Culinary School Truths with Brian O'Malley from Restaurant Hoppen

Culinary School Truths with Brian O'Malley

1 hour 5 minutes Posted Apr 16, 2026 at 7:00 am.

– Intro: One of Omaha’s Most Influential Culinary Leaders

– Meet Brian O’Malley (Metro Community College)

– Culinary School vs Restaurant Experience (The Real Answer)

– Why “Learning How to Learn” Changes Everything

– How Chefs Actually Improve (The Scallop Example)

– Why Metro’s Culinary Program Stands Out

– Why Guests Matter More Than Grades in Restaurants

– Inside Sage Student Bistro (Student-Run Restaurant)

– Bridging the Gap: Classroom vs Real Kitchen Pressure

– Toxic Kitchen Culture & Leadership Problems

– What Makes a Great Chef (Hint: It’s Not Cooking)

– Building Better Kitchens Through Leadership

– What Every Culinary Graduate Should Know

– Final Thoughts: The Future of Restaurants

0:00

1:05:30

Download MP3

Share at current time

Show notes

There are a lot of debates about the state of culinary school in America, and as Metro CC's Dean of Hospitality & Horticulture, Brian O'Malley has heard them all. In a wide-ranging conversation, we discuss the debate of attending culinary school versus learning solely in professional kitchens, the state of leadership in modern kitchens and avoiding toxicity, the importance of Metro's on-site restaurant, and so much more.

References:

Metro Community College – https://www.metro.edu

Sage Student Bistro – https://www.metro.edu/sage-student-bistro

ProStart Competition – https://www.prostart.americanculinaryfoundation.org

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Timestamps:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

← See all 359 episodes of Restaurant Hoppen