From Top Chef to the kitchens of Santa Fe, Chef Dakota Weiss shares how her love of food, her battle with cancer, and a passion for helping others have shaped a life devoted to giving back.

Chef Dakota Weiss grew up in a household where everything was made from scratch. Her mother believed in natural foods, homemade meals, and carob chip cookies. Young Dakota, meanwhile, was sneaking off to friends’ houses in search of Twinkies. But somewhere along the way, those early experiences planted the seeds of a remarkable culinary career.

In this episode of Doing Good, Dakota joins hosts Michael Campbell, Anna Farrier, and Gabriella Marks for a lively, heartfelt conversation about food, family, overcoming adversity, and finding purpose through helping others.

Her journey took her from culinary school to Santa Fe’s legendary Coyote Cafe, kitchens around the world, and eventually television’s Top Chef. Along the way, she discovered that being a chef offered something more meaningful than professional recognition: an opportunity to make a difference.

That realization began with her involvement in No Kid Hungry, the national nonprofit dedicated to ending childhood hunger. It sparked a commitment to charitable work that continues today through organizations like Cooking with Kids and the Cancer Foundation.

But Dakota’s understanding of giving back became deeply personal when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Frightened by the uncertainty and the disturbing images she encountered online, she decided to share her own experience openly, including her surgeries, reconstruction, and recovery.

Through candid photographs and social media posts, Dakota has helped other women facing similar diagnoses feel less frightened and alone. One photograph taken by Gabriella reached nearly 53,000 views, prompting messages from women grateful for her openness.

Cancer also changed Dakota’s perspective on life. After years of putting work ahead of everything else, she began making more room for family, travel, and the things that bring happiness. That philosophy now extends to the young chefs she mentors, encouraging them to pursue excellence without sacrificing their personal lives.

Back in Santa Fe, Dakota continues finding ways to put her culinary talents to work for others. Whether raising thousands of dollars through charity dinners, supporting children’s nutrition programs, or volunteering with cancer patients, she sees generosity as a natural extension of her profession.

For Dakota, cooking has always been about more than creating memorable meals. It’s about caring for people, bringing them together, and sharing something of yourself.

And sometimes, the simplest way to do good is to feed someone.

For more information, or to tell the story of someone you know who's doing good, go to doinggood.fm