Reinventing Life One Meal at a Time with Chef Steve Corso

In this episode of NTL: Never Too Late — Real Stories of Re-invention, Eric Cooter sits down with Chef Steve Corso — classically trained chef, author, television host, and founder of Outdoor Eats — whose story proves that sometimes the most powerful reinvention happens when you trade the boardroom for the backcountry.After more than 20 years building a prestigious culinary career — from classical training at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley and Northern Italy, to developing products as a research chef and training culinary staff for Starbucks worldwide — Steve had mastered his craft. But something was missing. It took one backpacking trip into Washington State's Enchantments wilderness, cooking Tom Yum noodle bowls and chicken fajitas under an open sky, to ask a question that would change everything: Why does the food have to be bad out here? The answer launched a movement.Today, Outdoor Eats is home to 300+ trail-tested recipes, a cookbook series with over 30,000 copies sold, and a nationally airing TV show on PBS, Outside TV, and FanDuel Sports — taking audiences from alpine fondue in Switzerland to solo hikes in the Smokies and beyond.In this conversation, we explore:• Growing up with food and training as a classical chef• Building a high-achieving corporate culinary career — and what was quietly missing• The backpacking trip that sparked an entirely new calling• Leaving the stability of corporate life to bet on himself• Building Outdoor Eats from scratch — cookbooks, YouTube, TV, and a global community• Why food is the missing piece of every great outdoor adventure• The philosophy of "blue sky time" and what the trail teaches about creativity and presence• What he'd tell anyone scared to leave a successful career for something that truly lights them up🎧 Listen to the podcast: https://linktr.ee/ntlpodcast_reinvent🤝 Connect with Chef Steve: Website: https://outdooreats.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outdooreats365/YouTube: Chef Corso | Substack: Chef Corso | TikTok: outdooreats365🛒 Use code NTL15 for 15% off anything in the Outdoor Eats shop at outdooreats.comIf you've ever built something successful and still felt the pull toward something more — something that actually lights you up — Chef Steve Corso's story is your reminder that the leap is worth it. The best adventures, in the outdoors and in life, often begin with one unexpected trip and a single bold question. And it's never too late to ask it.#NeverTooLatePodcast, #careerchange, #ReinventionStories #LifeReinvention #DreamForward #RealStories #AviationLife #PilotStories #FlyingHigh #AviationCommunity #PilotLife #FriendshipGoals #LifeLessons #ResilienceJourney #CourageToChange #NewBeginnings #ItsNeverTooLate #KeepDreaming #PurposeDrivenLife #ChasingDreams #HopeAndResilience