Restaurant Hoppen
Restaurant Hoppen
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Learning in Omaha's Elite Kitchens w/ Collin Werner (Au Courant)
46 minutes Posted May 21, 2026 at 7:00 am.
– Meet Chef Collin Werner (Au Courant)
– What Makes Au Courant Unique (New Menu Every Week)
– How the Team Creates Dishes Together
– What a Chef de Cuisine Actually Does
– Learning from Chef Ben Maides
– Inside the Weekly Tasting Menu Process
– Why Menu Structure Matters in Fine Dining
– A Dish He’s Most Proud Of
– Why Fine Dining Is Addicting
– How Hospitality Changes Your Perspective
– Staying Organized in a High-Pressure Kitchen
– Mentors Who Shaped His Career
– Should Chefs Read Reviews?
– How He Fell in Love with Cooking
– When Cooking Became a Career Path
– Starting Culinary School at Metro
– Culinary School vs Restaurant Experience
– From Dishwasher to Sous Chef
– What a “Stage” (Kitchen Tryout) Is Like
– Taking the Leap to V. Mertz
– “Comfortability Kills” Explained
– Why Au Courant Never Gets Comfortable
– Balancing Creativity with Weekly Menus
– Transitioning to Clean Slate (Work-Life Balance)
– Returning to Fine Dining (Au Courant)
– Becoming Chef de Cuisine at 27
– Managing People vs Cooking Food
– Cooking with Local Farms (On-Site Experience)
– Culinary Competitions & Staying Calm
– Always Saying Yes to New Opportunities
– Future Goals: Michelin-Star Kitchens
– What Guests Don’t Understand About Restaurants
– Why He Loves the Industry
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46:15
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Show notes
Collin Werner might only be 27, but don't let his age fool you. He's already worked in some of the most well-regarded kitchens in Omaha, now advancing to become the Chef de Cuisine at Au Courant. We run through Collin's career, assess the lessons he learned at different stops, discuss the value of culinary school, and more!
This episode is a deep dive into creativity, discipline, and what it really takes to succeed in a modern kitchen.
🌐 Learn more about Au Courant:https://www.aucourantrestaurant.com/
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! 
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