In this episode of CULINARY MECHANIC, Simon Zatyrka connects with Don Christie, a culinary leader currently managing food operations at Raffe Hotels in Fiji.

Don shares his journey from starting as a kitchen hand in Australia to leading culinary operations across prestigious establishments worldwide, including Michelin-starred restaurants in London, remote islands in Thailand, and luxury resorts. The conversation explores kitchen culture across different countries, the importance of understanding cultural backgrounds of staff, and how leadership styles impact team performance.

Don emphasizes the value of resilience, adaptability, and always prioritizing the guest experience, particularly in remote locations where resources can be limited. The episode offers valuable insights on navigating kitchen leadership in multicultural environments and maintaining quality standards regardless of location challenges.

Don Christie is an expat Australian chef running three resorts in fiji. Passionate about japanese culinary and south east asian flavours. Building people up in 2025 and driving safe profitable outlets.

Connect with Don

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefdonchristie/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donchristie/

Connect with Simon

Email: [email protected]

Book a Call: https://calendly.com/culinarymechanic/connect

Website: https://www.simonsez.me/

If you're interested in Starfish: https://www.usestarfish.com/