About Chef Eric LeVine
Eric LeVine is a CIA-trained chef who grew up in Brooklyn, New York and built one of the more decorated careers in American culinary and catering. After graduating from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, he trained under David Burke at the River Café before rising to Chef de Cuisine at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. The James Beard Foundation nominated him for Outstanding Chef of the Year, and he was invited three times to host dinners at the James Beard House — the first catering chef to receive that distinction. In 2011 he became the Food Network’s Chopped Champion. He has since authored four cookbooks, appeared on Beat Bobby Flay and Alex vs. America, and been named Best Chef Long Island in both 2023 and 2024.
Beyond the professional accolades, LeVine is a six-time cancer survivor — including one diagnosis that was declared terminal — and overcame drug addiction during his career. He is a recognized advocate for the American Cancer Society and received their Heart and Soul Award. In November 2024 he ran his first marathon in honor of his brother, who passed away from cancer. He speaks and teaches internationally on leadership, mindset, and building a culinary career with purpose.
Episode Overview
Eric LeVine’s career reads like a case study in refusing to quit. He’s been nominated by the James Beard Foundation, won Chopped, opened multiple restaurants, written four cookbooks — and done all of it while surviving cancer six times and battling addiction. In this episode, André Natera sits down with him to dig into what that actually looks like from the inside: how he kept cooking through chemotherapy, what addiction takes from a chef and what recovery gives back, and how his entire approach to leadership and hospitality shifted once he stopped chasing accolades and started leading with purpose.
The conversation covers the early career lessons he learned under David Burke, the realities of opening and running restaurants, why he believes ego is the single most dangerous ingredient in any kitchen, the craft of writing cookbooks, and what separates chefs who build lasting careers from those who flame out. This is one of the more honest conversations about what a culinary life actually costs — and what makes it worth it.
Topics covered in this episode:
- The power of storytelling and authenticity in hospitality
- Eric’s early career, training under David Burke, and opening his first restaurant
- The challenges and lessons that shaped his approach to the culinary world
- Overcoming drug addiction and personal struggles during an active career
- Surviving cancer six times — including competing on Chopped after a day of radiation treatment
- The mindset and lifestyle transformation that followed his recovery
- Why ego is the most dangerous ingredient in a kitchen or business
- What hospitality actually means and why most chefs undervalue it
- The common traits of chefs who build lasting careers
- Writing cookbooks — the process, the purpose, and why he keeps doing it
- Mentorship, presence, and finding your “why”
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction to Chef Eric LeVine
00:33 – The power of storytelling in hospitality
01:35 – Early career and first restaurant
05:57 – Challenges and lessons in the culinary world
09:05 – Overcoming personal and professional struggles
16:22 – Mindset and lifestyle transformation
25:08 – Customer interactions and industry insights
34:18 – The unchanging nature of kitchen work
34:32 – Common traits of successful chefs
38:30 – The importance of hospitality
42:11 – Writing and publishing cookbooks
47:24 – Mentorship and personal growth
55:30 – Culinary techniques and tips
57:22 – Chef’s Mount Rushmore
01:05:03 – Final thoughts and farewell
Links & Resources
Eric LeVine on Instagram: @chefericl
Subscribe to Chef’s PSA → youtube.com/@ChefsPSA
Shop Chef’s PSA Merch → shop.chefspsa.com
Visit Chef’s PSA Website → chefspsa.com
Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Audible