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🔥 INSPIRING & BRUTAL! Meet Courtney McQuiery - chef/owner of Restaurant Blanca who literally worked the line until she went into labor!

Courtney's INCREDIBLE Journey:

✅ UVA Politics Major → Culinary School → NYC kitchens → Charleston stages
✅ Worked at Rebelle NYC under Daniel Eddy (her mentor who changed everything)
✅ Staged in Italy learning authentic techniques in Tuscany
✅ Opened Blanca 8 years ago and built it into Hampton Roads' premier restaurant
✅ Worked the line while PREGNANT - literally until labor started!
✅ Working mom of 2 running a restaurant empire

The FUN and CRAZY Moments:
👶 Baby crying during the interview (REAL working mom life!)
🍳 Worked the line until she went into labor with Kevin
🏠 Kids do homework in the restaurant office every night
💪 Had to learn to let go and trust her team to maintain quality
🇮🇹 Brought back gouda from Aruba in 8th grade (early food signs!)

Key Lessons:
You CAN'T do everything yourself - delegation is survival
Quality actually IMPROVED when she stepped back from the line
Motherhood changed her leadership style for the better
Building a restaurant while raising kids is possible but HARD
Female chefs face unique challenges but bring incredible strength

Restaurant Blanca - where technique meets heart, and every dish tells a story of perseverance!

Follow Courtney & Blanca:
Instagram: @restaurantblanca
Follow Burnt Hands Perspective:
Instagram: @theburnthandsperspective

#FemaleChef #WorkingMom #PregnantChef #RestaurantBlanca #BurntHandsPerspective #WomenInKitchens #ChefMom

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*The views and opinions on this show are meant for entertainment purposes only. They do not reflect the views of our sponsors. We are not here to babysit your feelings, if you are a true industry pro, you will know that what we say is meant to make you laugh and have a great time. If you don't get that, this is not the podcast for you. You've been warned. Enjoy the ride!