LIMITLESS Leaders Toolkit: Confidence, Resilience & Professional Identity-Leading with Grit and Perseverance

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This podcast episode of ASPS University’s Leadership Conversations features Dr. Gordon Lee and Dr. Vikram Sharma speaking with Michelin-starred chef Andrew Pern, chef patron of the Star Inn in North Yorkshire. Pern reflects on how his leadership style developed from an early age, beginning in childhood when he helped cook for his mother after she developed multiple sclerosis. Growing up on a farm and in a rural community exposed him to strong food traditions, seasonal ingredients, and hard work. Sports, especially rugby and team captaincy, also shaped his leadership and ability to manage diverse personalities.<br /><br />Pern describes his career path from catering college to training in France, then rapidly advancing to head chef by age 21. A central leadership lesson for him has been delegation—building strong teams, empowering staff, and developing future leaders. He compares kitchen management to conducting an orchestra, emphasizing mise en place, attention to detail, and constant coordination during busy service.<br /><br />The discussion explores Michelin stars, including the consistency, local sourcing, and “heart and soul” needed to earn and retain them. Pern also shares the difficult period when his restaurant lost its star after a norovirus outbreak and business changes, and how resilience, community support, and persistence helped him win it back.<br /><br />Other themes include mentorship, staff wellbeing, adapting to labor shortages, and balancing high standards with a family-like workplace culture. The episode draws strong parallels between restaurant leadership and surgical leadership: teamwork, adaptability, professionalism, and caring for people over the long term.

Keywords

leadership

Michelin star

delegation

teamwork

mentorship

resilience

kitchen management

staff wellbeing

hospitality

surgical leadership