Eli Kulp’s journey to becoming a culinary leader started with a simple goal: a dirt bike. At 14 years old, growing up in the picturesque, rural town nestled in Washington State’s Cascade foothills, Eli took a job at a local restaurant to fund his dream. Little did he know, this decision would mark the start of a lifelong career in the kitchen.
On a recent episode of The meez Podcast, Eli shared his inspiring story with host Josh Sharkey, discussing life, loss, and his relentless pursuit of excellence in the kitchen. Eli’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience and reinvention, offering valuable lessons on how to redefine purpose in the face of unimaginable challenges.
A Journey Sparked by Curiosity
Eli began his culinary career in high school as a busser and dishwasher. What started as a way to fund his dirt bike evolved into a passion that carried him through high school and beyond. The kitchen’s energy captivated him—the camaraderie, the intensity, and the creativity of cooking all drew Eli in. Before long, he was hooked.
Spending his teenage years alongside gritty industry veterans, Eli found himself learning from unpolished but fiercely dedicated cooks. These mentors weren’t trained in elite culinary schools but had gained their skills through experience and tenacity. This rough-and-tumble environment offered Eli a crash course in resilience and resourcefulness—traits that would define his career.
Before transitioning to high-end kitchens, Eli honed foundational skills in corporate kitchens. Here, he learned essential lessons about food costs, labor management, and scheduling—key elements that keep a restaurant afloat. Balancing creativity with business acumen became second nature as he navigated this phase of his career.
From Culinary School to Best New Chef
At 25, Eli took a leap of faith and enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). Unlike many of his younger classmates, Eli brought a level of focus and determination that set him apart. His externship at Oceana under Cornelius Gallagher proved pivotal, teaching him unparalleled attention to detail. Eli’s time in New York’s top kitchens, including Del Posto and with the Major Food Group, solidified his reputation as a chef of exceptional talent and vision.
Eli’s dedication paid off in accolades: James Beard Award nominations, recognition as Food & Wine's Best New Chef, and "Chef of the Year" honors from both Eater and the Philadelphia Inquirer. Co-founding High Street Hospitality Group, Eli channeled his creativity into shaping Philadelphia’s vibrant food scene, with restaurants celebrated for their inventive menus and warm atmospheres.
A Life-Altering Tragedy and a Finding New Purpose
In 2015, Eli’s life changed forever when he was paralyzed from a spinal cord injury sustained in an Amtrak accident. The aftermath was grueling—physically, emotionally, and professionally. Yet, instead of retreating, Eli embraced his new reality, finding strength in gratitude and purpose.
“Tragedy reshapes your perspective,” Eli reflects. “But you don’t have to wait for tragedy to find gratitude or reframe what’s truly important.”
For Eli, the emotional and physical challenges were compounded by the loss of his professional identity. As a chef, he was accustomed to the physicality of the kitchen and the camaraderie of the culinary world. When that was taken away, he found himself disconnected from a community that had once been his family. The pressure to stay relevant in an industry he loved weighed heavily on him, especially after losing the opportunity to work in the kitchen.
But Eli didn’t let this void consume him. Instead, he turned to podcasting—a medium that allowed him to stay connected to the culinary world, share his story, and engage with chefs across the industry. What started as a way to stay busy and maintain relevance soon became a powerful platform for Eli. With two podcasts and numerous live events under his belt, Eli was able to reignite his connection to the industry and his passion for food.
Podcasting with The Chef Radio Podcast and Delicious City Philly not only provides an outlet for Eli to share his experiences, but it also opened the door to meaningful collaborations, including charity events that raised substantial funds. This reinvention of purpose, through the lens of podcasting, showed Eli that even if you can’t follow the traditional path, you can still forge new ways to contribute and create impact.
Beyond podcast, today Eli maintains his leadership role as the Director of Culinary at High Street Hospitality, mentors his team, and continues to innovate. His culinary expertise has enabled him to build a team of professionals at all locations who perform at the highest level.
10 Lessons in Resilience and Culinary Leadership
Resilience isn't just a buzzword—it’s a core trait that chefs develop over years of facing tough, high-pressure situations. Chefs are resilient because the kitchen demands it. After a rough service or a failed dish, you don’t have the luxury of quitting. You show up the next day, ready to tackle the challenges again.
In life, the same applies. Whether you're recovering from a physical injury or dealing with emotional pain, resilience allows you to keep going even when things seem insurmountable. Eli’s own journey after a catastrophic injury is a testament to this resilience. He didn’t let his struggles define him; instead, he found new ways to channel his energy and passion.
Everyone encounters moments that can either make or break us. But how we respond to these challenges shapes our lives and determines our growth. This philosophy is something Eli understands deeply.
Here's what we can learn from his resilient spirit.
1. Explore a Path Beyond What You Already Know
Ikigai, the Japanese concept of "a reason for being," emphasizes the harmony between what you love, what you're good at, and what the world needs. For Eli Kulp, his early years as a chef were fueled by a passion for food and a commitment to excellence.
After his injury, however, he was forced to redefine his purpose. Kulp found fulfillment in sharing his knowledge and experiences through his podcast, which supports others in the culinary industry as they navigate their own challenges. This shift from chef to podcaster and mentor demonstrates how finding a new purpose can be a crucial step in moving forward after a life-altering event.
This story underscores an important lesson: when life takes an unexpected turn, the way forward often lies in rediscovering or reinventing your purpose.
