He Spent Decades in the World’s Best Kitchens. Here’s What Actually Matters

Chef JKP sits down with Rick Gonzalez, Executive Chef at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, and Florian van Dillen, Head Chef at Farmhouse by Syrco, for two conversations about the experiences, kitchens, risks, and people that shape a chef’s career. Rick shares how growing up around his father’s Spanish restaurant in New York shaped his relationship with food and hospitality. From discovering professional kitchens and training in Switzerland to working in Michelin-starred environments and building an international career, he reflects on the standards, mentors, and decisions that shaped the chef he became. Then, Chef JKP sits down with Florian, whose journey began in professional kitchens in the Netherlands before becoming a sous chef, opening his own restaurant, and eventually making the difficult decision to sell it. He shares what ownership taught him about the business behind restaurants, why great food alone isn’t enough, and what brought him to the Middle East and Farmhouse by Syrco. Together, the conversations explore two very different paths through hospitality and what it really takes to build a lasting career in food. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE • How Rick’s father and Spanish heritage shaped his relationship with food • The kitchen experience that made Rick want to become a chef • Training in Switzerland and working in a two Michelin-starred kitchen • Building an international career across different countries and cultures • How Florian entered professional kitchens at just 16 • Becoming a young sous chef and learning how to lead a team • The reality of opening, running, and eventually selling his own restaurant • Moving to Ras Al Khaimah and joining Farmhouse by Syrco CHAPTERS 07:48 The Kitchen That Made Rick Want to Become a Chef 13:09 Moving to Switzerland & Working in a Two Michelin-Star Kitchen 21:15 Building a Global Career Through Four Seasons 48:32 Moving to the Middle East & Entering a New Chapter 01:20:10 The Lessons Rick Took From a Lifetime in Hospitality 01:40:50 Florian: Starting in Professional Kitchens at 16 01:49:32 Becoming a Sous Chef & Learning to Lead Young 01:57:41 Opening His Own Restaurant 02:11:30 Why He Decided to Sell the Restaurant 02:23:07 Moving to Ras Al Khaimah & Farmhouse by Syrco 02:36:03 How the Middle East Dining Scene Compares to Europe FEATURED GUESTS Rick Gonzalez Executive Chef The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert   / chefrickg_   Florian van Dillen Head Chef, Farmhouse by Syrco The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert   / byflipp_uae   SEASON 13 PARTNER This season is proudly sponsored by Elle & Vire Professionnel, trusted by chefs around the world for exceptional French dairy products shaped by decades of expertise and craftsmanship. Elle & Vire Professionnel Middle East   / ellevirprofessionnel_me   AUDIO PARTNER RØDE https://rode.com/ SUPPORT THE SHOW Chef JKP Thermos Flask https://chefjkp.com/product/jkp-therm... FOLLOW CHEF JKP Instagram:   / chefjkp   LinkedIn:   / chefjkp   TikTok:   / chefjkp   Website: https://chefjkp.com/ Food is Memories™️ 🍸 #chefjkp #thechefjkppodcast #rickgonzalez #florianvandillen #farmhousebysyrco #cheflife #hospitality #culinarycareer #finedining #rasalkhaimah