In this heartfelt episode, we welcome entrepreneur and restaurateur Tawfik Maudah, founder of Café Yemen in Renton, Washington. Joined by special co-host Carrie Dugan, we explore Tawfik’s journey from a small mountain village in Yemen to building a thriving restaurant rooted in culture, hospitality, and tradition. Tawfik shares vivid memories of growing up surrounded by family, fresh food, and daily rituals that shaped his deep appreciation for authentic cuisine. From milking...

Chef Steven Leung on Resilience, Entrepreneurship, and Redefining Success Beyond the Kitchen Voice4Chefs welcomes chef Steven Leung, who began cooking in his family kitchen in Hong Kong at 12, trained at Le Cordon Bleu LA, and built his career in top Las Vegas kitchens including Mandarin Oriental and the Michelin-starred Guy Savoy, later serving as executive sous chef at the Cosmopolitan. He and host Michael recount meeting during the pandemic on the Clubhouse “Food Is Religion” ...

Chef Checkin Celebrating Filipino Cuisine with Chef Isi Laureano: Offering insights into Filipino hospitality, culinary heritage, and the value of pursuing one’s passion, this conversational check-in interview features Chef Isi Laureano, reflecting on her journey as a chef and entrepreneur in the Philippines. Isi shares experiences from the pandemic, describing how lockdowns impacted her private chef career and led to a shift toward home-based cooking and food delivery. The con...

Send us a text From aspiring medical doctor to celebrated chef and food scientist. Chef Eda discusses her early culinary inspirations, including her pivot from nutrition to food science, and her experiences working in the high-profile Los Angeles culinary scene. Chef Eda also explores the challenges of creating allergen-free menus and the innovative techniques she employs in her cooking. Additionally, she provides insights into her role at Microsoft and her current endeavors with Cocina Caser...

Send us a text This bonus episode of VoiceChefs revisits on of our first episodes and celebrates the indispensable role of volunteers in culinary and community service. Host Michael Dugan welcomes Chef Tracy Calderon, who manages the Atrium Kitchen and Cooking School in Seattle's Pike Place Market. Also running the Nourish Neighborhoods program, Chef Tracy shares how they have fed over 35,000 people during the pandemic with the help of volunteers. She reflects on her childhood, family influen...

Join us for an insightful interview with Greg Gazin, a distinguished Toastmaster and host of both the Toastcaster and The Official Toastmasters Podcast, recently named a Top 25 Higher Education Podcast by AcademicInfluence.com. In 2009, Greg received the Toastmasters International Presidential Citation for his innovative use of technology to benefit the Toastmasters community. This prerecorded session was live from PodMasters Advanced Toastmasters and is hosted by Michael Dugan...

Hosts Michael Dugan and Chef Steven engage with Chef Kristen Watts Schumacher, also known as Chef Shu, the Culinary Director at Carnation Farms in the Snoqualmie Valley, Seattle. Chef Shu shares her inspirational journey from cooking for friends in her teenage years to running the heirloom cookshop and leading farm to table feasts. The conversation delves into her early influences, challenges, and triumphs, highlighting her love for community, re...

Send us a text In this special 4-year anniversary episode of the Voice4Chefs Podcast, host Michael Dugan sits in the guest chair—interviewed by Arthur J Byrnes from Podmasters Advanced Toastmasters Club. Michael shares his deeply personal journey through Toastmasters, revealing how it helped him conquer imposter syndrome, find his voice, and launch a globally recognized platform that amplifies the stories of chefs and culinary professionals worldwide. This inspiring episode features reflectio...

Send us a text Part II of Chef Ashley Brown's Culinary Journey: From Competitions to Chopped In the season 4 premiere of Voice4Chefs, we continue diving into Chef Ashley Brown's journey in the culinary world. Ashley shares her experiences from competing in local competitions, working alongside other chefs, to finally participating in the popular TV show Chopped. She details her creative process, the challenges she faced, her emotional moments, and the support she received from her husband an...

Send us a text Kicking Off Season Four: Chef Ashley Brown's Culinary Journey Season Four of Voice4Chefs kicks off with a special Mother's Day episode featuring Chef Ashley Brown from Colorado Springs. A chef and mother she shares her journey from a young culinary enthusiast to a chef de cuisine at Four by Celebrity chef Brother Luck. Ashley discusses her early influences, struggles, and achievements, including her success in culinary competitions and her connection with renowned chef B...