Step into the kitchen, and the boardroom, with a visionary chef who’s redefining what fast food can be. Daniel Patino, Co-Founder and Executive Chef at Salad and Go, shares how his early passion for cooking, shaped by his grandmother and his service in the Marine Corps, evolved into a mission to make healthy food accessible to all.

In this episode, Daniel walks through his journey from fine dining at The French Laundry to scaling a drive-thru salad concept across the country. He breaks down how organization, leadership, and consistent presence in the field have helped maintain quality and culinary excellence in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. Whether you're in foodservice, operations, or team leadership, this one’s packed with practical inspiration.

Takeaways:

• How military discipline and leadership skills translated into culinary operations.
• Why produce should be treated as the main event, not a side dish.
• What it takes to shift from fine dining to large-scale food production without losing quality.
• Why customer feedback is essential to menu innovation and long-term success.
• How educating younger generations can shape future food choices and brand loyalty.

Quote of the Show:

• “Presence, will equal your consistency and you're gonna get honest feedback of what's good and what's not” - Daniel Patino

Connect with Daniel:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-patino-741a92121/
• Company website: https://www.saladandgo.com/menu/#featured-menu

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267
• Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast