The Brigade System

The Brigade System

Author: Robert Belcham of the Chefs Table Society of BC June 21, 2021 Duration: 1:06:13

We’re giving the full field guide treatment to something that’s been a core element of professional restaurant operations for over 135 years. 

We’re looking at Escoffier’s Big Idea, the brigade system - the military-style hierarchy that serves to organize kitchen work into distinct stations. and sets up a leadership system responsible for making it all work efficiently

For a lot of reasons, the ongoing need for this foundational piece of modern restaurant culture is being questioned, mostly as to its value and relevance to the state of our industry in 2021. 

But can we overhaul it, or should it simply be replaced? Are there any viable alternatives?

Just a few of the questions host Robert Belcham will put to author Michael Ruhlman, chef/educator Julian Bond, industry activist Hassel Aviles and chef/operator Dave Gunawan

 Grab your toque, take your station and tune in.

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Hosted by chef Robert Belcham, Mise en Place-the Podcast pulls up a chair for candid, substantive conversations with the people shaping British Columbia's vibrant food scene. This series, presented with the Chefs' Table Society of BC, moves beyond recipes and menus to explore the real architecture of a life in hospitality. Each episode is a deep dive with restaurateurs, producers, and culinary leaders, unpacking the complex business decisions, career pivots, and personal philosophies that define their work. Listeners get an authentic backstage pass to the pressures, triumphs, and often-unseen logistics of running kitchens and dining rooms. The discussions naturally reveal the interconnected culture of local food, from farm relationships to dining room dynamics. Belcham’s perspective ensures these aren’t just interviews, but nuanced dialogues full of practical insight for anyone invested in this world. The podcast serves as an oral history of a community in motion, documenting the craft, economics, and human stories behind the plates. It’s for those who appreciate that a great restaurant experience is built on a foundation of meticulous preparation-the true meaning of its namesake. Tune in for thoughtful, grounded talk that respects the intelligence of both its guests and its audience.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 135

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