Chef Von on Hustle, Reinvention and Building Something Real

What does it take to bet on yourself when there’s no backup plan?

In this episode of HarmonyTALK, host Greg Frigoletto sits down with Chef Ryan Von Smith, known as Chef Von, a self-taught chef whose journey spans Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, and Macau.

After leaving Scranton, Pennsylvania, in search of something bigger, Chef Von worked his way from the door - as a bouncer - at Tao Asian Bistro into high-pressure kitchens across the country. When COVID shut everything down, he returned home and started cooking out of his mom’s kitchen, turning a moment of uncertainty into Chef Von & Mom, a restaurant rooted in family, community and bold flavor.

Since then, he has stepped back onto the global stage, placing third at the World Master Chefs Competition, winning the 2024 World Rice Championship, and appearing on Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Chef.

This conversation is about more than food. It’s about risk, resilience, reinvention and the confidence to build something real, twice.

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Email harmonytalkpodcast@gmail.com for sponsorship and guest opportunities! 

Chef Von on Hustle, Reinvention and Building Something Real
What does it take to bet on yourself when there&rsquo;s no backup plan?
In this episode of HarmonyTALK, host Greg Frigoletto sits down with Chef Ryan Von Smith, known as Chef Von, a self-taught chef whose journey spans Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, and Macau.
After leaving Scranton, Pennsylvania, in search of something bigger, Chef Von worked his way from the door - as a bouncer - at Tao Asian Bistro into high-pressure kitchens across the country. When COVID shut everything down, he returned home and started cooking out of his mom&rsquo;s kitchen, turning a moment of uncertainty into Chef Von &amp; Mom, a restaurant rooted in family, community and bold flavor.
Since then, he has stepped back onto the global stage, placing third at the World Master Chefs Competition, winning the 2024 World Rice Championship, and appearing on Gordon Ramsay&rsquo;s Next Level Chef.
This conversation is about more than food. It&rsquo;s about risk, resilience, reinvention and the confidence to build something real, twice.
FOLLOW HARMONYTALK PODCAST @harmonytalkpodcast
Join Our Mailing List: <a href="https://www.harmonytalkpodcast.com/signup">https://www.harmonytalkpodcast.com/signup</a>&nbsp;
Instagram: <a href="https://instagram.com/harmonytalkpodcast">https://instagram.com/harmonytalkpodcast</a>&nbsp;
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/harmonytalkpodcast">https://www.facebook.com/harmonytalkpodcast</a>&nbsp;
YouTube: <a href="https://youtube.com/@HarmonyTALKPodcast">https://youtube.com/@HarmonyTALKPodcast</a>&nbsp;
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/harmonytalkpodcast">https://www.linkedin.com/company/harmonytalkpodcast</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://harmonytalkpodcast.com/">https://harmonytalkpodcast.com/</a>&nbsp;
Follow Host, Lisa Champeau:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/lisachampeau/">https://www.instagram.com/lisachampeau/</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Email harmonytalkpodcast@gmail.com for sponsorship and guest opportunities!&nbsp;

HarmonyTALK is an inspirational podcast featuring ‘dreamers and doers’ who turned ideas into action. Explore creativity, perseverance, leadership and the human stories behind meaningful success through candid conversations designed to spark reflection, motivation and possibility, and join a growing community inspired to dream boldly and live intentionally.

HarmonyTALK is an inspirational podcast featuring &lsquo;dreamers and doers&rsquo; who turned ideas into action.&nbsp;Explore creativity, perseverance, leadership and the human stories behind meaningful success through candid conversations designed to spark reflection, motivation and possibility, and join a growing community inspired to dream boldly and live intentionally.