Yes, Chef! This week, we have a super special guest: Chef Opal Poullard, a two-time Food Network Chopped Champion and USAF Veteran.

Chef Opal's culinary journey is shaped by her global travels, exploring cuisines in Italy, Spain, England, France, Japan, and South Korea. With 7 years in Asia and multiple deployments, she honed her skills and served as an Enlisted Aide to high-ranking Generals. As an Advanced Culinary Instructor at Fort Gregg-Adams, she trained over 300 Military Chefs for top-tier assignments.

In 2023, Chef Opal was chosen by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden to be a Guest Chef at the White House. Currently, she is the Vice President of the American Culinary Federation Old Dominion Chapter, an Evaluator certifying chefs nationwide, and runs her own consulting business, Chef Opal LLC.

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+ Website: https://bit.ly/3YekbPo

+ LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3LBXVHS

Content Warning: Episodes of The Civvies Podcast and YouTube channel may, at times, cover sensitive topics, including but not limited to suicide, abuse, violence, and more. You are advised to refrain from watching or listening to the YouTube Channel or Podcast if you are likely to be offended or adversely impacted by any of these topics.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of MetroStar. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only. The MetroStar name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of their owner, and their use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

00:00 Introduction

02:15 Joining the Air Force

08:30 Pursuing Cooking While in Security Forces

14:39 Becoming an Enlisted Aide

23:43 Changing Your Field in the Military

25:51 Getting on Chopped

42:50 Chef Opal Makes Filet Mignon

48:24 Leveraging Teamwork on Chopped

51:46 Plating a Delicious Meal

56:20 How to Find Chef Opal

In this episode, Steph checks in with Lee Ring, Co-Owner of CrossFit Lobo in San Antonio, TX. Lee talks about his experience in the Air Force, being a military spouse abroad, finding a job as a civilian, and navigating life as a veteran.

Lee also shares the resources that have helped him run a successful CrossFit gym, as well as his tips for veterans looking to start or acquire a business, and the importance of physical fitness for mental health.

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+Website: https://hubs.li/Q02FfLZb0

+LinkedIn: https://hubs.li/Q02FfJY80

Content Warning: Episodes of The Civvies Podcast and YouTube channel may, at times, cover sensitive topics, including but not limited to suicide, abuse, violence, and more. You are advised to refrain from watching or listening to the YouTube Channel or Podcast if you are likely to be offended or adversely impacted by any of these topics.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of MetroStar. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only. The MetroStar name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of their owner, and their use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

In this episode, we sit down with our fellow MetroStar veteran team members. This special roundtable delves into the journey of transitioning from military to civilian life, a testament to the resilience and adaptability of our veterans.

Join us as we explore the challenges, opportunities, and support systems that are crucial for veterans embarking on this significant journey. We cover topics like finding employment and leveraging your military skills, support programs, mental health, mentorship, and more.

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+ Website: https://bit.ly/3KPblQd

+ LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4bhglrW

Content Warning: Episodes of The Civvies Podcast and YouTube channel may, at times, cover sensitive topics, including but not limited to suicide, abuse, violence, and more. You are advised to refrain from watching or listening to the YouTube Channel or Podcast if you are likely to be offended or adversely impacted by any of these topics.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of MetroStar. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only. The MetroStar name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of their owner, and their use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.