Ben Shewry is head chef and owner of multi-award winning restaurant, Attica. Attica offers guests an immersive experience that showcases Australia’s unique cuisine, and has been featured multiple times in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, won The Age Good Food Guide’s Restaurant of the year 3 times – and has also been named the Best Restaurant in Australia. Along with awards, Ben himself has also won Chef of the Year twice, earned Attica 3 Michelin stars, and has been featured on the Netflix Series Chef’s Table. But even more impressive than the list of accolades and awards, is the way that Ben chooses to lead and run the restaurant. Rejecting the stereotypical role of a Head chef who stands at the pass yelling at people, Ben has built a high performing workplace by expecting high standards from his staff, while creating an inclusive environment where people want to come and work. I asked Ben to come on the podcast after reading his book Uses for Obsession. A memoir of his experience in the hospitality industry – that also offers valuable life lessons on every page. This is a conversation about more than food – it’s about integrity, obsession, speaking truth to power, and how it’s possible to succeed while maintaining a sense of self and humanity. I hope you enjoy this conversation with the remarkably creative – and one of the culinary world’s most inspiring voices – Ben Shewry.