From the Kitchen to the Stage: Giving My First Keynote Speech

Chef Jamie Daskalis
19 hours ago
4 min read

Not long ago, I found myself in a place I never imagined when I first started working in restaurants... Standing on a stage, sharing my story.

For most of my life, my work has happened behind the scenes. In kitchens. On the line. In the quiet early hours of the morning before guests arrive. Speaking in front of a room full of people wasn’t something I ever planned for.

But when the opportunity came to give a keynote speech, I knew it was something I needed to say yes to.

Because sometimes growth happens when you step outside the places that feel most comfortable.

A Different Kind of Stage

As chefs, we’re used to expressing ourselves through food. Our language is flavor, texture, and hospitality. The work speaks for itself.

Standing on a stage is different.

Instead of plates leaving the kitchen, it’s ideas, experiences, and lessons being shared with the room. Instead of the rhythm of a busy service, there’s a quiet moment where people are listening to your story.

Preparing for the speech pushed me in a new way. It made me reflect on the journey, where I started, the people who shaped me, the challenges I’ve faced, and the things I’ve learned along the way.

Hospitality Beyond the Restaurant

What made this keynote particularly meaningful for me was the audience in the room.

I wasn’t speaking to chefs, restaurateurs, or people in the hospitality industry. The room was filled with real estate professionals, individuals who are deeply committed to elevating the experience they provide to their clients throughout the home buying process.

The event was part of the ELV8 initiative, a group of industry professionals who have made a commitment to continually improve the way they serve their clients. Their goal is simple but powerful: to raise the bar and create the best possible experience for the people who trust them during one of the most important moments of their lives.

They invited me to speak not as a real estate expert, but as someone who understands hospitality.

Because at its core, hospitality isn’t limited to restaurants.

It’s about how we make people feel.

Whether someone is walking into a dining room or walking through the front door of a home they may soon purchase, the experience is shaped by the energy, care, and intention we bring into the room.

One of the key messages I shared with the group was that our attitudes and the energy we carry don’t just affect us, they impact everyone around us. When we are intentional about how we show up, we have the ability to elevate the entire experience for the people we serve.

Seeing how deeply this message resonated with the room was incredibly rewarding. It was a reminder that the principles of hospitality are universal, and when applied thoughtfully, they have the power to transform any industry.

The Journey Behind the Words

When I stood in front of that audience, I wasn’t just talking about restaurants.

I was talking about resilience.

About growing up in the diner business and learning the value of hard work early on.

About building Johnny D’s with my father and continuing the legacy after he passed.

About creativity, leadership, and the importance of hospitality.

And most importantly, about remembering why we started.

Restaurants can be demanding, unpredictable, and exhausting at times. But they are also places where people gather, connect, celebrate, and heal. That responsibility is something I carry with me every day.

Finding My Voice

One of the biggest things I took away from the experience was realizing that the lessons we learn in the kitchen often apply far beyond it.

Leadership. Persistence. Creativity. Adaptability.

These are things every chef learns over time, sometimes the hard way.

Sharing those lessons with others reminded me that our experiences, even the difficult ones, can have value for someone else who may be walking a similar path.

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The Conversation That Followed

After the keynote, we opened the room for a Q&A session, and that’s where things became even more interesting.

Speaking from a stage allows you to prepare your thoughts ahead of time, but a Q&A puts you in a completely different place. The group asked thoughtful questions and challenged me in ways I couldn’t rehearse for. It required me to think on my feet, reflect in real time, and share honest answers based on my experiences.

Those moments often end up being the most meaningful part of any conversation.

Following the discussion, we held a giveaway for copies of my cookbook, Making It Delicious. I had the opportunity to sign the books and spend a few minutes speaking with each of the winners.

What stood out to me most was how many people came up afterward to share that something in my story resonated with them. For some, it was the lessons about resilience. For others, it was the idea of leading with intention or the reminder that the energy we bring into a room truly matters.

Hearing those reflections reminded me why sharing our experiences can be so powerful. You never know which part of your story will connect with someone else.

What This Experience Meant to Me

Giving that keynote was both humbling and empowering.

It reminded me that the journey we take in this industry can reach places we never expected. The work we do, the risks we take, and the stories we carry all shape the way we show up in the world.

For me, it was another reminder that growth often comes from saying yes to opportunities that feel just a little bit outside of your comfort zone.

And sometimes, the same courage it takes to run a busy kitchen is the courage it takes to stand on a stage and tell your story.