Meet Courtney Storer: Culinary Genius, Chef, and Culinary Producer of The Bear

Welcome to Second Life, a podcast spotlighting successful women who've made major career changes—and fearlessly mastered the pivot. Hosted by Hillary Kerr, co-founder and chief content officer at Who What Wear, each episode gives you a direct line to women who are game changers in their fields. Subscribe to Second Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts to stay tuned.

Courtney Storer is a modern culinary genius. As an esteemed chef and culinary producer for the hit FX TV show The Bear, Storer's unique perspective on the culinary world has set the show apart. In fact, since its debut last summer, the show has garnered immense popularity, and its highly anticipated second season recently premiered on Hulu. Storer plays a vital role as the culinary producer, providing expertise and guidance on various aspects of the show's culinary scenes. From honing the actors' knife skills to ensuring their seamless movements in the kitchen, Storer's attention to detail and commitment to authenticity shines through. She also lends her expertise to fine-tuning the industry jargon in the show's scripts, contributing to its uncanny accuracy.

For Storer, food has always been a passion. Her culinary journey began after a bold career transition away from Human Resources at UPS and Whole Foods to pursue her passion for food. She enrolled in culinary school and gained extensive experience in renowned kitchens, including Verjus in Paris and Animal in Los Angeles. Eventually, she assumed the role of culinary director at the acclaimed Italian-American Jon and Vinny's eateries, where she dedicated six years to elevating the business's culinary offerings and establishing its iconic reputation.

In 2020, Storer made the significant decision to step away from the intensity of professional kitchens and ventured into the realm of private cheffing. It was during this period that her brother, Christopher, approached her with an idea for a TV show—the very show that would later become The Bear. The rest, as they say, is history.

Listen to the latest episode of Second Life to hear about Storer's experiences on The Bear and her impact on the culinary world.

Next: Meet Emira D'Spain, a Beauty Influencer and Model Who Is Changing the Industry