Episodes

  • Boiling Butter, Flying Knives, and Deep-Fried Hands: A Casual Chat About Kitchen Mayhem
    Oct 17 2024

    Join Erin, Dr. Sizzle, and the infmaous Pants as they sauté their way through the chaos of restaurant injuries—from knives with names (because you know, they deserve respect) to hot water shoe baths and a side of deep-fried hands. Ever wondered what it's like to crack a rib falling into a vat of marinara? Spoiler: it’s exactly as glamorous as you’d think. We also tackle the big question—how much hot food can you carry on your arms before they melt? This episode is a perfect blend of humor, pain, and... questionable life choices. Grab a fire extinguisher, it’s going to be a hot one!

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • To-Go Boxes & No-Go Zones: The Great Restaurant Apocalypse
    Oct 10 2024

    In this masked memoir of 'You're Not Special,' we're diving into the chaotic chronicles of the restaurant industry's wildest plot twist - when dining out became more forbidden than your server's face tattoos.

    Strap in, folks! This week on 'You're Not Special,' we dive deep into COVID, but not in that depressing, been-there-done-that way. Ever wondered what happens when a pandemic shuts down the world, restaurants close, and you get really creative with weed and bruschetta? Join Erin and Dr. Sizzle as they recount the 'joys' of lockdown in Seattle, from illegal to-go margaritas to discovering how much time you can spend watching MasterClass before you start thinking you're a Michelin-star chef. Bonus: listen as Erin discovers the magic of fake vaccine cards and shares how nothing says rebellion like creating them on Canva. Whether you were crying over missing restaurants or just losing your mind in lockdown, this episode is for you.

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    2 hrs and 50 mins
  • 86'd: Your Love Life in the Walk-In
    Oct 4 2024

    Welcome to the messiest episode yet of 'You're Not Special,' where we're diving fork-first into the desperate, depraved, and sometimes delicious world of restaurant romance. Because nothing says 'true love' quite like making out by the dumpsters on your smoke break.

    Plus, hear our hosts' most cringe-worthy tales of workplace romance gone wrong,

    Whether you're currently living the dream of dating your coworker or nursing the hangover of a post-shift romance gone wrong, this episode promises to be spicier than the chef's secret sauce.

    Warning: This episode may cause flashbacks to your own restaurant relationships. Side effects include spontaneous eye-rolling, nervous laughter, and the sudden urge to transfer to another location.

    Pairs well with: A bottle of wine and your ex's new schedule request."

    Would you like me to make it even more sarcastic or dial it back a notch?

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    53 mins
  • Conquistador de Pantalones: Confessions of a Knife-Wielding Tattoo Pyromaniac
    Sep 27 2024

    Step into the flame-kissed world of Conquistador de Pantalones (aka 'Pants'), the chef who never met a fire he didn't like or a knife he couldn't twirl. In this scorching episode of 'You're Not Special,' we're turning up the heat with the industry's favorite tattooed troublemaker.

    Join us as Pants explains why chefs are the perfect blend of pyromania and precision, turning what most people's mothers warned them about (playing with knives and fire) into a legitimate career choice. From kitchen war stories to culinary confessions, this episode is hotter than a salamander on Saturday night.

    Featured burns include:

    • Why chefs are just professional psychopaths with better knife skills
    • The truth about kitchen tattoos: merit badges or warning signs?
    • How to turn pyromania into a paycheck
    • Why the best chefs are just grown-up kids who never stopped playing with fire

    Warning: This episode contains explicit language, questionable life choices, and enough fire-related puns to set off your smoke detector. Listener discretion (and a fire extinguisher) is advised.

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    37 mins
  • Served Hot, Hungover, and Half-Conscious: Your Survival Guide
    Sep 20 2024

    Ever wonder how restaurant pros handle those mornings-after-closing-shift nightmares, the 'still-tipsy-from-last-night' opens, or those supernatural days when everything just clicks? In this spicy episode of 'You're Not Special,' Dr. Sizzle and Erin serve up the unfiltered truth about working through the three altered states of restaurant life.

    From hangover hacks that would make a medical student blush to superhuman service stories that defy explanation, we're dishing out the real strategies for surviving (and sometimes thriving) through every state of consciousness the industry throws at you.

    Whether you're reading this with sunglasses on indoors, still wearing last night's eyeliner, or riding that inexplicable wave of invincibility, this episode is your essential guide to navigating the altered states of restaurant life. Plus, hear our hosts' most epic stories of triumph (and disaster) from each state of being.