2. Your Community and Connections Are Powerful
Eli’s recovery journey was not just about overcoming physical limitations but also about navigating the emotional turmoil of a fractured family life. Through it all, his connection to his son became a grounding and transformative force. There’s something profoundly motivating about knowing someone depends on you. In moments of hardship, the love and responsibility we feel for others often become the anchors that give us the strength to carry on.
This sense of connection is not limited to family—it extends to the communities we build around us. As Eli’s journey highlights the importance of purpose and connection, Kulp’s work through his podcast demonstrates how fostering a sense of belonging can be a lifeline. Chefs from all over the world share their stories, challenges, and advice, creating a network of support and solidarity.
Whether within a family, among friends, or through a professional community, knowing you’re not alone can make all the difference. Purpose and connection provide not just comfort but also the courage to keep moving forward, even in life’s darkest moments.
3. Embrace What You Can Control
It’s easy to become consumed by the things we can no longer do, but Eli’s journey teaches us that the key to survival often lies in what we still have control over—our mindset and actions.
When life knocked Eli down, he chose to focus on what he could still contribute. Despite his physical limitations, Eli didn’t give up on being a leader or a coach. These roles gave him a sense of purpose, especially in the early, darkest days of his recovery. Instead of dwelling on what he couldn’t do, Eli redirected his energy toward the things that brought him joy and fulfillment—like helping others grow and leading from a place of experience.
4. Find Strength in Acceptance
One of the toughest aspects of facing a traumatic experience, like Eli’s spinal cord injury, is accepting the reality of what’s been lost. There’s no getting around it—grief and loss are painful. But Eli’s story also highlights the healing power of acceptance. It’s through accepting his new reality and grieving the things he could no longer do that he found the strength to move forward.
In the face of trauma, it’s easy to fall into despair and self-pity. However, Eli’s journey teaches us that sometimes we must let go of the life we thought we would have and embrace the life we have now. This doesn’t mean giving up on our dreams or losing hope—it means shifting our perspective and finding new ways to pursue purpose and fulfillment.
5. Small Steps Are Still Progress
One of the most valuable lessons from Kulp’s story is the importance of incremental progress. When faced with a setback, it can be tempting to get discouraged by how far you still have to go. But Kulp emphasizes that even small, consistent steps add up over time. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, learning a new skill, or building a new career, progress is still progress.
His approach to his podcast is a perfect example of this mindset. He never imagined that a podcast would turn into a live charity event raising $35,000, but through small, consistent efforts, he found a new purpose and a way to give back. This mindset can be applied to any area of life—keep moving forward, even if it’s just an inch a day.
6. Continuous Improvement is Possible
At the heart of Kulp’s philosophy is the idea of continuous improvement, or Kaizen. This Japanese principle of "constant improvement" is not about achieving perfection but about striving to do better every day. Whether you're perfecting a dish or fine-tuning your personal or professional life, the goal is not to reach an endpoint but to continuously grow.
This mindset is liberating because it allows us to appreciate the journey. As Kulp puts it, achieving 90% of a goal might be easier, but it’s the last 10%—the attention to detail—that separates the great from the mediocre. The process of striving for excellence, even when it seems unattainable, is what makes life fulfilling.
7. Fulfillment in the Chase, Not the Destination
As chefs, Eli admits that there’s often a constant search for the next big thing— the next dish, the next signature recipe that will define your legacy. This endless pursuit of the “next high” can be an addiction, where satisfaction is fleeting, and fulfillment feels just out of reach.
However, Eli urges fellow chefs (and anyone in a demanding career) to recognize that fulfillment doesn’t always come from external accolades or breakthroughs. It can come from the journey itself—embracing the daily process, learning new things, and simply enjoying what you do. Instead of constantly chasing the next achievement, start finding fulfillment in the present moment.
8. Happiness Is a State of Mind
For many, the pursuit of happiness can feel like chasing a mirage. Eli’s realization is profound: happiness is not a straight line. It’s a mindset that needs to be cultivated. There will be days when things aren’t going well, but recognizing those tough moments and accepting them as part of life can help you bounce back more resiliently.
Happiness, like purpose, requires action. Sometimes, you have to actively choose to shift your mindset and find contentment, even on challenging days. Cultivating a resilient mindset will allow you to see the bigger picture, and happiness will follow
9. Don’t Settle for Mediocrity
Your environment and the people you surround yourself with matter. If you’re surrounded by mediocre people, it’s easy to fall into the trap of mediocrity yourself. You can’t reach your fullest potential if you’re constantly compromising or working for people who don’t inspire or support your growth.
Find people who challenge you, inspire you, and motivate you to push your limits. Whether it’s a mentor, a leader, or a team, choose the right company—because the right relationships can push you towards success and fulfillment.
10. Focus on the Present
As Eli wisely states, “Yesterday’s gone. Tomorrow’s not promised. Today’s a gift.” This mindset—focusing on the present moment—helps us stay grounded in the face of adversity. It’s easy to get lost in what could have been or what might be, but true healing comes when we accept the here and now. By embracing the present, we can make the most of what we still have, nurturing our relationships, careers, and passions.
Conclusion
Eli Kulp’s story—from a small-town kitchen to the heights of culinary success and through life-altering adversity—is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for growth and reinvention. His insights on purpose, resilience, and continuous improvement offer inspiration not just for chefs but for anyone striving to live a meaningful life.
As Eli continues to mentor others and share his journey, he exemplifies the transformative power of embracing life’s challenges and finding fulfillment in the process. His story reminds us that purpose is not a destination but a journey—one that can lead to profound impact and lasting legacy.
Listen to the full episode of The meez Podcast featuring Eli Kulp.
