their unwavering support, which allows us to be able to bring these conversations to you. Check out their websites for all the amazing equipment they can supply your restaurant with to make your team more efficient and successful.