From a boxing arena: Sugo

Sugo owner Conor Joerin didn’t come up through culinary school or a polished fine-dining kitchen - he got his start working in a boxing arena. With no formal education, he relied on hustle, instinct, and a quick learner’s drive to carve out his place in the restaurant world.Today, his restaurant stands as a reflection of the community he grew up in and the childhood experiences that shaped him. In this episode, Conor opens up about the grind of building something from the ground up, the lessons he learned outside the classroom, and why his restaurant is about more than food - it’s about resilience, roots, and real connection. Follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTokFollow Sam Jen on Instagram