    Warning: This episode pairs well with Gatorade, breakfast burritos, and a strong cup of coffee. Side effects may include uncontrollable nodding and saying 'I've been there' out loud.

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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Shaken, Stirred, and Successful: The Server-Turned-Business-Mogul
    Sep 5 2024

    In this intoxicating third round of 'You're Not Special,' Dr. Sizzle flips the script and puts Erin Loman Jeck in the hot seat. Get ready to mix business with pleasure as we explore the wild world of a powerhouse entrepreneur who just can't quit slinging drinks.

    In this third course of 'You're Not Special,' Dr. Sizzle turns the tables on Erin Loman Jeck, exploring how this powerhouse entrepreneur still finds time to wait tables as a hobby. Get ready for a meal of success, served with a side of humility.

    Today's special:

    • Appetizer: Erin's journey from rookie server to seasoned business coach
    • Main Course: How balancing plates prepared her to juggle million-dollar deals
    • Side Dish: The unexpected business lessons learned from difficult customers
    • Dessert: Why this CEO still craves the sweet satisfaction of a well-served table
    • Daily Special: The real reason she can't hang up her apron for good

    Plus, don't miss our 'Order Up!' round where Dr. Sizzle challenges Erin to match common server nightmares with business world equivalents. Can she keep her cool, or will she get weeded?

    Whether you're a server dreaming big, an executive longing for simpler times, or just someone who appreciates a well-rounded success story, this episode promises to be as fulfilling as it is inspiring.

    Tune in for an interview that's part motivational talk, part day-in-the-life of a server. It's an episode so rich in insights, you'll want to leave a 20% tip!

    Warning: This episode may cause sudden urges to start a business or pick up a server's pad. We suggest doing only one at a time, unless you're Erin!

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    26 mins
  • The Sizzle Behind the Swinging Doors
    Aug 29 2024

    In this juicy second serving of 'You're Not Special,' we're turning up the heat as Erin Loman Jeck grills the enigmatic 'Doctor Sizzle' on his rise to culinary stardom.

    Prepare your taste buds for:

    • The raw and unfiltered story of how a young cook became the legendary Doctor Sizzle
    • Kitchen confidential: Insider tales that will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about becoming a chef
    • The dish on disaster: Dr. Sizzle's most epic kitchen catastrophes and how he turned them into triumphs
    • Hot take alert: Why Dr. Sizzle thinks sushi chefs aren't "real" chefs (spoiler: it gets heated!)
    • The perfect sear: Dr. Sizzle's spicy opinions on industry trends and celebrity chefs

    Plus, don't miss the rapid-fire round where we put Dr. Sizzle's chef credentials to the test. Can he take the heat, or will he get out of the kitchen?

    Whether you're a culinary professional, an aspiring chef, or just someone who loves to peer behind the curtain, this episode promises to be a mouthwatering expose of life in the high-pressure world of professional kitchens.

    Tune in for a no-holds-barred interview that's equal parts informative, inspirational, and downright hilarious. 'The Sizzle Behind the Swinging Doors' - it's an episode so good, you'll want seconds!"

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    23 mins
  • Order Up! Why We're Serving You This Podcast
    Aug 22 2024

    Order Up! Why We're Serving You This Podcast

    Welcome to the premiere episode of 'You're Not Special: Where the Menu is set, but the drama is made to order.'

    In this appetizer of an episode, meet your hosts: Erin Loman Jeck, the business coach who can't quit waiting tables, and 'Doctor Sizzle,' the culinary maestro who's seen it all from behind the pass.

    Join us as we spill the beans on why we're diving back into the chaotic world of restaurants – this time with microphones in hand. We'll dish out:

    • The hilarious backstory of how a high-flying speaking coach and a renowned chef decided to air the restaurant industry's dirty laundry (and we don't mean the aprons).
    • Why we believe everyone – from the career server to the curious diner – needs this insider's view of the culinary world.
    • A taste of the outrageous stories, industry secrets, and invaluable insights we'll be serving up each week.
    • Our grand vision for creating a podcast community that celebrates the beautiful mess that is restaurant life.

    Plus, get a sneak peek at upcoming episodes that'll have you coming back for seconds!

    Whether you're a food service veteran, a passionate foodie, or just someone who enjoys a good laugh with their meal, this episode will leave you hungry for more.

    Tune in to discover why 'You're Not Special' is about to become your favorite indulgence. No reservation required – just bring your appetite for entertainment!"

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    9 mins