Your Favorite Chef’s Favorite Chef | Ron McKinlay on Pop-Ups, Pressure & Mental Health

What’s it like to cook for a living legend — or be one? In this episode of Chef’s PSA, André Natera sits down with Chef Ron McKinlay, the legendary Canadian chef and former culinary force at Canoe in Toronto. They dive into the unfiltered realities of pop-up dinners, mastering the craft of cooking meat, and the mental toll of life in kitchens. Ron shares how he approaches technique — from resting meats in rendered fat to perfecting fish cookery — and talks about handling internet trolls, finding balance, and navigating the post-restaurant chef life. If you care about the craft, this conversation cuts through the noise — it’s cooking, mentorship, and mindset at the highest level. Sponsored by Bragard USA → https://bragardus.com 🎟️ Use promo code CHEFSPSA20 for 20% off your next order. 🎧 Subscribe to Chef’s PSA for real chef talk, leadership lessons, and raw conversations that matter. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:34 Behind the Scenes and Pop-Up Dinners 02:24 Culinary Techniques and Dish Breakdown 06:03 Guest Chef Experiences and Networking 09:35 Challenges and Lessons in Guest Chef Dinners 13:58 The Importance of Respect and Preparation 29:35 The Art of Cooking vs. Aesthetics 33:17 Mastering Classical Techniques 33:58 Lessons from the Kitchen 34:49 Developing Dishes: Ingredient Focus 37:15 Handling Trolls and Critics 44:45 Navigating Career Transitions 55:03 The Importance of Physical and Mental Health 01:07:01 The Importance of Tasting and Adjusting 01:07:37 Kinesthetic Learning in Cooking 01:08:42 The Role of Senses in Cooking 01:09:49 The Debate on Resting Meat 01:10:54 Efficient Meat Cookery Techniques 01:12:56 Managing High-Volume Service 01:18:14 Fish Cookery Techniques 01:23:42 The Importance of Music in Cooking 01:27:13 Chef’s Personal Insights and Preferences 01:31:35 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell Ron McKinlay on Instagram:   / rwmckinlay   🎟️ Sponsored by Bragard USA → https://bragardus.com Use promo code CHEFSPSA20 for 20% off chef apparel. Links & Resources Subscribe on Substack → https://chefspsa.substack.com/ Shop Chef’s PSA Merch → https://shop.chefspsa.com/ Visit Chef’s PSA Website → https://chefspsa.com/ #ChefsPSA #ChefLife #ChefPodcast #PopUpDinner #MentalHealth #CookingTechniques #RonMcKinlay #RestaurantLife