From Colcannon to Culture: Leading With Flavor, Humor, and Heart

WHAT DO COLCANNON, CROWN ROYAL BAGS, AND CULINARY COMPETITIONS HAVE IN COMMON?  

They’re all part of Ryan’s journey—one marked by resilience, reimagination, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. A recent conversation with this year’s IFMA Silver Plate winner reminded me how leadership is more art than title—and how the best leaders blend humility, mentorship, humor, and high standards to inspire their teams.

5 FUN FACTS  
 

Go-To Recipe – Colcannon

You can’t go wrong with these supercharged Irish potatoes with cabbage, Irish bacon, and fresh scallions—a favorite from his time working in Ireland.

Culinary Superpower – Elevating and inspiring his team

Ryan is passionate about helping others grow and creating opportunities for others to advance their careers.

Least Favorite Healthy Food – Steamed vegetables

Steamed vegetables are just too plain, in his opinion. They need something on them. He often sees steamed vegetables used as a default in healthcare, but believes there are so many ways to add flavor. “Can’t we at least roast or marinate them? We should be thinking about vegetables the same way we think about proteins.”

Culinary Bucket List Item – Ice carving

Ice carvings have always impressed him with their wow factor for events. Learning how to do it is high on his culinary bucket list. “I’m sure there are  YouTube tutorials —and ideally, I’d want to make it a team activity so we could learn together.”

Beverage of Choice – Coke Zero (and Crown Royal)

When it comes to an adult beverage, he enjoys exploring different Crown Royal flavors, especially apple. He appreciates that each bottle comes in a matching gift-like pouch.

COMMON THEMES AMONG FELLOW SILVER PLATE WINNERS

Ryan noticed some clear patterns in this year’s Silver Plate winners.

• They all had a competitive edge and strong confidence. He said, “The winners weren’t in maintenance mode.” They pushed themselves and their teams towards excellence, always moving forward.
• Resilience was another shared trait. Most had faced setbacks or turning points and responded by pivoting and retooling.
• Innovation also stood out –  whether through technology or other enhancements to set their program apart. 

RYAN'S OWN FORK IN THE ROAD MOMENTS 

Q: Every leader has moments of doubt or choice—what was one of yours? What made it pivotal?

“I’d been moving fast in my fine dining career and had just landed my first head chef gig—until I wasn’t anymore,” Ryan shared. Financial issues hit the business, and since the owner was also a chef, Ryan was the one let go. That unexpected setback gave him space to pause and reflect. “I decided I never wanted to be in that situation again,” he said. That decision led him to healthcare—an industry that offered stability, longevity, and a better work-life balance.

But the pivot wasn’t easy. Ryan had to start in lower-level roles while he learned the ropes of a more structured, corporate environment. It was a humbling reset, but one that allowed him to focus on his leadership development. “Once I could blend culinary and leadership—that’s where the magic happened.”

His path in healthcare also came with more role challenges.  “I could’ve accepted the setbacks  and stuck to a basic path,” he said. "Instead, I became more driven, and self-motivated than ever before.”

That mindset pushed him to take risks. One of the most pivotal was entering his team in a statewide culinary competition—going up against established restaurant teams. Not only did his team win, but they also brought new respect and visibility to his healthcare culinary program. “Fighting through those setbacks made me better—and it strengthened our team and our presence in the organization.”

CULTURE, LAUGHTER, AND TEAM POWER  

Ask Ryan what keeps his team strong, and he’ll tell you it starts with laughter. “We laugh a lot together,” he said. “Some of my hardest laughs have been at work. It builds a bond. We’re a collaborative group and that includes having fun together.”

His team brings diverse backgrounds and perspectives to the table, something he sees as a strength. “If we were all the same, it would be pretty plain Jane and boring,” he said. But what unites them is a shared vision. “We’re not here just to plop potatoes on a plate. We’re here to be the best. This isn’t just a hospital job for the pay or the benefits—it’s about pride and purpose.”

That mindset has helped shape their culture—and that culture continues to grow. “We ask, ‘Is what we’re doing going to get us to the best?’ That’s our filter.”

Since COVID, Ryan says the team has done a good job of hitting the reset button. One of their recent wins was a viral Facebook post from someone treated in their emergency department—shared with over 165,000 followers and filled with positive comments and photos. The team celebrated that moment. “This is our why,” Ryan said. “It validates our purpose.”

Leadership, for Ryan, means blending roles. “In this industry, there are fewer hard lines between kitchen and operations. You must understand the bigger picture—and how to adapt.” Post-pandemic, one word became a guiding force for his team: reimagine. “Too many people wanted to go back to the way things were. But reimagining is how you grow. The most successful people I’ve seen know how to reimagine—what’s possible, what could be better.”

Ryan wants to be known as someone that has made a difference and changed the perception of healthcare foodservice. He is very proud that he or his culinary team can go out in their chef coats into the community and have great conversations with people about our food and experiences. “That is my why and why I stay.”

IN RYAN'S WORDS: CAREER ADVICE FOR EMERGING LEADERS

• Don’t just come to work and do your job and play it safe. Soak things up like a sponge in your career. When you feel like you are doing your job to your best, don’t be afraid to take on something else without getting compensation right away. Compensation is an outcome. Too many people are after the title and money rather that how you are growing and learning.
• As a chef manager, food is just one part of the equation. I had to learn how to balance being a chef with being a manager. You can’t be all chef and no leader. It won’t work.
• Learn from mistakes and don’t be afraid to make them. You will get better because of them.
• Build strong interpersonal skills. Get to know the people you are working with so you can build rapport and trust.
• Don’t fret about leading – take on a project, grab the reins, and show ambition.
• Expand your horizons outside the workplace – be involved professionally in some way. Network with others so you can push yourself to grow. Be brave and ask questions. Build relationships beyond LinkedIn connections. Pick up the phone and talk with someone because you can learn something from everyone.

Ryan also shares his mom’s advice to him. “You are who you hang out with!” He has built professional relationships with people who pushed the envelope and were the best. “I can be guilty by association in a good way.” 

ROYAL CROWN OUTTAKE: WHAT'S IN THE BAG?

What do you do with those Crown Royal pouches?

If you’re Ryan, you turn them into portable charger bags. He never lets his phone dip below 70% and always carries backup chargers—tucked neatly into one of these signature pouches. “They’re the perfect size,” he says. “And I keep extras to share. You never know who might need a charger.”

Over time, Ryan learned he wasn’t the only one with this hack. While going through TSA, he spotted the man in front of him pulling out a familiar bag filled with charger cords. And one of his proudest moments? Seeing his son do the same thing—an unspoken nod to his influence. “Proud dad moment,” he said with a grin.

To some, it’s just a clever workaround. But for Ryan, it says a lot more. It’s how he leads: resourceful, thoughtful, and always one step ahead. He doesn’t wait for a problem to show up—he’s already found the fix and packed a few extra, just in case someone else needs help too.

FINAL THOUGHTS: MORE THAN JUST A JOB

In a world where playing it safe is often the default, Ryan reminds us that growth happens when you lean into discomfort and reimagine what’s possible. His leadership journey isn’t defined by titles—it’s shaped by curiosity, conviction, and care for the people around him.

He’s shown that true leadership means staying charged—literally and figuratively. It means showing up prepared, thinking ahead, and sharing what you’ve got so others can shine too. Whether he’s mentoring a team member, sparking laughter in the kitchen, or handing over a spare phone charger from a Crown Royal pouch, Ryan leads with intention – grounded in his why and driven by purpose.