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On this episode, Ragnar speaks with Jasmin Parks-Papadopoulos, Chief Growth Officer at CHOW (Culinary Hospitality Outreach Wellness) and a former chef turned certified life coach. They discuss the unique challenges faced by hospitality workers, community support, and trauma-informed tools—all aimed at promoting a sustainable and healthier work environment. Learn how CHOW is transforming the mental wellness conversation in hospitality on Episode 114: Prioritizing Mental Health – Wellness Tools for Chefs and Hospitality Workers with Jasmin Parks-Papadopoulos.
From being deeply rooted as a chef in a multigenerational hospitality family to transitioning into a life coach and advocate for wellness, Jasmine shares her insights into improving mental health and wellness, fostering community connections, and enhancing recovery practices within the hospitality realm.
Explore how CHOW’s peer-to-peer support meetings, educational resources, and social initiatives are making a difference and redefining wellness in one of the most demanding fields.
“Hospitality workers have more words for food than they have for their feelings. We want to check in with each other because in order to go where you are going, it’s important to know where you’re starting out. We have a very heavy culture of disincentivizing self care.”
Jasmin Parks-Papadopoulos
Tune in and LEARN:
- Wellness Advocacy in Action: Hear how Jasmine and CHOW are addressing mental health and wellness in the hospitality industry, and leading a powerful movement to support wellness in the food, beverage, and hospitality industry through tailored resources, peer-to-peer support, education, and community initiatives.
- Global Community Engagement: Discover how CHOW’s hybrid meeting models and global reach allow chefs and hospitality workers worldwide to connect, share experiences, cultivate a supportive community, and foster a healthier workplace culture.
- Building Long-Term Mental Health Tools: Learn about the tools and programs CHOW provides, such as wellness coaching and confidential space for meaningful conversations, that support long-term mental health and personal development for individuals across the globe.
Resources
Allowing for someone else’s experience to become your roadmap can be beneficial to you. It’s what this community is all about.
Jasmin Parks-Papadopoulos
CHOW prides itself on being a Resource Broker and knows that finding the right resource can be an overwhelming process. Check out chowco.org/resources for CHOW’s resource toolkit.
For more on mental health and wellness in the hospitality industry, check out:
- Understanding Eating Disorders with Dr. Eva Trujillo
- Be Kind to Hospitality with Gordon McIntyre, Founder of Hospitality Health
- Stress in the Kitchen with Wonda Grobbelaar, Training Expert and Researcher
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About Jasmin
I am Jasmin Vitolo Parks-Papadopoulos, former toxic Chef, currently Certified Life Coach. For years I struggled with High Functioning Anxiety, and it wasn’t until I delved deep into my behavioral patterns and life choices, that I could see how my most harmful traits and habits were nestled into the profession I had chosen. A product of the Great Resignation, I came to CHOW in 2020 for support in detaching myself from an industry that I had hidden my discomfort in for so long. I needed to find new ways forward and surround myself with people, like myself, who were struggling to establish their identity and support their mental health.
Now as a part of the CHOW team, I am passionate about building an interactive community that extends everyone the accepting and warm welcome I received when joining CHOW. My goal is to increase visibility for our organization and spread the word about our message.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Jasmin Parks-Papadopoulos for joining us.
World on a Plate is supported by Nestlé Professional and our podcast sponsors.
